Sringeri is a small taluk in Chikmanguluru distt, Karnataka, It is located on bank of Tunga river. It is proud owner of the first mutta (matha) founded by Adi Shankara (9th century AD), a Hindu saint who gave the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. The name Sringeri is derived from a nearby hill Rishyashringa Giri which is believed to have contained the hermitage of Rishi Vibhandaka and his son Rishyashringa. In an episode in the Bala-Kanda of Ramayana, sage Vasishtha narrates how Rishyashringa brought rains to the drought-stricken kingdom of Romapada.
While coming by bus from Shivamogga, we can see the picturesque forest, hills and black swirling tar road adding to beauty like a snake. This exhilarates the joy and adds to spirits.
Before we commence to this pilgrimage we need to understand some concepts and about the great saints who spent some part of their life here and preached thoughts and cults of Sanatan dharma.
What is Advait and Dvait school of thought
Advait says that ultimate real of universe is Brahm and rest is maya (illusion). The main theme of Advait is “Aham Brahmasmi”- I am the supreme. I am part of that single real entity Brahma. This concept got more publicised and firm during Vijaynagar Empire time in 14th century.
Later another cult Dvait (dualism) was founded by Madhvacharya in 13th century who believed in three entities – God, jiva (soul), and jada (maya, matter).
Who was Adi Shankarcharya
In 8th century, Sanatana Dharma was challenged by many atheistic schools of thought. At this time, Lord Parmeshwara incarnated as Sri Shankara in Keladi (in Kerala) to a devout couple named Aryamba and Shivaguru. He mastered all four Vedas at early age of 8 when he took sanyaas. He wrote commentaries on principal Vedanta namely Upanishad, Bhagwat Gita and Brahma Sutra. To sustain and propagate Dharma (Hindu religion and way of life) for all times he established four peethas (Vedanta Mutt) in four directions of India in Sringeri, Dwarka, Badrinath and Puri.
Who is Mandan Mishra
I heard a lot about Mandan Mishra since childhood but came to know in Sringeri that he relates to this Mutt. He was disciple of Kumaril Bhatta (9th Century AD) and due to his knowledge he was known as ‘Mandan Mishra’ in his pre-monastic days. He was defeated by Adi Shankaracharya in debate and there after he initiated him into sanyaas and owed him name Sureshwara.
He was associated to this Mutt from 820- 834 AD. He penned Vaartika (glosses) on the works of Adi Shankarachrya on Taittireeya Upanishad Bhaasya, Brihadarnayaka Upanishad Bhaasya and Dakshinmurthy Strotam. He also wrote Panchikarana Vaartika and hence also known as ‘Vaartikacharya’. Also was author of ‘Naiskarmya Siddhi’ expounding tenets of advait.
Who is Vidyaranya
The biggest and most prominent temple in this Sharda Peetham are Vidyashankara temple and Sri Shardamba (Saraswati) temple. The present golden Vigraha was installed by 12th Acharya of Peetham Jagatguru Vidyaranya, who wrote commentaries on four Vedantas.
After the King of Warangal was defeated by Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Bukka and his brother Harihar were taken prisoners and sent to Delhi, where they both converted to Islam. Bukka and his brother eventually escaped, reconverted to Hinduism under the influence of the sage Vidyaranya, and founded the glorious Vijaynagar empire in 1336 who ruled for about 300 years. So indirectly saint Vidyaranya seeded Vijaynagar empire.
How to reach Sringeri
Shivamogga is well connected by road to major cities and towns like Mangalore, Hubli, Davangere, Bellary, Sringeri, Hyderabad, Ooty, Coimbatore, Chitradurga, Mysore, Banglore, Chickmanguluru, Udupi, Dharmshala, Hasan, Sakleshpur, Davangere, Mantralaya, Hospet, Gulbarga and Raichur etc. From Shivamogga you can take private or government buses for Sringeri from 7 AM onwards and takes 2 hours 20 minutes. The buses adhere strictly to time.
The govt bus fare is Rs.118 and private buses charge Rs. 160.
Shivamogga (SMET) is also well connected by train from Bangalore and Mysore. It is 4.5 hrs train journey from Banglore. Government and private bus stand are about 3 KM from railway station and auto charge Rs. 30 per person. Shivamogga airport is under construction since 2023. Nearest airport is Mengaluru. Buses are available from Mengaluru for Sringeri.
Where to stay in Sringeri
As I noticed that Sringeri is a small town and mainly people come for pilgrimage. Average hotels and home stays are available. If you do not have your own conveyance, better stay near the main attraction point Sharda Peeth Mutt. I advise to stay in Mutt ashram having plenty of rooms. No need to book home stays online as it could be slightly far from Mutt and conveyance will be costly. From Sringeri bus stand the Mutt is about 1 KM and auto charges fixed Rs. 30 per person.
How to avail accommodation in Ashrama for stay
We landed at main entrance gate of Mutt and were directed to reservation office in front of Mutta. We showed our aadhar card and were given 2 rooms for 7 persons for Rs. 300 each room with 24 hours checkout timing. The room was average in amenities, but was big enough to accommodate 4 persons in one room. There was a good bathroom and change room as well. There are no AC in room but fan air was enough cool even in month of March.
What to see in Sringeri and time needed
One day is enough to see Mutt. One more day needed if you see other temples in vicinity of Sharda Peeth mutt. Mainly Sharda Peeth Mutt attracts a large number of pilgrims. In mutt, the temples of Sri Sharadamba, Sri Vidyashankara, Sri Malahanikareshvara and other deities are there. The mutt is open from 5 AM till 8 PM. Mutt is in few acres with lot of temples saints, Lord Shiva and Mata Saraswati (Sharda) inside.
We entered the Mutt and it takes about 4 hours to see, offer prayer, pay homage and take blessings from our philosopher saints.
Inside Mutt
Inside the Mutt there are several temples, samadhis, religious and spritual discourse hall, Tunga river ghat and Advait reseach centre.
Sri Torna Ganapati – 32nd Acharya of Shardapeeth Jagatguru Narshimha Bharti (1817-1879) used to perform here his Anushthanam (Yajna) here. Later here Torna Ganpati temple was built in 2014.
Sharda Peeth – It was built in early 20th century by 33rd Jagatguru Sri Sacchidananda.
It is made of granite. It is temple of Maa Saraswati (Sharda) and consists of two huge mandapas. There are also sculptures of Mahisasur Mardini and Raja Rajeshwari inside.
Shankaracharya Samadhi
Vidyashankara temple
Vidyashankara, head of this Peetham for a period of 105 years from 1228-1333 AD, is considered to be one of the greatest Gurus of this Peetham. It was built in memory of Guru Vidyashankara by next Shankaracharya Vidyaranya, with the aid of the Vijayanagar rulers in the 14th century. The golden image of Sharada was also installed then at the Sharada temple. The temple also houses ruby images of Venugopala and Srinivasa and a Nandi made out of a large pearl. Several inscriptions are seen in the temple, describing contributions made by the Vijayanagar emperors.
The twelve pillars in the mandapam are named the Raasi pillars, and are so arranged that the sun’s rays fall on each of them, in the order of the solar months.
Sri Vageeshwari Vidyaranya temple
Kodandarama-temple
Sriguru Nivas (ashram)
Adhisthan Mandirgalu (temple)
Sri Kal Bhairav Devsthana (temple)
Sri Sadvidya Sanskrit Maha Pathshala (school)
Advait Research Centre
It is advised to see ashrama and Mutt in night time also. Free lunch and dinner are provided inside Mutt to thousands of pilgrims daily here. You can also go to the website of Sharda Paatham Sringeri to contribute to this seva.
What to see in surroundings of Sringeri
We were 7 pilgrims and we did not have our own conveyance. I tried to check with local travel agents who told it takes one full day to see the ancient saint temples and the tour could cost about Rs. 4000 for 7 persons. We can also take auto (Rs. 2000) to see few important temples. Places to see within vicinity are
Places to visit around Shivamogga
Seeing the map we can decide our route to visit these places either from Sringeri or Shivamogga. There are buses from Sringeri and you can plan your journey from Sringeri as well.
Distances from Shivamogga.
Additionally you can cover these also Gudavi – 104 KM bird sanctuary, Jog falls – 103 KM. If you want to cover these places from Sringeri, you can first go to Agumbe by bus and from there catch other buses in sequence.
Epilogue
It was March 12, 2024 when we planned this long awaited journey to Sringeri, a home of spiritual studies of Vedanta and to the land of sanatan messenger sages Sri Adi Shankaracharya, sage Sri Mandan Misra, sage Sri Vidya Shankar and sage Sri Vidyaaranya.
The title of this Sharda Peeth is अहम् ब्रम्हास्मि – Means I am supreme and God resides in me (Purity- not arrogance).
Before landing to this place I did not know that Mandan Misra (9th Century) was related to this land. In childhood I had heard the stories of Adi Sankarcharya (9th Century) debate with boy Mandan Misra. This is world famous and not legend but truth.
This is also a piece of land touched which had hermitage of Rishi Vidyaaranya who had re-converted Bukka and Harihar brothers (founder of glorious Vijaynagar Empire who ruled for 300 years). It was amazing and thrilling to touch this land.
Same Rishi Vidyaaranya also constructed Vidyashankar temple which is world famous of 12 pillars of 12 raasis (Scorpio, makar, meen..) on which sun rays fall based on solar months. This is world famous and shows the astronomical knowledge of Vijaynagar empire scholars.
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