More than 40 temples glorify the beauty of Sringeri town. The temple of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and art, was built in the 15th century. Fortunately, libraries and ancient rare Sanskrit texts are still preserved here. Experts now need to contemplate on how to incorporate the knowledge disseminated here into today’s education system
–Dr Ujwala Chakradeo
This Math was established by Shri Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century to propagate Sanatan Dharma and Advaita Vedanta. Sringeri is located on the banks of the Tungan River in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. There are many temples and structures of the monastery on both the banks of the river. The two main temples in the vicinity of the monastery are one of Shiva and the other of Saraswati. Shiva’s temple is called Vidyashankara temple. This temple was built in the 14th century. The temple is built in a mixed style with Hoysala and Vijay Nagar styles. The temple is round on one side. It is on a high platform. There are many animals carved on the walls of the platform. One has to climb steep steps to reach the temple. On either side of the steps are statues of the ‘yali’ mouth of a demon and the body of an animal.
Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge and art. Its temple was built in the fifteenth century. The temple was later restored in the twentieth century. Adi Shankaracharya had erected an idol of Chandana Sharda here.
Sringeri town has more than 40 temples and is known as a temple town. The monastery has many libraries and ancient rare Sanskrit texts are still preserved here. It is always crowded with devotees and scholars. The temple and the entire monastery premises is very well maintained. Pleasant and beautiful atmosphere always prevails there. Experts need to think on how to incorporate the knowledge disseminated here, into today’s education system.
(The columnist is Principal of SMM College of Architecture, Nagpur and specialises in Bharatiya Architectural Heritage)
