Kamal Guha: Jammu and Kashmir Hindu temples template

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Jammu and Kashmir Hindu temples template

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	* [http://www.jammu.com/kashmir/temples-shrines.php Famous Temples & Shrines in Kashmir]		* [http://www.jammu.com/kashmir/temples-shrines.php Famous Temples & Shrines in Kashmir]

	{{Hindu ~~Temples~~ in Jammu and Kashmir}}		{{Hindu temples in Jammu and Kashmir}}

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Shankaracharya Temple}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Shankaracharya Temple}}

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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox temple
| name = Shankaracharya Temple
| image = The Ancient Shankaracharya Temple (Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir).jpg
| alt = Shankaracharya temple
| caption = Shankaracharya temple
| map_type = India Jammu and Kashmir#India
| map_caption = Location in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| coordinates = {{coord|34|4|44|N|74|50|37|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| location = [[Srinagar]]
| elevation_m = 1852.16
| deity = [[Shiva]]
}}
The '''Shankaracharya Temple''' is also known as the '''Jyeshteshwara Temple'''. It is situated on top of the [[Shankaracharya Hill]] on the [[Zabarwan Range]] in [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]]. It is dedicated to Lord [[Shiva]]. The temple is at a height of {{convert|1000|ft|m}} above the valley floor and overlooks the city of [[Srinagar]].

== History and development ==
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Shankaracharya temple.jpg
| width1 = 200
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| image2 =
| width2 = 188
| alt2 =
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| footer = Temple of Jyeshteswara - Shankaracharya, probably built 9th century AD. The temple overlooks [[Dal Lake]]<br/>
Photos taken in 1868 CE by [[John Burke (photographer)]]
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The shrine may date to c. 200 BCE{{cn|date=November 2020}} although the present structure probably dates to the 9th century AD. It was visited by [[Adi Shankara]] and has ever since been associated with him; this is how the temple got the name Shankaracharya. It is also regarded as sacred by [[Buddhists]].<ref name="Bandhu Desh – Buddhist">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GPLDUVNeLXMC|title=Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh: Tourist Guide|publisher=Anmol Publications Pvt. Limited|year=1989|isbn=9788171580149}}</ref> Every year Kashmiri Hindus celebrate [[Mahashivaratri]] festival there with great pomp and joy.<ref>{{Cite news|title= Kashmiri Hindus celebrate 'Mahashivaratri' by decorating Shankaracharya Temple with lights and flowers|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/spiritual/religion/article/herath-celebrations-in-srinagars-shankaracharya-temple-shrine-decorated-with-lights-for-maha-shivratri/730932 |date=12 Mar 2021|publisher=Times Now|access-date=12 Mar 2021}}</ref>

The earliest historical reference to the hill comes from Kalhana. He called the mountain Gopadri. Kalhana says that King Gopaditya granted the land at the foot of the hill to the Brahmins that had come from the "Araya versh." The land grant was called "GOPA AGRAHARAS". This area is now called Gupkar. Kalhana mentions another village in the vicinity of the hill. King Gopaditya housed some of the Brahmins to a village next door. Kalhana names this village as Bhuksiravatika (Buch’vore today). Kalhana also mentions that King Gopaditya built the temple on the top of the hill as a shrine to Jyesthesvara (Shiva Jyestharuda) around 371 BC.<ref>Kalhana's Rajtarangni A Chronicle of Kings of Kasmir Volume II by M.A. Stein Published by Motilal Banarsidas Reprint 1979 Page 453</ref>

The Dogra King [[Gulab Singh]] (1792-1857 AD) constructed the steps to the hill from Durga Naag temple side. The Maharaja of Mysore came to Kashmir in 1925 and he made the electrical installations at the temple. In 1961 Shankaracharaya of Dwarkapeetham put the statue of Adi Shankaracharaya in the temple. In 1974 the Government of J&K constructed the road that goes to the TV antenna near the top of the hill.<ref>Kashur Encyclopedia Volume one Published by Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art Culture and Languages, Srinagar 1986 Page 302</ref>

== Soundarya Lahari ==

Kashmir is believed to be the seat of [[Shaivism|Shaivam]], the [[Himalayas|Himalaya Mountains]] and [[Mount Kailash|Sri Kailashagiri]] as "The massed laughter of Sri Shiva." It was from here that the sweet nectar of Shiva's devotion spread in India and around the globe, by the spiritual works of saints like Adi Shankaracharya. [[Soundarya Lahari]] was composed by [[Adi Shankara]] atop the Gopadari Hill, after accepting the fact that the union of Sri Shiva and Devi Shakti, as in [[Shaktism]], transpired into the Shakti-Shri Chakra, the symbol of [[Devi]] (Goddess), as [[Sri Yantra]], as mentioned in 'Shankara Digvijay' - Life history of Shankaracharya,<ref>[https://www.amazon.in/Sankara-Digvijaya-Traditional-Life-Sankaracharya/dp/8171204341 Sankara Digvijaya: The Traditional Life of Sri Sankaracharya]</ref> and only when Shiva is united with Shakti does he have the power to create.<ref>[http://www.ikashmir.net/saints/shankracharyavisittokashmir.html Adi Shankracharya's Visit to Kashmir]</ref>

== Architecture and design ==
The '''Jyoteshware temple''' rests on a solid rock. A 20-foot tall octagonal base supports a square building on top. The terrace around the square temple is reached by a stone staircase enclosed between two walls. A doorway on the opposite side of the staircase leads to the interior, which is a small and dark chamber, circular in plan. The ceiling is supported by four octagonal columns, which surround a Basin containing a [[Lingam]] encircled by a snake.

== Current status ==
[[File:Inside Adi Shankara's Gufa at Shankaracharya Temple (Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir).jpg|thumb|The memorial to the [[Adi Shankaracharya]] inside the temple]]
The temple is used for regular worship and pilgrims visit the temple during the [[Amarnath Yatra]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Amarnath Pilgrims reach Shankaracharya Temple |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/amarnath-pilgrims-reach-shankaracharya-temple/article1-435007.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131223032525/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/amarnath-pilgrims-reach-shankaracharya-temple/article1-435007.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 December 2013 |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=22 July 2009 |accessdate=7 December 2013}}</ref>

== Visitor information ==
There are 243 steps leading up to the temple area and another 8-10 steps from there to the temple hall. Entrance to the hill is guarded by army personnel and cars are not permitted after 17:00 hours, although the temple remains open until 20:00 hours. Views of Srinagar are possible from the top of the hill.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Shankaracharya Temple}}

* [http://www.jammu.com/kashmir/temples-shrines.php Famous Temples & Shrines in Kashmir]

{{Hindu Temples in Jammu and Kashmir}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shankaracharya Temple}}
[[Category:Shiva temples in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:2nd-century BC Hindu temples]]
[[Category:9th-century Hindu temples]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Srinagar]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Srinagar]]

Shankaracharya Temple - Revision history

Kamal Guha: Jammu and Kashmir Hindu temples template

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