Shankaracharya Temple Srinagar
The Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar is located at Shankaracharya Hill, In this temple the main Deity is Lord Shiva and it is one of the oldest temples in Jammu and Kashmir. This Temple is named as “Shankaracharya temple” after the great philosopher Adi Shankaracharya who is believed to have visited Srinagar 10 centuries ago. The Shivling worshipped by him is in the temple. Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have attained spiritual enlightenment at this place and after this enlightenment he went out and founded the four Hindu schools of Advaita or Dwandva Tattva.
It is also known as Jyesteswara Temple, where Buddhists call it Par-Pahar. This temple has a large number of devotees all over the world. It is a bustling place with tourists from all over the world.
History of Shankaracharya Temple Srinagar
This magnificent temple was built in 200 BC by Jalauka, son of the great Indian emperor Ashoka. It was reconstructed by Gopadatta the king of Kashmir in the 1st century. The king dedicated the temple to Jyesteswara and in 1848 Hindu Maharaja converted it to Shankaracharya. A number of Persian inscriptions have been found in the temple, indicating that it dates back to an earlier period. Zain-ul-Abidin is believed to have repaired the roof that collapsed during the earthquake. The steps from the side of the Durga Nag temple were built by the Dogra king Gulab Singh and the Maharaja of Mysore is credited with installing the electrical fittings inside the temple.
The statue of Adi Shankaracharya was installed in 1961 inside the Shankaracharya temple of Dwarka Peeth. The Shiva Lingam was installed in the 19th century during the Sikh rule. During this period the temple became a centre of activity and regular services were held in its premises. The temple’s fortunes recovered in the Sikhs period when festivals like Shravan Purnima were celebrated in the temple.
Importance of Shankaracharya Temple
Several pieces of evidence suggest that the temple was once a place of Buddhist worship and was converted into a Hindu temple by the great monk and philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, who was responsible for the renaissance of Hinduism in the country. He is believed to have resided in the temple and performed severe penance to restore the tenets of the Hindu faith. The Shiva Lingam in the sanctum sanctorum is central to Adi Shankaracharya’s worship and he is said to have attained supreme enlightenment.
Construction of Shankaracharya Temple
The Shankaracharya temple is on a raised octagonal platform and has to be reached by a flight of about 243 steps, and from there another 8 to 10 steps to the temple. There are some inscriptions on the fencing walls of these steps.
Other such inscriptions can also be found inside the temple and date back to Shah Jahan. The circular room in the shape of the main shrine offers a breathtaking view of the entire valley and the world famous Dal Lake and is truly a sight to behold. The stone steps leading to the main hall of the temple were built by Maharaja Gulab Singh. The temple structure also has two small shrines built for the saints who reside here.
What is the height of Shankaracharya Temple Srinagar?
The Sankaracharya temple is situated at an altitude of 335 metres or about 1,100 feet above the surface level. Shankaracharya Temple is built on top of the hill as the most famous and smallest Hindu temple.
How many steps are there in Shankaracharya Temple Srinagar?
To get to the presiding god, there are about 240 steps to climb. Two compact sadhu shelters have been constructed here by the Dharmarth Trust. The vegetation on the slope is diverse. Apart from religious tourism, there is very little human activity on the hill.
Timings of Shankaracharya Temple Srinagar:
The Sankaracharya temple timings are this temple is open from Morning 07:00 am to 08:00 pm in the Night.
Best time to visit Shankaracharya Temple (preferred time): 09:00 am – 06:00 pm. Cars are not allowed inside the temple after 5 pm but the temple remains open till 8 pm.
This temple is open all the days in the year to worship and many pilgrims visit this shrine during the Amarnath Yatra. The view from the top of the hill is spectacular and offers an aerial view of Srinagar city.
How to Reach Shankaracharya Temple Srinagar
By Air: The nearest airport to Shankaracharya Temple is Srinagar Airport which is located 11 km away from the temple.
By Train: Nowgam railway station in Srinagar city is 17 km from the temple.
By Bus: Srinagar is easily accessible by bus and is well connected to neighbouring towns and cities.
Shankaracharya Temple Address
Boulevard Road Oppo Nehru Park, Reserve Forest Rd,
Durgjan, Srinagar,
Jammu and Kashmir – 190001, India
Shankaracharya Temple Srinagar Photos:
