Shankaracharya

The Shankaracharya Temple is a beautiful and mesmerising temple that is situated on the Gopadari Hills on the south-east of Srinagar at the height of 1,100 feet above the sea level. Built in the dedication of Lord Shiva, the temple is also known as the Jyesteshwara Temple or the Pas-Pahar by Buddhists and overlooks the entire magnificent city of Srinagar. The temple is visited by thousands of devotees every year, especially for worship and during the Amarnath Yatra. A visit to the Shankaracharya Temple is a must for anyone who wants to experience pure divinity and ecstasy and spend some time in blissful solitude.The ancient temple is named after the great philosopher Shankaracharya who had visited the valley about ten centuries ago. Shankaracharya used to worship the Shiva Lingam, which is still found in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple. Information boards that are erected in and around the temple tell the visitor that Adi Shankaracharya attained spiritual knowledge at this particular place. It was after this enlightenment that he went out and formed the four Hindu schools of Advaita, or the philosophy of non-dualism.The hill on which the temple is situated was initially known as Jetha Laraka, and then later on renamed as Gopadari Hill. The structure of the Shankaracharya temple is constructed on a high octagonal platform that is approachable by a flight of steps.

The architecture and style of construction of the entire temple are quite charming. In fact, it is built in the traditional style of architecture that prevailed in those times, and this is precisely why the Shankaracharya Temple is a fascinating place for religious devotees as well as architecture students alike.

The Shankaracharya Temple dates back to 200 BC, but the present day structure of the temple belongs to the 9th century AD. Many historians and scholars believe that the temple was a Buddhist site of worship during the Buddhist era. The magnificent temple is also known as the Garden of King Solomon, and Persian inscriptions can also be found here inside the main temple. Shankaracharya visited this temple centuries ago, and since then it is associated with him. It is also believed that he was responsible for changing this temple from a Buddhist religious place to a Hindu site of worship.The Shiv ling that is found inside the temple was placed here in the 19th century during the Sikh period.

Other historians, however, are of the belief that the Shankaracharya Temple was originally built by the Hindu king Sandiman, who reigned in Kashmir from 2629 BC to 2564 BC. Repairs were later made by numerous prominent kings over a period of years. The Shankaracharya Temple is significant not only because it is built in honour of the Almighty, but also because of its striking design.

The temple has been constructed in the traditional architectural styles of those times but has undergone numerous additions and changes ever since. The regal temple is located on a raised octagonal platform and needs to be accessed via a flight of about 243 steps, and then another 8 to 10 steps from there to the temple. The fencing walls of these steps have certain inscriptions on them.Other such inscriptions can be found inside the temple too, and date back to the period of Shah Jahan. The circular chamber shaped the main shrine provides a breathtaking view of the entire valley as well as the world famous and is indeed a sight to behold. The steps made up of stone that lead to the main shrine of the temple were built by Maharaja Gulab Singh.The first-ever work of renovation that the grand temple witnessed was during the reign of Lalitaditya.

The second round of repairs was undertaken by Zain-ul-Abideen, under the rule of Sheikh Mohi-ud-Din, when the temple was destroyed in an earthquake. In the year 1925, electricity was made available at the temple. Due to the numerous repairs, the ceiling of the main chambers appears to be quite a modern one. The structure of the temple also includes two small buildings that have been built for the sadhus or saints who live here. Time has come to seek divine intervention for the Kashmir problem. Let’s pray for Peaceful Kashmir and One India Strong India on April 30 2017 Shankarajayanti at Shankaracharya hill Srinagar.

The best way to remember and follow teachings of Adi guru Shankaracharya is to pray for Kashmir on Shankarajayanti. Many sages came to Kashmir in search of knowledge.As we know Kashmir the land of sages and Saints got its name from Kashyapa muni.

8th century mystic, philosopher and founder of Vedanta school of Indian philosophy Adiguru Shankaracharya's Samadhi is just right behind Kedarnath shrine. It's been said Adi Shankaracharya who traveled across India many a times on foot, had enlightenment at Badrinath.

Saint Abhinav gupta was from here. Adi guru Shankaracharya meditated here.

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The land of knowledge and spiritualisms is disturbed today due to ignorance. Let’s restore Kashmir to its ancient glory. Let’s us all pray together to god to send a saint again who will restore Peace, Knowledge and Spiritualism back in Kashmir. #PeacefullKashmir #OneIndiaStrongIndia.

He was born to a devout Brahmin couple, Sri Sivaguru and Aryamba, as a result of their ardent prayers for a child to Lord Shiva at the famous Vadakkumnatha Temple, Trichur. Pleased with their prayers, God appeared in their dream and enquired what type of a child they wanted: whether they wanted a short-lived, good son, or a simpleton with a long life. They chose the first option.A child was born to them in the Vasanta Ritu, or the spring season, at noon in the auspicious Abhijit Muhurta and under the constellation Ardhra. They named the baby boy Shankara.Young Shankara showed remarkable scholarship, mastering the four Vedas by the age of eight. From the beginning, he was attracted towards spirituality and sanyasam, and wanted to lead a meaningful life free of worldly pleasures.When he was three years of age, he lost his father, and his widowed mother Aryamba raised him on her own. After mastering the Vedas by the age of 16, he started on his quest for truth. One day, a miracle took place.While Shankara was taking his bath in the river, his leg was caught in the jaws of a crocodile.

Horrified, he called his mother, who ran to the river bank only to see her beloved son being dragged into the water. She helplessly watched the horrific scene unfold when her son said there was only one way to get the beast to release him from its jaws: she must allow him to enter the sanyasa ashram. As there was no alternative at that moment, she agreed and the crocodile let Shankara go.Before taking leaving his mother, Shankara assured her that he would be with her in her last days and would perform the funeral rites, a promise he fulfilled in spite of the problems he faced from his community.To fulfill his spiritual path, he set out in search of a preceptor. He met his guru, Swami Govindapada Acharya, in a hermitage on the banks of the River Narmada. Under Govindapada Acharya's guidance, he mastered Yoga, Vedanta and other systems, and became a knower of the Brahman.

Shankara travelled all over India, and met the leaders of the different schools of thought.Later, at Kashi, he had a strange experience: When he was going to have his at bath in River Ganges, an outcaste came from the opposite direction with four dogs and obstructed the way. Shankara ordered him out of his path.

To his surprise, the outcaste retorted, 'O, venerable Guru! You are a preacher of Advaita Vedanta and yet you make a great difference between man and man. How can this be consistent with your teaching of Advaitism? Is Advaita only a theory?' Shankara soon realized that the outcaste (Chandala) was none other than Lord Shiva, who took this form to teach him a lesson. He immediately fell prostrate at Lord Shiva's feet.

Right then and there, Shankara composed five Slokas, called the ‘Manisha Panchaka’. Every Sloka ends thus:“He who learnt to look on the phenomena in the light of Advaita is my true Guru, be he a Chandala or be he a Brahmin.”.

Sri Adi Shankara Keerthi Sthamba MandapamThis is an eight-story memorial built by Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt. The entrance to the memorial is guarded by two elephant statues. It leads to the Paduka Mandapam.

Two silver knobs represent the padukas, or wooden sandals of the Teacher. The walls of the memorial feature framed reliefs that depict the story of Adi Shankaracharya. This shrine is open to all, irrespective of caste and religion.Sree Ramakrishna Advaita AshramThe Sree Ramakrishna Advaita Ashram is a spacious prayer hall and a shrine.Sri Krishna TempleSri Krishna Temple is a small temple known as the ancestral deity of Sree Shankara Acharya. It is located to the west of the Srigeri Mutt. It is the only surviving structure from the time of Shankara, where the poojas are conducted by Namboodhiris.Nayathodu Shankara Narayana TempleLocated 3 km west of Kalady, this shrine is an example of Advaitam in worship by Shankara Acharya.Aryadevi Samadhi MandapamThis is the resting place of Sri Shankara Acharya's mother, Aryadevi.

The teachings of Shankara can be summed up in half a verse:“Brahma Satyam Jagan Mithya Jivo Brahmaiva Na Aparah—Brahman (the Absolute) is alone real; this world is unreal; and the Jiva or the individual soul is non-different from Brahman.”This is the quintessence of his philosophy.Adi Shankara Acharya travelled widely in India and preached his Advaita philosophy wherever he went. He taught that supreme Brahman is Nirguna (without the Gunas), Nirakara (formless), Nirvisesha (without attributes) and Akarta (non-agent). Brahman is above all needs and desires.

Brahman alone is real, this world is unreal; and the Jiva is identical with Brahman.His teachings are available in the book Upadesa Sahasri: A Thousand Teachings, written by the great philosopher himself.Shankara's teachings will continue to live as long as the sun shines. For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: Show Details NecessaryHubPages Device IDThis is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons.LoginThis is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service.Google RecaptchaThis is used to prevent bots and spam. AkismetThis is used to detect comment spam.

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