Sharadamba Temple

Sharadamba Temple is the principal temple of Sringeri Sharada Peetham in Sringeri, Chikkamagaluru District, Karnataka, on the banks of the Tunga River. Established as the first Advaita Vedanta monastery by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE, it is dedicated to Goddess Sharadamba, a form of Saraswati. The temple features South Indian temple architecture with a gold-covered sanctum and is a major pilgrimage and cultural centre.

Visitors can expect a large temple complex within the Sringeri Mutt premises on the Tunga River. The main shrine houses a golden idol of Goddess Sharadamba in the sanctum, with a pillared hall, gopuram entrance, and stone carvings. The surroundings include the river ghats, Vidyatheertha Setu bridge, and adjacent Vidyashankara Temple. Visitors can attend darshan and puja, walk through the temple courtyards, and observe daily rituals and monastic activities.

Traditionally dated to the 8th century CE when Adi Shankaracharya established Sringeri as the first of his four Advaita Vedanta Peethams and installed an idol of Goddess Sharada. The original shrine was of sandalwood; the present stone structure with Vijayanagara and later renovations dates largely to the 14th century and subsequent periods under Vijayanagara rulers and the Sringeri Jagadgurus.

One of the most important centres of Advaita Vedanta and Hindu learning, presided over by the Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri. Dedicated to Sharadamba as goddess of knowledge and learning, the temple attracts students, scholars and pilgrims, and hosts major festivals including Navratri, Sharada Sharannavaratri and Shankaracharya Jayanti.