Sringeri is a town in Udupi District of South Karnataka. As per the legend, Sage Rushya Sringa is believed to be born in this place.
Sri Sarada Devi temple is situated in the banks of Thunga Bhadra river. There are other small sanctums and temples in the premises.
Sri Saradamba Temple
As per the legend, Sri Adi Sankaracharya had consecrated Sri Sarada Devi temple during 7th Century A.D. He was travelling in the western side of Bharat searching for a place to establish a mutt.
At the bank of Thunga Bhadra river, He saw a snake expanding itself into an umbrella to give shelter to a frog which was in the birthing of its child. Sri Adi Sankara had surmised that the sight explained the piety and greatness of the place and hence had decided to build a temple there.
Sri Saraswathi Devi had consented to be present here as Sri Udhaya Bharathi Devi. Sri Adi Sankara had sculpted a Sri Chakra on a rock and consecrated Sri Bharathi Devi on the stone in standing position.
It is believed that during 14th Century A.D, Sri Vidhyaranya, the then Sankaracharya of Sringeri had consecrated the golden vigraha of Sri Sarada Devi in sitting position.
The temple is built on the Dravidian style of architecture.
The main sanctum is in a Maha Mandapam where sculptures of Sri Durga Devi, Sri Raja Rajeshwari and other forms of Devi are depicted on the pillars. Sri Ganapathi near the pillar at the entrance is worshipped as Sri Thorana Ganapathi.
It is believed that worshipping Sri Sarada Devi would bestow the benefits of praying to Sri Brahma, Sri Shiv and Sri Vishnu.
Navarathri Festival is celebrated in a grand manner in this temple. Shatha Chandi Homa is performed on the Maha Navami day. Special Pujas are done to Sri Sarada Devi on Chithra Poornima day. On Vaisakha Krishna Prathipatha, abhishekam is done to Sri Sarada Devi. Karthika Deepam festival is celebrated by lighting lamps in the entire premises.
During Magha month, Lalitha Panchami is celebrated in a grand manner. Rathothsavam also is held in this month.
The darshan is from 06.00 A.M to 02.00 P.M and from 05.00 P.M to 09.00 P.M. The timings may vary during festivals.
Suprapadha Seva, Ashtothara Archana, Thrisathi Archana, Sahasra Nama Archana, Laksha Archana, Durga Shatha Chandi, Dhindi Deeparathana, Udaya Asthamana Puja, Swarna Pushpa Seva, Aksharabhyasam and Saraswathi Puja are the major Pujas conducted at this temple.
Aksharabhyasam, the holy ceremony to commence education is grandly celebrated at this temple.
Sri Shakthi Ganapathi Temple
This temple is situated at the south-western side of Sri Saradha temple. The darshan is from 07.00 A.M to 01.00 P.M and from 05.00 P.M to 08.30 P.M.
Panchamirtha Abhishekam, Ashtothara Archana, Sahasra Nama Archana, Pancha Kajjaya Neivedhya, Modhaka Neivedhya, Swarna Kavacha and Pradosha Puja are some of the special pujas done in the shrine.
Sri Vidhya Shankar Temple
This temple is built in the combination of Dravidian and Hoysala architecture. It is on an elevation in the smoothened rectangular shape.
The exterior of the temple is full of exquisite sculptures depicting various Deities such as Dashavathar, Durga Devi, Bhagwan Shiv, Sri Shanmuka and other Deities.
The main sanctum is on the western side. Sri Vidhya Ganapathi and Sri Durga flank the entrance of the main sanctum on either side.
Bhagwan Shiv is the presiding Deity and He is worshipped in the form of Shiv-Ling as Sri Vidhya Shankar, the God of education.
Alongside the main sanctum, there are Sannidhis for Sri Maheshwar, Sri Maha Vishnu and Sri Brahma with their respective consorts. There are smaller shrines for other Deities also in this temple.
In the eastern side of the temple, there are twelve pillars depicting the twelve Rasis. In combination, the cluster is called as Rishiya Sthamba. In the corners of the roof, there are stone chains hanging.
At the center of the temple mandapam, the roof is ornate with the sculptures of lotuses and parrots.
The Viman above the sanctum is high and is peaked by a sthupi.
The darshan is from 07.00 A.M to 01.00 P.M and from 5.00 P.M to 08.30 P.M.
Eka Vara Abhisheka, Ekadasha Vara Abhisheka, Shatha Rudrabhisheka, Panchamritha Abhisheka, Ashtothara Archana, Nava Graha Puja, Durgamba Puja, Sri Sanish chara Puja and Sri Kartha Veerya Arjuna Puja are some of the Pujas done at this temple.
The sanctum for Sri Vagheeswara Devi is situated in Sri Vidyaranya Temple.
Sri Janardhana Temple
There is a separate sanctum for Sri Janardhana in the premises. Sri Janardhana is the form of Sri Maha Vishnu.
Sri Vishnu Murthy has four arms with chakra and shank with Abhaya and Varada mudras. He is flanked by Sri Devi and Bhu Devi on either side. Sri Murthy is smeared with sandal paste. Abhishekam is done on Sri Krishna Janmashtami day with the chanting of various sukthams from the Vedas.
At the holy feet of Sri Janardhana Swamy, a copper yanthra depicted Sri Venkatachalapathy is consecrated.
Daily abhishekam is performed on Sri Vishnu Saligramam kept at the sanctum.
There is a separate shrine for Sri Sudrashana, the chakra of Sri Maha Vishnu. Outside Sri Janardhana temple, there are small shrines for Sri Anjaneya Swamy and Sri Garuda.
The temple is open from 07.00 A.M to 01.00 P.M and from 05.00 P.M to 08.30 P.M.
Sri Balasubramanya Swamy temple
This is ascribed for the worship of Sri Muruga is near the Thunga Bhadra river. Special pujas are done on all masik Skandha Sashti days. On Maha Skandha Sashti, Shatu Rudra Abhisheka is conducted. The temple is open from 07.00 A.M to 01.00 P.M and from 05.00 P.M to 08.30 P.M.
Sri Adi Sankaracharya
Near Janardhana Swamy temple, there is a separate sanctum for Sri Adi Sankaracharya. He is in meditating form with chin mudra. Panchamirtha abhisheka, Rudrabhisheka and Archana are some of the special pujas done at the sanctum.
The temple is open from 07.00 A.M to 01.00 P.M and from 05.00 P.M to 08.30 P.M.
Thunga river
At the Thunga Bhadra river bank, the statue of Naga spreading it’s hood as umbrella to the birthing frog is depicted. It is called as Kappe Sankara. Devotees worship this Vigraha as well.
Sri Sankara Mutt
Sringeri Sankara Mutt is established on the other bank of the Thunga river. We have to cross the bridge to reach there.
At the mutt, Sri Chandra Mauleeswara Linga which is the crystal spataika Linga is kept at Puja Mandapam. Sri Acharya Himself performs puja to this Linga thrice a day.
Apart from this special puja is done to Sri Rathna Garbha Ganapathi, Sri Subramanya Swami, Sri Chakra, Sri Appayya Deekshitha and other Deities.
Panchamirtha abhisheka, Rudrabhisheka and Archana are some of the special pujas done at the mutt.
The Sringeri Mutt darshan timings are from 09.00 A.M to 12.45 P.M and from 08.30 P.M to 10.00 P.M.
Full sumptuous meal is provided as Annadhanam to the devotees twice a day.
Sringeri is reachable from Mangaluru by bus or taxi. The nearest railway station is in Udupi. Apart from the temples within the premises of Sringeri Mutt, there are other temples such as Sri Malahani Kareshwara Temple, Sri Sureshwaracharya Temple, Sri Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple, Sri Malayala Brahma Temple and other temples.
