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Srinagar,12,April ,2016,Kashmir India : Close up of devotees entering ancient Shankaracharya Hindu temple top shrine to offer their prayers ,Srinagar ,

Jammu and Kashmir

Shankaracharya Temple

Srinagar,12,April ,2016,Kashmir India: Low angle side view of ancient Shankaracharya temple against blue sky background with exit steps and tourists ,Srinagar ,Jammu and Kashmir, India,Asia; Shutterstock ID 1116057143; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -
Srinagar,12,April ,2016,Kashmir India: Ancient Shankaracharya stone temple on hill top with Dal lake and city in background against blue sky ,Srinagar ,Jammu and Kashmir, India,Asia; Shutterstock ID 1116002183; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -
Srinagar,12,April ,2016,Kashmir India: Low angle view of ancient Shankaracharya temple on hilltop against blue sky background and surrounding greenery ,Srinagar,Jammu and Kashmir, India,Asia; Shutterstock ID 1116045194; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -
Srinagar,12,April ,2016,Kashmir India : Close up of devotees entering ancient Shankaracharya Hindu temple top shrine to offer their prayers ,Srinagar ,
Srinagar,12,April ,2016,Kashmir India: Low angle side view of ancient Shankaracharya temple against blue sky background with exit steps and tourists ,Srinagar ,Jammu and Kashmir, India,Asia; Shutterstock ID 1116057143; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -
Srinagar,12,April ,2016,Kashmir India: Ancient Shankaracharya stone temple on hill top with Dal lake and city in background against blue sky ,Srinagar ,Jammu and Kashmir, India,Asia; Shutterstock ID 1116002183; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -
Srinagar,12,April ,2016,Kashmir India: Low angle view of ancient Shankaracharya temple on hilltop against blue sky background and surrounding greenery ,Srinagar,Jammu and Kashmir, India,Asia; Shutterstock ID 1116045194; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -
map

January

-5.9 - 11.9 °C

February

-3.6 - 15.8 °C

March

0.0 - 22.5 °C

April

3.5 - 27.1 °C

May

6.9 - 30.5 °C

June

10.7 - 33.6 °C

July

14.4 - 34.2 °C

August

13.8 - 33.5 °C

September

8.5 - 31.6 °C

October

1.9 - 28.2 °C

November

-2.6 - 21.6 °C

December

-5.5 - 14.3 °C

Major Airports :

Jammu Civil Enclave (IXJ), Jammu

Nearest Railway Station :

Srinagar Railway Station, Nowgam (SINA)

Major Airports :

Jammu Civil Enclave (IXJ), Jammu

The heavenly abode of the mortals

High on the hills of Srinagar is Shankaracharya Temple, housing Lord Shiva as the main deity enshrined within a Shivalinga. It sits proudly on the 1000-foot-high Gopadri Hill and is also known as Jyoteshwar Temple or Pas-Bahar. But it’s not just a place of worship. The stories, incidences, and challenges that ensued make this temple famous for its historical and cultural significance. The myths surrounding the conception of this temple are plenty. Some believe that Emperor Ashoka’s son built it during the greenest of his reigns and was torn down by Mughal kings, only to be redeveloped later. However, certain people also believe that it was built in the 9th century by Adi Shankaracharya, a revered Hindu philosopher . The creator of the architecture may be in question, but its glory is not.

The temple's impressive stone architecture, intricate carvings, steep staircases, and ancient inscriptions adorning its walls are truly mesmerising. The breathtaking views of Srinagar that come with the temple add to its ethereal and divine aura. It's no wonder that this ancient temple is also revered as the most significant pilgrimage site for Kashmiri Hindus. As the holiest shrine in Kashmir, the Shankaracharya Temple continues to attract devotees and tourists alike, offering a glimpse into the region's spiritual legacy.

Creating the creator of all

According to local accounts, the temple was constructed in 200 BC by Jaluka, the son of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. As time passed, the Mughals gradually gained control of India and destroyed many Hindu temples and sacred sites. This temple also met the same fate when Sultan Sikandar razed it to the ground. Over the years, various rulers who were deeply influenced by the temple's aura and Lord Shiva, worked to rebuild and restore its sanctity and heritage.

Shankaracharya Temple's history is a tapestry of religious and cultural influences. The first king to put together the pieces is believed to be King Godapatta. He took it upon himself to restore the temple to its original glory in the 1st century AD and name it Jyeteshwara Temple. Later monarchs such as King Gopaditya, King Lalitaditya, Gulab Singh of the Dogra dynasty, and even the King of Mysore also added, repaired, and reconstructed the temple to keep it standing with pride for years to come. Some even believe that the King of Mysore introduced electric fittings of the modern era. 

As recently as 1961, Shankaracharya of Dwarkapeeth installed the statue of Adi Shankaracharya marking another significant moment in the temple’s long history of reverence and renewal. It is believed that the temple premises were also used to pursue scholarly interest in various Persian scriptures which suggests historical ties with diverse communities, including Jews and Persians.

Where God lives and God visits

The temple flaunts a square shape with a 20-foot tall octagonal base – an obvious and pristine example of the Kashmiri style. Lined with delicate and exquisite carvings of shikaras and horseshoe arches the temple has 243 steps which leads up to the sanctum sanctorum. Legends say that each step represents an element of the cosmos as per Hindu philosophy. Though this temple houses one of the most powerful of all Hindu Gods, Lord Shiva, it is believed that it was also visited by Jesus Christ. Some even claim that it was a Buddhist site, which was later converted into a revered shrine of Shaivism. The melting pot of stories is many but it all invites us to one single truth that Shankaracharya Temple was a spiritual nexus. It is a standing testimony that illustrates the fluid and interconnected nature of religious practices in Kashmir.

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Timings

(Monday – Sunday)

07:30 AM to 05:00 PM

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Bowing to the all-Supreme

This place comes alive during the holy Amarnath Yatra. Scores of pilgrims throng the place to seek blessings and partake in the vibrant celebrations of Shivratri and Shravan Poornima. These festivals see the temple come alive with offerings of milk, fruits, and flowers to Lord Shiva, embodying the devoutness and spiritual richness of the region. Shankaracharya Temple is not just a place for the devotees, but a congregation of architectural, historical, and cultural ethos. As pilgrims and tourists alike climb the ancient steps, they partake in a centuries-old tradition of reverence and devotion, underscored by the temple’s awe-inspiring presence against the Himalayan backdrop.

Around the world of the Almighty

The nestling of the temple gives it the advantage of flaunting breathtaking views of Dal Lake, the majestic Pir Panjal Mountain range, and the verdant valleys below. You can also visit the Mughal Gardens, and enjoy the landscaped terraces and vibrant floral displays. The Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh mesmerize with pristine water channels and intricate Mughal architecture. Amidst this picturesque setting, the temple serves as a spiritual anchor, inviting pilgrims and travelers to immerse themselves in the tranquillity of Kashmir's sacred landscapes.