Shankaracharya Temple

The Shankaracharya Temple is located in Zabarwan range in Srinagar. It is also known as the Jyeshteshwara temple. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Shiva. The temple is located at an altitude of 300 metres above the sea level.

About Shankaracharya Temple

The temple was constructed in 200 BCE. It was once visited by Adi Shankara and since then it is associated with him. Adi Shankara was an Indian philosopher and saint who propagated Advaita Vedanta. The temple is also considered sacred by the Buddhists. Mahashivaratri is the most popular festival celebrated in this temple. The temple is visited by the pilgrims during Amarnath Yatra.

Temple construction

The temple rests on a rock. The most astonishing feature of the temple is that an octagonal base supports a square building. The building is located in the top of the temple. The octagonal base is 20 foot tall. The terrace of the temple is reached by a stone stair case. The stair case is enclosed between two walls. There is doorway on the opposite side of the staircase. This door way leads to the interior. The interior is a dark chamber and is circular.

Temple road and steps construction

The steps to the temple were constructed by the Dogra king Gulab Singh. In 1925, the Maharaja of Mysore made electrical installations at the temple during his visit. In 1962, Shankaracharya (of dwarkapeetham) installed a statue of Adi Shankaracharya here. Later in 1974, Jammu and Kashmir government constructed a road to the temple.