What are the important sightseeing places to see in and around Sringeri? Find out below

Sringeri is home to a number of historic temples. Of these, Sri Sharadamba Temple and Sri Vidyashankara Temple are very prominent.

Sringeri Sharadamba temple

The Sharadamba temple in Shringeri is the most prominent spot in this town. It is over 700 years old and was built at almost the same time as the Sharada Mutt. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Sharada - a Goddess of learning.

Vidyaranya is said to have replaced the old sandalwood image with a stone and gold image. The temple structure itself continued to be made of wood till the early 20th century. The wooden structure got burnt in a sudden fire accident. The present new structure is built in the traditional south Indian (Dravidian) style of temple architecture.

Vidyashankara Temple

The Vidyashankara temple was built in commemoration of the Shankaracharya Vidyashankara, around 1357 A.D. It was built by Vidyaranya, patron-saint of Harihara and Bukka, the brothers who founded the Vijayanagar Empire.

The niches in the temple have a number of sculptures from Hindu, Buddhist and Jain mythologies. Inscriptions in the temple record contributions made by several Vijayanagar emperors, but the temple was probably built on an earlier Hoysala site, as it combines Hoysala and Vijayanagar architectural features.

The temple architecture is also an exhibition of the great expertise of medieval south Indian temple builders. The main temple hall features 12 pillars designated for the 12 signs of the zodiac.

Sringeri Sharada Peetam

Sringeri Sharada Peetam is the popular name for the Mutt (or Matha) at Sringeri It is one of the four Hindu Advaita Mutts established by Adi Shankaracharya (A famous Hindi Proponent and saint in the 13th Century AD).

It is also referred to as Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetam. Following the tradition initiated by Adi Shankaracharya, the Mutta is in charge of the Yajur Veda traditions.

Places of interest near Sringeri

There are a number of famous Hindu Pilgrimage Centres  and temples near Sringeri. Some of the major ones include, Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple, Hariharapura, Kigga (Rishyashringa Temple), Agumbe (Venugopalaswami Temple and Sunset Spot), and Kalasa (Kalaseshwara Temple), Balehonnur - Rambapuri Mata, Koppa (Veerabhdra Swamy and Chittemakki Mallikarjuna Swamy temple).

You can also visit these places near Sringeri (in Chikamagalur district):

• Kemmangundi Hill station
• Horanadu Anna Poorneshwari temple
• Belavadi Viranarayana Temple
• Amrutheshwara temple at Amruthapura

Return to Sringeri Tour Guide or See other tourist attractions in Chikkamagalur