Sringeri and it's significance

Sringeri and it's significance

The origin of the matha is described in various traditional sources, including the Sankara Vijaya of Madhava. Sankara is said to have lived here for twelve out of his short life-span of thirty-two years. According to legends, Sankara and his four disciples, accompanied by Bharati, an incarnation of Goddess Sarasvati reached Sringeri on an exceptionally hot noon, and as they proceeded to the river Tunga for their ablutions, they saw a frog struggling in the blazing sun to be delivered of its spawn. A cobra, a natural enemy of frogs, had raised its hood to provide the frog with shelter and protection from the ravages of the tropical sun. Sankara was greatly moved by the sight. If there was paradise on earth, here it was where the lion and the lamb, the tiger and the cow, the cobra and the frog lived in mutual amity and peace. He turned round when, she had already stipulated, Bharati, also known as Sharada, decided to stay for good at Sringeri on the banks of the sacred river Tunga. Vishwarupa, assuming the name of Sureshvaracharya, was installed here as the successor of Sankaracharya before the latter resumed his tour to found his three pithas at Puri, Dwaraka and Badrinath. Thus the matha traces its lineage from Sureshvaracharya.

The Sringeri matha records its tradition from the 8th century onwards. The history of the Sringeri Matha since the period of Sri Bharathi Tirtha (I) and Sri Vidyaranya (14th century) onwards has been extensively documented. Most of the names from the Sringeri lineage up to Vidyaranya are also found in the Sri Guru Charitra, a 15th-century Marathi work by Gangadhara Saraswathi. Sringeri matha sources report that Sankara was born in the fourteenth year of the reign of Vikramaditya. Some believe this Vikramaditya to be the Vikramaditya II of the Western Chalukya Dynasty, which ruled from Badami in Karnataka. Others believe him to the Vikramaditya of the 1st century BC. The matha continues to flourish to this day, and governs many institutions.

Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetha

Sri Shankara Bagavathpada is the august founder of the Sringeri Sharada Pitha in Karnataka. To this day, the Pitha shines as beacon light to seekers of spiritual knowledge. At Sringeri, after seeing the strange sight on the bank of River Tunga, he decided to establish the first Pitha at Sringeri. Here he spent 12 years teaching philosophy to his disciples. The serenity of sacred Sringeri is there for anyone to see even today.

Adi Shankara installed an image of Sri Sharada over a Sri Chakra engraved on a rock on the left bank of river Tunga. It is abundant grace of Sri Sharada, the presiding deity of the Pitha, has enabled each guru to nominate his successor and ensure an unbroken secession over past 1200 years.

Sharada represent the aspects, form of the supreme absolute. She displays in her hands symbol of jar-full of nectar of immorality, a book signifying the highest knowledge. A rosary with beads, standing for the bijas from which the gross forms of universe emanate and, the chinmudra showing the awareness of the identity of jiva with Brahman.

The Crystal Linga
Since the days of Adi Shankara, the Acharyas have used for daily worship a Spatika Linga (crystal) of Lord Chandramoulishwara and a murthi of Rathnagarbha Ganapathi carved out of a small block of crystal with a ruby in the middle. The self-radiant moon which characterizes the spotless linga is a phenomenon not to be seen anywhere else. It is believed that the linga from kailash was given to Shankara by Lord Vishveshwara at kashi. It is awe - inspiring to see the acharya worshiping the linga and murthi with great care and devotion at matha. When he goes on tour, the two murthies are carried with him for puja and for bestowing welfare of devotes.

Stambha Ganapathi
Visitors have been drawn to a strange phenomenon at the ancient hill temple of Lord Malahanikareshwara in the heart of Sringeri town. A stone pillar at the entrance sounds hallow at the back and has a protrusion in the front. This resembles the figure of Sri Ganesha and it is worshipped daily in the temple.

When H. H Abhinava Narashimha Bharathi the 24th Acharya in the early 17th century visited this temple for the frist time, he noticed the absence of any Ganesha image. Immediately taking up a piece of turmeric, he drew an outline of Ganesha on the pillar and offered puja. Ever since then, the murthi has been slowly but steadily bulging out in full relief making the granite stone hallow inside.

The Stambha Ganapathi and Lord Malahanikareshwara are worshiped by the present Acharaya on several occasions, such as Mahashivarathri. Several other festivals are also celebrated at Sringeri, including Shankara Jayanthi, Vyasa puja, Varalakshmi Vratha, Vammana Jayanthi, Vidya Shankara Car festival, Sri Rama Navami, Ratha Sapthami and Subramanya Shasthi.

How to reach Sringeri

Sringeri is a serene and picturesque pilgrim center in the plateau of the Western Ghats. Situated on the bank of River Tunga in Chikamagaluru district, Karnataka state, It is about 96 Km from nearest railway station, be it Birur or Shimoga. It is 107 Km from Mangalore on the west coast.

There are buses frequently plying from these places to Sringeri. Buses also run between Sringeri and Bangalore, which is about 320Km south east of Sringeri. Though arduous, the journey is enjoyable through the undulating hills and thick forest. Sringeri is also close to other pilgrim center such as Udupi, Subramanya and Darmastala.

All vexations of the road are forgotten once you reach Sringeri. The enchanting scenic beauty, the refreshing bath in the cool waters of the Tuga, Darshana of Goddess Sharada, and the gracious blessing of Acharya leave you with sublime feeling. The matha maintains a Darmashala and several guest houses for visitors convenience.

Airway
The nearest airport is - Mangalore.

Railway
The nearest railway station is Birur on the Bangalore - Pune Railroad.

Roadway
Sringeri is well-connected by a network of roads. There are buses to Sringeri from Chikmagalur, Hassan, Shimoga, Birur, Agumbe and other places in Karnataka.

Where to stay
Sringeri offers excellent tourist accommodation and you can find maximum pleasure and comfort while at the disposal of any one of the Tourist Hotels. There are numerous Budget Hotels, Four Star Hotels and Three Star Hotels in the city of Sringeri.

Enjoy a comfortable stay while on a Tour to Sringeri at the hotels in Sringeri, offering a remarkable blend of tradition and modernity. Some of the major hotels in Sringeri are Travelers' Bungalow, Temple Guest House, P.W.D. Guest House, etc.

Food in Sringeri: Foods are really mindblowing, Temple of sringeri itself offers you free food all 3times a day. And even you can have foods near by hotels by paying. Worth for all reason.

Best Time to Visit Sringeri
To Plan and travel to Sringeri, the best time to visit is between the months of October and March. But sringeri is that place which you can go any time in a year because of its thick forest and beautiful landscape.

Languages: Kannada and English

Petrol: Chikkamagalur is the best place to fill your fuels and travel ahead to sringeri for safer side.

For information about Sringeri Math contact

The Administrator
Jagadguru Sri Shankaracharya Dakshinamanya
Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham
Sringeri - 577 139 ,
Chickmagalur District,
Karnataka, INDIA

Phone: +91-8265-250123, 250192