The Jyeshteshwara Temple of the Shankaracharya Temple is a Hindu temple located at the top of the Shankaracharya Hill, part of the Zabarwan Range in the city of Srinagar in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Shankaracharya temple is dedicated to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. The temple is 1000 feet (about 300 m) over the valley floor and overlooks the entire city of Srinagar. The temple draws many visitors, mainly Kashmiri pundits and Hindus, during the festival of Maha Shivaratri or Herath, called locally.
6 Tips For Exploring the Shankaracharya Temple the Right Way
1. History of the Shankaracharya Temple
The Jyeshteshwara, or Shankaracharya temple, is considered the oldest temple in Kashmir, both historically and from a traditional perspective. The temple is on a hill, a well-preserved Panjal trap formed by Permian-era volcanic activity. There has been no consensus amongst historians concerning the actual date of construction of the temple. The earliest literary and historical reference to the temple comes from the Sanskrit writer Kalhana, who wrote the Rajatarangini and an account of the history of Kashmir. According to Kalhana, who called this hill Gopadri or Hill Gopa, the Kind Gopaditya granted this land and the land at the foot of the hill to the Brahmins who had arrived from Aryadesha. The writer Kalhana also finally mentions that King Gopaditya built the current temple at the top of the hill as a temple to Lord Jyeshteshwara (Shiva) around the year 371 BCE.
Must Read: Tea Plucking in Gulmarg
2. Construction and facilities for Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar, Kashmir
King Gulab Singh, a Dogra King, constructed the steps leading up to the hill from the Durga Naag temple side. There were also steps before, which led further all the way to the Jhelum. Queen Nur Jahan used the stones of the temple steps to construct the Pathar Mosque.
In 1925, the Maharaja of Mysore visited the temple and made electrical searchlight installations, five of which were around the temple and one on top. The Maharaja of Mysore also left behind an endowment fund to fund the cost of the electricity bills. In 1961, the Shankaracharya of Dwarkapeetham placed a statue of Adi Shankaracharya in the temple. Sri Aurobindo of Pondicherry also visited the temple in the year 1903. Vinoba Bhave, the famous Indian philosopher, also visited the temple in 1959.
In 1969, the Border Roads Organization built a road measuring 5.6km to the temple. A part of this road was to be used to access a communications tower, which was closed to the public, while the remainder of the road was used by pilgrims going up to the temple. There are currently about 240 steps to reach the presiding deity. The Dharmarth Trust has been managing and administering the temple and has built two small shelters for sadhus and holy men. Besides religious tourism, this hill has a very limited amount of activity. The hill sports a large variety of flora. From here, one can see and count the number of boats on the Dal Lake. The river Jhelum is also visible from the top of the hill. The panorama scenery covered major landmarks, including the river Jhelum, the Dal Lake and Hari Parvat.
3. Architecture and Design of the Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar, Kashmir
The temple itself sits on top of a solid rock formation. An approximately 6-meter-tall octagonal base supports a square building on the top. Every side of the octagon is approximately 4.5 meters. The flanks, the front and the back are all plain, while the other four sides of the octagon have some minimal designs and noticeable angles. The terrace surrounding the square temple can be accessed by a stone staircase enclosed between two walls. A small doorway on the opposite side of the staircase leads to the interior, which is a dark and small chamber, circular in shape. The ceiling here is supported by four octagonal columns, and these columns surround a basin, which in turn contains a Shiva Lingam, which is encircled by a snake.
Suggested Read: Things to do in Kashmir in 2024
4. Incidents and Popular Culture
In 1948, Sheikh Abdullah wrote to the Madras magazine Swatantra about the Shankaracharya temple story. He wrote about how Shankaracharya, who was from the south, came all the way to Kashmir, debated with a lady, and lost the debate, eventually leading to Shaivism’s development all over the country. He further wrote that a memorial to that great event stands tall on the Shankaracharya Hill in the Jyeshteshwara Temple in Srinagar, which contains an idol of Lord Shiva.
The Bollywood films released in 2000, such as Pukaar and Mission Kashmir, feature this temple prominently. The 1974 song Jai Jai Shiv Shankar also briefly features this temple.
So if you are a history buff or enjoy popular culture and entertainment, the Shankaracharya Temple has plenty to offer.
Suggested Read: Skiing in Gulmarg, Kashmir
5. Current Status of the Shankaracharya temple, Srinagar, Kashmir
Image Source: Vinayaraj for wikimedia commons
The Jyeshtheswara temple or the Shankaracharya temple features regular worship, and the Kashmiri and other Hindus often visit this temple on their way to or back from the Amarnath Yatra. During the Amarnath Yatra, a tradition is carried out in which, on the lunar phase of the new moon, the holy mace of Lord Shiva is carried to the temple. The Shankaracharya temple is a part of the government’s popular tourist circuits for pilgrims. The temple is lit up to a grand spectacle on the occasion of Mahashivaratri or Herath. In these instances, to prepare for adequate measures for tourists and pilgrims and ensure the availability of all facilities, the district administration reviews all the arrangements to benefit the tourists and pilgrims.
Further Read: Trip to Srinagar, Kashmir
The Shankaracharya Mandir, or the Jyestheshwara Temple, has a rich tradition and history, so thousands of Hindu pilgrims worldwide visit this sacred temple spot. When you plan a trip to Kashmir, add the temple to your itinerary because it will be an experience like no other. Take your elders and spiritual friends on this unforgettable journey to experience a slice of history and the life of Adi Shankaracharya.
For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.
Cover Image Source: Shutterstock
Frequently Asked Questions About Shankaracharya Temple
When is the Shankaracharya temple open? What are the temple timings?
The temple is open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day.
What kind of clothing should I wear while visiting the temple?
Since Srinagar is cold for most part of the year, it is advisable to wear winter clothing and jackets in case the weather is too cold.
What can you see from the Shankaracharya Temple Hill in Srinagar?
The Shankaracharya temple hill in Srinagar offers a splendid view of the Dal Lake, the river Jhelum, as well as Hari Parvat.
What are the different names by which the Shankaracharya Hill is known locally?
The Shankaracharya hill is known traditionally as Takht Hill. Other names that are often associated with the hill traditionally and locally include Koh-e-Seuleman, Takht-i-Sulaiman, Sandhimana-parvata, Gopadri, or simple Gopa Hill.
Can one visit the Shankaracharya Hill Temple easily on a visit to Srinagar?
Yes, the Shankaracharya Hill overlooks the city of Srinagar. A simple taxi or auto ride can take you to the base of the hill, from where you will have to climb to reach the temple at the top. Climbing is not recommended as there may be bears in the area. The road ends at another checkpoint where you can leave your phones and cameras in a safety locker.
People Also Read:
