The Vidyashankara Temple, was built in the year 1338 A.D. It’s a one-of-a-kind stone monument that combines Hoysala (Chalukya) and Dravidian architectural traditions.
Shringeri is home to one the original Advaitha maths, founded by Shri Adi Shankara himself.
It has a long heritage and documented history dating back to the seventh century. Sureshwarachrya, a disciple of Shri Adi Shankara, was the first head of this math.
The Vidyashankara temple was built in the year of 1338 A.D.
The temple is one of a kind monument because it is entirely made of stone and combines Hoysala (Chalukya) and Dravidian architectural traditions.
Vidyashankara Temple Architecture
The structure is built on a high plinth and commands a spectacular view of the surrounding hills and slopes.
The Garbhagriha is located on the temple’s western side, with Vidya Ganapati on one side and Durga on the other. On the other three sides of the Garbhagriha, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Maheshwara appear with their consorts.
A mandapa with twelve pillars, gigantic monoliths with large figures and heavy projecting corbels on top, can be found on the eastern portion of the edifice.
The twelve zodiac signs represent these twelve pillars, which are organised in a regular order. A big circle is drawn on the floor, with converging lines indicating the direction of the shadows.
The central ceiling, which has lotus and pecking parrots, is a work of great art.
The vimana over the Garbhagriha rises majestically. The rest of the roof is a sloping channelled slab.
Animals, puranic legends, Shiva, Vishnu, Dasavatara, Kali, Shanmukha, and other deities are carved into the basement.
Chains of stone rings hang from the caverns of the great hall’s corners, a common characteristic of the Vijayanagar period.
Vidyatirtha Rathotsava
Vidyatirtha Rathotsava (also known as the car festival) is celebrated on a grand scale here. This takes place during Kartika Shukla paksha.
The festival spans for seven days from Tritiya to Navami. On the Saptami day, his Holiness performs special pooja.
The Aradhana of Shri Vidya Shankara is also performed on sashti, saptami and ashtami.
Because of its architectural splendour, the Archaeological Survey of India looks after this temple.
A damaged sandalwood idol of Sharadamba, said to have been put in the Sharadamba temple by Adi Shankara Himself, is also housed in this temple.
This idol is said to have been broken during the Muslim invasin, and Shri Vidyaranya replaced it with the current gold statue of Sharadamba.
Vidyashankara Temple Darshan Timings
The temple is open everyday. The temple remains close during 1.00 PM to 5.00 PM in the afternoon
Morning – 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Evening – 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
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