Temples in Sringeri.
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Sage Rishyasringa.. pic courtesy. Sringeri.net.
Sringeri has always been an attraction to many sages, this small town gets its name from the Sage Rishyasringa who meditated here. His father Vibandaka is also said to have meditated here. Then Adhi Shankarar established one of His Peetams here in this town.
We got down from bus in the morning and drizzle welcomed us in Sringeri. Its already the end of august and its still raining here. Got a room in Yathri nivas and thro the window could see river thunga in full form.
The newly built RajaGopuram of the temple is a spectacular one.
Goddess Sharadambal always amazes the devotee. Her calmness, Her peace, Her knowledge, Her beauty are like a magnet which pulls everyone towards Her. Many devotees were here for Aksharabhayasam. Who will not study if they are ignited under Her shadows. We had darshan of Adhi Shankarar, Thorana Ganapathi, Shakthi Ganapathy, Vidyasankarar, Durga, Sureshwarachariar, Rama.
We crossed the foot bridge and reached Guru Nivas and had darshan of Guruji. Performed paadhapuja, bikshavandhanam and came out to have lunch at the temple complex. The food served here is so delicious with a vegetable, sambar, rasam, and buttermilk and payasam.
In the evening went to Kigga a small village 10kms away from Sringeri to Sringeswara temple. Sage Rishyasringa and his wife Shantha meditated and merged with God here. The lingam here is in the shape of Rudhraksha with a small horn on the head (Rishyasringa who was born to Sage Vibandaka and Urvashi with a horn)
Sage Adhi Shankara came to Sringeri and He installed the idol of Goddess Sharadambal which is in sandal wood. She is an embodiment of knowledge. Adhi Shankara setup temples in all four directions of the temple so as to protect Her and His disciples from any harm. They are like bodyguards. These temples are maintained by Sri Mutt and they are spic and span.
In the South, a temple dedicated to Goddess Durga also known as Vana Durga. She did not look fierce but She was full of peace. Dressed in gold, She looked magnificently beautiful. Behind the Durgai, to the right is a Shiva lingam, Mallikarjuna (seems to be there even before the arrival of Adhi Shankara). The priest gave me a blouse piece, haldi, kumkum and half a dozen glass bangles and flowers. my joy was boundless.
We then went to Kere Anjaneyar temple in the west. This idol is on top of an anthill where one can see snakes even today. The priest here, confirms that there are about 300 snakes in that anthill, which do not do any harm to the people.
On our way to Kalikambal temple could see carpet of green, was a feast to the eyes.
Temple of Goddess Kalikambal, situated in the north of Sringeri, is as beautiful and calm as Goddess Sharadambal.
The Lingam that Sage Vibandaka prayed to is in Malahanikareswarar Temple which is inside the bazaar road of Sringeri, one can easily miss the temple as this is situated in the middle of shops, hotels and houses. But as you alight the 170 steps to the Shrine one could easily feel the calmness inside. Malahanikareswarar means 'Destroyer of the impurities of the soul'.
Sthamba Ganapathi. It is in this temple that, Sri Ahinava Narasimha Bharati(1599 – 1622) 24th Acharya, noticed the absence of any Ganesha image, drew a figure of Ganesha with a piece of turmeric on one of the front pillars and worshiped it. Ever since, the outlines of Ganesha have been gradually bulging out, presenting a base relief and the granite stone behind it sounds hollow inside, while over the rest of the pillar is solid.
HH Sringeri Swamigal visits Malahanikareswara Temple during Shivarathri and His Vardhanthi and performs poojai.
All these temples could be visited in two hours time by autorickshaws. The temples are normally open in the morning till 12noon and in the evening from 6 pm to 7.30pm.
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Sage Rishyasringa.. pic courtesy. Sringeri.net.
Sringeri has always been an attraction to many sages, this small town gets its name from the Sage Rishyasringa who meditated here. His father Vibandaka is also said to have meditated here. Then Adhi Shankarar established one of His Peetams here in this town.
We got down from bus in the morning and drizzle welcomed us in Sringeri. Its already the end of august and its still raining here. Got a room in Yathri nivas and thro the window could see river thunga in full form.
The newly built RajaGopuram of the temple is a spectacular one.
Goddess Sharadambal always amazes the devotee. Her calmness, Her peace, Her knowledge, Her beauty are like a magnet which pulls everyone towards Her. Many devotees were here for Aksharabhayasam. Who will not study if they are ignited under Her shadows. We had darshan of Adhi Shankarar, Thorana Ganapathi, Shakthi Ganapathy, Vidyasankarar, Durga, Sureshwarachariar, Rama.
We crossed the foot bridge and reached Guru Nivas and had darshan of Guruji. Performed paadhapuja, bikshavandhanam and came out to have lunch at the temple complex. The food served here is so delicious with a vegetable, sambar, rasam, and buttermilk and payasam.
In the evening went to Kigga a small village 10kms away from Sringeri to Sringeswara temple. Sage Rishyasringa and his wife Shantha meditated and merged with God here. The lingam here is in the shape of Rudhraksha with a small horn on the head (Rishyasringa who was born to Sage Vibandaka and Urvashi with a horn)
lush green fields on the way to Durga temple.
Sage Adhi Shankara came to Sringeri and He installed the idol of Goddess Sharadambal which is in sandal wood. She is an embodiment of knowledge. Adhi Shankara setup temples in all four directions of the temple so as to protect Her and His disciples from any harm. They are like bodyguards. These temples are maintained by Sri Mutt and they are spic and span.
In the South, a temple dedicated to Goddess Durga also known as Vana Durga. She did not look fierce but She was full of peace. Dressed in gold, She looked magnificently beautiful. Behind the Durgai, to the right is a Shiva lingam, Mallikarjuna (seems to be there even before the arrival of Adhi Shankara). The priest gave me a blouse piece, haldi, kumkum and half a dozen glass bangles and flowers. my joy was boundless.
We then went to Kere Anjaneyar temple in the west. This idol is on top of an anthill where one can see snakes even today. The priest here, confirms that there are about 300 snakes in that anthill, which do not do any harm to the people.
On our way to Kalikambal temple could see carpet of green, was a feast to the eyes.
Temple of Goddess Kalikambal, situated in the north of Sringeri, is as beautiful and calm as Goddess Sharadambal.
We then went to Kala Bhairava Temple which is in the east. Kala Bhairava is the fierce aspect of Lord Shiva. Due to rain the auto we went could not take us till the Shrine and we walked up to the Shrine ( the entire stretch was slippery) where The Lord was standing alone to give us His blessings. Kala Bhairava is worshipped as ksetra pala, the guardian deity of a
temple complex. The temple keys are ceremoniously placed at his feet
after closing the doors and taken back with his permission for opening
the doors of the main temple.
The Lingam that Sage Vibandaka prayed to is in Malahanikareswarar Temple which is inside the bazaar road of Sringeri, one can easily miss the temple as this is situated in the middle of shops, hotels and houses. But as you alight the 170 steps to the Shrine one could easily feel the calmness inside. Malahanikareswarar means 'Destroyer of the impurities of the soul'.
Sthamba Ganapathi. It is in this temple that, Sri Ahinava Narasimha Bharati(1599 – 1622) 24th Acharya, noticed the absence of any Ganesha image, drew a figure of Ganesha with a piece of turmeric on one of the front pillars and worshiped it. Ever since, the outlines of Ganesha have been gradually bulging out, presenting a base relief and the granite stone behind it sounds hollow inside, while over the rest of the pillar is solid.
HH Sringeri Swamigal visits Malahanikareswara Temple during Shivarathri and His Vardhanthi and performs poojai.
All these temples could be visited in two hours time by autorickshaws. The temples are normally open in the morning till 12noon and in the evening from 6 pm to 7.30pm.
