Temple Description

The ancient Sri Sharada Temple, the main deity of Sringeri, boasts a rich history that traces back to the establishment of the Dakshinamnaya Peetham by Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada. Initially, it was a modest shrine housing a sandalwood Murti of Sharada, placed over the Sri Chakra carved by Sri Adi Shankara on a rock. Later, Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha and Sri Vidyaranya commissioned a temple in the Kerala style, featuring a timber structure with a tiled roof. Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha replaced the sandalwood idol with the current golden one.

The temple was further enhanced by Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati, who constructed the present granite structure with polished granite walls around the sanctum. The new temple was consecrated by Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati in May 1916. Subsequent improvements were made by Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha, including the addition of a Mahamandapam adorned with large stone pillars intricately carved with deities such as Durga, Raja Rajeshwari, Dwarapalakas, and other goddesses, following Tamilnadu’s Shilpa Sastras.

The Murti of Sri Sharada, blessed by a continuous lineage of highly devoted and powerful Acharyas, emanates grace and blessings.