Shankaracharya Temple

The Shankaracharya Temple is also known as the Jyeshteshwara Temple. It is situated on top of the Shankaracharya Hill on the Zabarwan Range in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is at a height of 1,000 feet (300 m) above the valley floor and overlooks the city of Srinagar.

Shankaracharya Temple
Shankaracharya temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DeityShiva
Location
LocationSrinagar
StateJammu and Kashmir
CountryIndia
Location in Jammu and Kashmir
Shankaracharya Temple (India)
Geographic coordinates34°4′44″N 74°50′37″E
Elevation1,852.16 m (6,077 ft)

History and development
Temple of Jyeshteswara - Shankaracharya, probably built 9th century AD. The temple overlooks Dal Lake
Photos taken in 1868 CE by John Burke (photographer)

The shrine may date to c. 200 BCE although the present structure probably dates to the 9th century AD. It was visited by Adi Shankara and has ever since been associated with him; this is how the temple got the name Shankaracharya. It is also regarded as sacred by Buddhists.[1] The temple is mentioned in Rajatarangini as Jyestheshvara Temple, written by Kalhana. [2]

The earliest historical reference to the hill comes from Kalhana. He called the mountain Gopadri. Kalhana says that King Gopaditya granted the land at the foot of the hill to the Brahmins that had come from the Arya varsha. The land grant was called gopa agrahara (Sanskrit: गोप अग्रहारः). This area is now called Gupkar. Kalhana mentions another village in the vicinity of the hill. King Gopaditya housed some of the Brahmins to a village next door. Kalhana names this village as Bhuksiravatika (Sanskrit: भुक्षिरवाटिका) (Buch’vore today). Kalhana also mentions that King Gopaditya built the temple on the top of the hill as a shrine to Jyesthesvara (Shiva Jyestharuda) around 371 BC.[3]

The Dogra King Gulab Singh (1792-1857 AD) constructed the steps to the hill from Durga Naag temple side. The Maharaja of Mysore came to Kashmir in 1925 and he made the electrical installations at the temple. In 1961 Shankaracharaya of Dwarkapeetham put the statue of Adi Shankaracharaya in the temple. In 1974 the Government of J&K constructed the road that goes to the TV antenna near the top of the hill.[4]

Soundarya Lahari

Kashmir is believed to be the seat of Shaivam, the Himalaya Mountains and Sri Kailashagiri as "The massed laughter of Sri Shiva." It was from here that the sweet nectar of Shiva's devotion spread in India and around the globe, by the spiritual works of saints like Adi Shankaracharya. Soundarya Lahari was composed by Adi Shankara atop the Gopadari Hill, after accepting the fact that the union of Sri Shiva and Devi Shakti, as in Shaktism, transpired into the Shakti-Shri Chakra, the symbol of Devi (Goddess), as Sri Yantra, as mentioned in 'Shankara Digvijay' - Life history of Shankaracharya,[5] and only when Shiva is united with Shakti does he have the power to create.[6]

Architecture and design

The Jyoteshware temple rests on a solid rock. A 20-foot tall octagonal base supports a square building on top. The terrace around the square temple is reached by a stone staircase enclosed between two walls. A doorway on the opposite side of the staircase leads to the interior, which is a small and dark chamber, circular in plan. The ceiling is supported by four octagonal columns, which surround a Basin containing a Lingam encircled by a snake.

Current status
The memorial to the Adi Shankaracharya inside the temple

The temple is used for regular worship and pilgrims visit the temple during the Amarnath Yatra.[7]

Visitor information

There are 243 steps leading up to the temple area and another 8-10 steps from there to the temple hall. Entrance to the hill is guarded by army personnel and cars are not permitted after 17:00 hours, although the temple remains open until 20:00 hours. Views of Srinagar are possible from the top of the hill.

References
  1. Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh: Tourist Guide. Anmol Publications Pvt. Limited. 1989. ISBN 9788171580149.
  2. Kalhana's Rajtarangni A Chronicle of Kings of Kasmir Volume II by M.A. Stein Published by Motilal Banarsidas Reprint 1979 Page 453
  3. Kalhana's Rajtarangni A Chronicle of Kings of Kasmir Volume II by M.A. Stein Published by Motilal Banarsidas Reprint 1979 Page 453
  4. Kashur Encyclopedia Volume one Published by Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art Culture and Languages, Srinagar 1986 Page 302
  5. Sankara Digvijaya: The Traditional Life of Sri Sankaracharya
  6. Adi Shankracharya's Visit to Kashmir
  7. "Amarnath Pilgrims reach Shankaracharya Temple". Hindustan Times. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
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