Shankaracharya Temple is one of the most revered and ancient temple of Hindus. This famous Hindu temple is situated on the zabarban range in Srinagar in the Kashmir valley of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The temple is located at elevation/height of 1000 feet above surface level of the main srinagar city. Shankaracharya mandir is dedicated to lord Shiva and is considered to be the oldest shrine of worship in Kashmir valley. This ancient shrine offers a majestic panoramic view of the Srinagar city and the mesmerizing Dal Lake. From the premises of Shankaracharya Mandir, Srinagar appears like a bowl-shaped valley, beautifully cradled by high rising mountains on all four sides. Though I have visited Srinagar city many a times but due to tight schedules I didn't get chance to visit this glorious and sacred place of worship. This temple is also one of the main pilgrimage site for Kashmiri pandits and there is huge rush of devotees especially on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. With Lord Shiva’s blessings, I had the privilege of visiting this ancient temple on 19th September. The stunning atmosphere and breathtaking views near this temple made my spiritual journey an unforgettable one. Suraj Sethi, one of my close relative and an employee of UT's Education Department, who lives at Shivpora, Srinagar, planned my visit to this pious and sacred temple of Shankaracharya which is also known as Jyoteshwara temple. He guided me throughout this wonderful and spiritual journey. It was my dream to visit this temple and have glimpses & blessings of lord Shiva. Here one can experience the scenic beauty of the Srinagar city from this temple and there is divinity in the air surrounding this sacred temple. This visit to Srinagar turned out to be a deeply spiritual and memorable journey. With the blessings of Lord Shiva, we also visited the holy Durga Nag Mandir, in the Munshi Bagh region at the base of Shankaracharya hill on our return. A temple of Goddess Durga, we also prayed inside and offered our blessings. After this spiritual visit, we finished this part of the journey with a refreshing cup of tea - we went to Krishna Dhaba (a famous place in the Srinagar area for food - known for its quality and simplicity). Spirituality, culture, and Kashmiri hospitality - this entire trip was memorable.
(Panoramic view of Hari Parvat hill from Shankaracharya Mandir, Srinagar)
History of the Shankaracharya Temple:
The exact date of when this temple was constructed is unknown, but many people believe that it was built in 200 BC by Jaluka, who was the son of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The temple was destroyed by Sultan Sikandar, the king of Kashmir who smashed the Shiva Lingam and other idols for worshipping Gods. There were many kings of different eras that restored it throughout its many wear and tear from natural and purposely caused attacks. There is general idea that many kings have fixed this temple throughout history. King Godapatta reconstructed the temple in the first century AD, and endowed it to Jyeteshwara.
Further renovations were conducted in the 5th century BC by King Gopaditya (426-365 BC) and King Lalitaditya (697-734 AD). The Dogra dynasty, particularly Gulab Singh, renovated the Durga Naag shrine here. More recently, the King of Mysore repaired electrical installations in the temple. A statue of Adi Shankaracharya was placed in the temple in 1961, set up by Shankaracharya from Dwarka peeth. The temple's existing structure was built in the 9th century AD during the Sikh rulers' reign when the Shivalinga was placed in the temple. Sikh rulers reopened the fortunes of the temple, continuing to pray, making offerings, and celebrate festivals. The temple is also called Bagh-i-Sulaiman by Jews and the Persian angle. Scholars and evidence have also determined this temple is an ancient monument because of Persian scriptures which have been discovered in the temple. Further, it is said that the temple had connections to the Jhelum river, which was located on the right bank and top of the hill by stone steps and subsequently destroyed by the Mughal emperor Jahangir.
Importance of Shankaracharya Mandir:-
Several stories relate to the Shankaracharya Temple. Believers claim that Jesus Christ had also visited this temple during his lifetime. The stairway to the temple, which leads to the shrines inside, mentions this story. There are also historical accounts that mention in writings about Jesus Christ coming to this temple in Kashmir. Some beliefs say that this temple was a Buddhist place of worship. The engraving in Persian on the temple has also made it popular. The Shankaracharya Temple is located in a Himalayan region near Mount Kailash. Devotees claim and believe that the bhakti of Lord Shiva was initiated from this region. Hence, the temple is important to Shaivism.
A lot of pilgrims visit the Shankaracharya Temple as part of the holy Amarnath Yatra. The temple has approximately 243 steps which enable the pilgrims to visit the shrine and worship in the temple. In this area, the notable saint Adi Shankaracharya wrote his famous religous text ‘Saundarya Lahiri’. The devotees celebrate Shivratri very happily in this temple by offering milk, fruits and flowers to Lord Shiva. The custom to celebrate the festival of Shravan Poornima is a key tradition of this temple.
Architecture of Shankaracharya Mandir:-
The Shankaracharya Temple exemplifies the original basic Kashmiri style of architecture. The square structure of the temple, is situated on a octagonal rock base measuring approximately 20 feet in height. The shikhara style of architecture is representative of the architecture of the building, and the horseshoe arch system utilizes draft and hone and displays this style. The ceiling of the hall where the Shiva Linga is is also supported by octagonal columns. The walls of the temple are about eight feet thick. Supporting the structure is also the basement of the temple. There are 36 stairs which lead to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, which in Hindu philosophy represents the 36 elements of the universe.
(Scripture attributed to Adi Shankaracharya at Shankaracharya Mandir)
(Meditation spot beneath Shankaracharya Mandir associated with Adi Shankaracharya)
(Zig-zag path and view of Jhelum River from Shankaracharya Mandir)
(Aerial view of Srinagar city and Jhelum River from Shankaracharya Mandir)
(Stone stairs leading up to main gate of Shankaracharya Mandir, Srinagar)
This temple is also of great architectural significance, as it highlights the Kashmiri shikhara style architecture. It is square in shape with a rock base that is 20 feet high and octagonal columns. This temple is also an important place for Indian temple forms and celebrations as it is an important destination for Hindu pilgrims, particularly around celebration times like Mahashivratri, when thousands of devotees visit. To cut a long story short, the Shankaracharya Mandir is much more than just a place of worship but it also adds to the spiritual and cultural history of the region of Kashmir. I departed with a renewed sense of peace and gratitude for my experience, and it is a memory that I will always treasure.
(Writer:- Vivek Koul, owner of this bloger site)
Links to some old blogs:
https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2025/02/purmandal-sacred-site-for-devotees-of.html
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