Shankaracharya Temple

Jyeshteshwara Temple is another name for the Shankaracharya Temple. It is aims to empower the Shankaracharya Hill in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, in the Zabarwan Range. It's in honour of Lord Shiva. The temple overlooks Srinagar City and is located at an altitude of 1000 feet (300 m) above the valleys.

Raja Gopadatya,

Shankaracharya hill, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190001, India

History

Also recognised by Buddhists, the temple of Shankaracharya is Jyesteshwara or Pas-Pahar. It is located on Shankaracharya Hill on the mountain of Zabarwan in Srinagar, Kashmir. It is also known the Hill of Solomon. It's Lord Shiva devoted (Shri Shiv Ji). The temple overlooks the city of Srinagar at 1,000 feet (300 Meters) above the plain. The temple goes back to 200 BC, while the current building dates possibly to the 9th century AD. It was visited by and linked with Adi Shankara, and hence the temple was named Shankaracharya. Buddhists see it as precious as well. According to some historians, the temple was originally a Buddhist temple that was converted to a Hindu temple by Adi Shankaracharya during the Buddhist era. Bagh-i-sulaiman, or King Solomon's Garden, is how Persians and Jews refer to it. Inside the temple, there are also Persian inscriptions. According to Pandit Anand Koul (1924), the temple was built by the Hindu ruler "Sandiman," who ruled Kashmir from 2629 to 2564 BC, according to Koul. King Gopaditya (426–365 BC) and King Lalitaditya (697–734 A.D.) both reconstructed it. For whatever reason, Sikandar, the iconoclast, did not demolish it. The roof of Zain-ul-Abidin was repaired after it collapsed due to an earthquake. Sikh Governor Sheikh Ghulam Mohi-ud-din (1841–46) also reconstructed the dome. King Gopaditya (426–365 BC) and King Lalitaditya (697–734) renovated it. The hill is mentioned in history for the first time by Kalhana. Gopadri was the name he gave to the peak. According to Kalhana, King Gopaditya granted the Brahmins from the "Araya versh" land at the foot of the hill. “GOPA AGRAHARAS” was the name of the land grant. Gupkar is the new name for this location. Another settlement near the hill is mentioned by Kalhana. Some of the Brahmins who had eaten garlic were relocated to a nearby village by King Gopaditya. Bhuksiravatika (Buch'vore now) is the name Kalhana gives to this settlement. King Gopaditya constructed the temple on top of the hill as a shrine to Jyesthesvara (Shiva Jyestharuda) in 371 BC, according to Kalhana. The temple was established by King Gopaditya, according to Abul Fazal. Despite the fact that many specialists believe the existing temple was erected later, the majority of them believe that the structure's foundation appears to be quite old. The temple is claimed to have been repaired by Lalitaditya Muktapida (724-726 AD) of the Karakote dynasty. According to Srivara Budsah, the temple was extensively repaired by Zain-ul-Abideen (1420-1470 AD). He reassembled the Kalash (spire) and the structure's roof, which had collapsed due to an earthquake. During the Sikh control of Kashmir, the third time the temple was rebuilt was by the Muslim Governor, Sheikh Mohi-ud-Din (1842-1845). During the Sultans' reign, the hill's name was changed from Gopadri to Takhate-Suleiman. King Solomon is not known to have visited this valley according to history. During the Mughal, Afghan, Sikh, and Dogra periods, however, the name Takhate-Suleiman appears to have survived. During these times, every publication refers to the hill by that name. The peak was once climbed by Mughal monarch Jahangir and his wife, Noor Jahan, for a picnic on its peak. Noor Jahan is reported to have made pudding for her husband there, upon which Jahangir recited this poetry on the spot: ‘Shakar farosh e mann paye halva giri nishast' (My candy seller is seated to prepare the pudding). ‘Yani ki zer-i-Takhta-i-Sulaiman pari nishast,' Noor Jahan responded with an extempore poem. (As though a fairy resides beneath Solomon's Throne.) When Governor Sheikh Mohi-ud-Din repaired the temple in the mid-nineteenth century, he gave it the name Shankaracharaya. It had not been utilised as a temple for centuries, according to the evidence. It was dedicated as a Shankaracharya temple during the time, and a Shiv Lingam was installed within. People only began to have devotional services at the temple during the Sikh time, and the Shravan Poornima began to be performed there. The steps to the hill from the Durga Naag temple side were built by Dogra King Gulab Singh (1846-1857 AD). In 1925, the Maharaja of Mysore visited Kashmir and installed the temple's electrical system. Shankaracharya of Dwarkapeetham installed Adi Shankaracharya's statue at the temple in 1961. The road leading to the TV antenna on the top of the hill was built by the J&K government in 1974. The Himalaya Mountains and Sri Kailashagiri are said to be the seat of Shaivam, and Sri Kailashagiri is known as "Sri Shiva's massed laughter." Through the spiritual works of saints like Adi Shankaracharya, the delicious nectar of Shiva devotion spread throughout India and the world. Adi Shankara was made by Soundary Lahari at Gopadari hill after having accepted the fact that, as in Shaktiism, the Sri Shiva and Devi Shakti symbolized Devi, the Goddess symbol, as mentioned in the Shakti Digvijay – the Shankaracharyan history – and only when Shiva is united with Shakti has the power to be established is it composed of Sri Shiva and Devi Shakti.

194-2452691
Shankaracharya hill, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190001, India

Founder of the temple

The temple is believed to have been built in 371 BC by Raja Gopadatya, who named it Gopadri. When the famous philosopher Shankaracharya came to Kashmir to restore Sanatan Dharma, he stayed here. The temple was renamed Shankracharya temple after this incident, which occurred ten centuries ago.

Shankaracharya temple's main structure is roughly 30 feet tall. The sacred Lingam of Lord Shiva is housed in the temple's interior. The J & K Dharmarth Trust placed a white marble bust of Adi Shankaracharya near the temple on April 20th, 1961. A little marble tank made with slab stones is located behind the temple. For the comfort of pilgrims and devotees who visit the temple on a daily basis, 265 cotta-stone steps have been built. The sacred Shankaracharya temple is beautifully preserved and cared for by the Trust's President, Mr. Divakar Singh.

Architecture

This ancient temple was constructed in the early Kashmiri style of architecture, using techniques that were common at the time. The early Shihara style is visible in the building architecture and is highlighted by a horseshoe arch pattern. Muslim invaders demolished the stairs leading up the slope from the Jhelum river banks and used them to build a mosque. The temple's octagonal solid rock base is 20 feet tall, while the temple itself is square in design.The temple's square terrace and a gateway to an interior circular chamber are reached via a stone staircase. The ceiling is supported by four octagonal columns, which surround the region where the Lingam, which is encircled by a snake, is situated.

Significance of the Shankaracharya Temple

According to many reports, the temple was once a Buddhist place of worship before being converted to a Hindu temple by Adi Shankaracharya, the renowned saint and philosopher who launched the rebirth of Hinduism in the country. He is said to have lived in the temple and undergone great penance in order to refresh his Hindu faith's beliefs. Adi Shankaracharya is reported to have achieved a greater level of awareness after worshipping the Shivalinga in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Many traditions abound regarding Jesus Christ's visit to the temple, which is supported by inscriptions found within the temple, and it is thought that he may have even actually lived here for a long time.

Soundarya Lahari

The Himalaya Mountains and Sri Kailashagiri are said to be the seat of Shaivam, and Sri Kailashagiri is known as "Sri Shiva's massed laughter." Through the spiritual activities of saints like Adi Shankaracharya, the delicious nectar of Shiva's devotion spread throughout India and the world. Adi Shankara composed Soundarya Lahari atop Gopadari Hill, after accepting the fact that the union of Sri Shiva and Devi Shakti, as in Shaktism, manifested into the Shakti-Shri Chakra, the symbol of Devi (Goddess), as Sri Yantra, as mentioned in 'Shankara Digvijay' - Life history of Shankaracharya, and only when Shiva is united with Shakti does he have the power.

Deity

Shiva

	Religious Activities
	Daily Routine	The temple opens at 6 a.m. in the morning, and cars are permitted from then on. Because it is under the protection of the Army, the entrance is guarded by army soldiers. Cars are not permitted inside the temple after 5 p.m., however, the temple is open until 8 p.m.

Offering

Devotees offer milk, fruits, and flowers to the Lingam, and they chant hymns in praise of the Lord here.

Celebration/Festivals

Kashmir has traditionally been recognized as a stronghold of Shaivism. The Himalayas and Mount Kailash are nearby, and it is claimed that Shiva devotion spread throughout India from here, thanks to the spiritual activity of renowned saints such as Adi Shankaracharya. Adi Shankara erected and composed the Soundarya Lahari at the summit of Gopadari Hill, which is a rich text and poetic composition. He wrote it after understanding that the unification of Shiva and Shakti had occurred here. It is thought that when Shiva joins forces with Shakti, he gains the ability to create. As a result, the temple is very important to Shaivaites, and they celebrate Shivratri here with tremendous enthusiasm.

Guideline

Do’s &Don’t

· Inside the temple, photography and phones are not permitted. As a result, leave them in the car/cab or at their hotel before visiting.

· The temple is open until 8:00 p.m., but cars are not permitted to enter the parking lot until 5:00 p.m.

· Since there are 243 steps to climb to reach Shankaracharya Temple, it is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes and bring water with them.

Visitor Guide

To visit this temple, tourists must obtain special clearance from the army department. Jammu and Srinagar are significant cities in India, with excellent rail, air, and road facilities to the rest of the nation. Srinagar's important highways, trains, and airlines are as follows:

ROADWAYS:

The Shankaracharya Temple is easily accessible by road. There are various private bus service providers that provide deluxe bus packages from adjacent cities to Srinagar, which is connected to Chandigarh and Jammu, among other places. Package tours cost between Rs. 4/- and Rs. 5/- per kilometre.

RAILWAYS:

Jammu is the nearest railway station to Srinagar, located 290 kilometres away. The Jammu Railway Station is well connected by rail services to the country's major cities. There are direct trains from Chennai, Delhi, Trivandrum, and Bangalore.

AIRWAYS:

The Srinagar airport was linked to important cities throughout the country. Flights operate between Srinagar to Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Shimla. The frequency is usually once or twice a day, which is standard across all airlines.

Nearby Temples

Nearby Tourist Places

Srinagar is a magnificent city in the Kashmir valley that is surrounded by mountains and has a lot of natural beauty. The city is located on the banks of the holy River Jhelum and is home to a variety of temples with remarkable architectural magnificence and history. Beautiful gardens and lakes can also be found throughout the city. The Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bag, and Jami Masjid are some of Srinagar's major tourist attractions.

The following are some of the most important temples in Srinagar:

·         Pandrethan Temple, Srinagar: An antique stone structure, the Pandrethan Temple is a prominent temple associated with Emperor Ashoka and one of the city's main attractions.
·         Bhuteshwara Temple, Srinagar: Built in the 12th century, the temple is blessed with beautiful architecture and so retains tremendous significance among the locals.
·         Sharika Devi Temple near Srinagar's Hari Parbat: This temple is loaded with various magical beliefs from Hindu mythology. Sharika Devi, the presiding deity of the temple and the city of Srinagar, is also the city's primary god.
·         JwalaMukhi Shrine, Khru, Srinagar: This beautiful temple sits on a hillside and is a major tourist attraction.
·         Rameshwaram Shiva Temple in Srinagar's Jawahar Nagar: The renowned Shiva Temple is religiously significant and has links to both Hinduism and Sikhism.
·         Martand Sun Temple, Anantnag, Srinagar: Popular among devotees who visit the Amarnath temple, the Anantnag temple is a masterpiece of genius architectural labour. King Lalitaditya of the Surya (Solar) dynasty constructed this temple.
·         Mamal Shiva Temple, Pahalgam, Srinagar: The famous Shiva Temple is extremely famous among dedicated followers, and worshippers flock to the temple despite its damaged condition.

The Adi Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar is a notable and historical temple that holds unique significance for both residents and tourists. Many people visit the Lord Shiva temple, and the city of Srinagar is also a popular location for many locals and visitors. The temple is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, making it well worth visiting.