Shringeri, 100kms from Udupi, is a wellknown centre of pilgrimage situated on the banks of the river Tunga and at the foot of the Sahya mountain - a part of the western ghats, in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. It is as sacred as Kashi, Rameshwaram, Puri, Dwaraka, Tirupathi, Srisailam, Srirangam, Pandharpur, Badrinath and Pashupathinath. Regarded as one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimages in South India, Sringeri was the abode of Shankaracharya, the great 9th century philosopher and social reformer.
The Hindu saint Sri Sankaracharya was passing through the area when he saw an odd sight - a cobra spreading its hood to give shade to a frog. The sage was so taken with this image of peace between animals that he decided to found his pitha on the spot. He installed in a temple an image of Sri Sharada (the deity representing absolute knowledge and bliss) and spent the next twelve years there, teaching his disciples.
The most eye-catching destination in Sringeri is the Vidya-shankar temple, which dates from the 14th century. The temple, built of golden-coloured stone, sits on a low platform in the middle of the large paved area.
The most important annual festival in Sringeri is Navaratri. The festival commemorates the victory of the Goddess over evil. Sharada, the presiding deity at Sringeri is worshipped in all her various forms during the festival and the image of the deity is adorned with numerous precious ornaments. The town is crowded with pilgrims throughout the festivities.
How to Reach
Sringeri is located just 56 km away from Bhadra, and numerous Buses ply from the city which would reach you to Sringeri. It is 128 kilometers away from Bangalore.