Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam, Dakshinamanaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri



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Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri

Sri Malahanikareshwara


Front view of Sri Malahanikareshwara Temple

नमो गौरीशाय स्फटिकधवलांगाय च नमो
नमो लोकेशाय स्तुतविबुधलोकाय च नमः ।
नमः श्रीकण्ठाय क्षपितपुरदैत्याय च नमो
नमः फालाक्षाय स्मरमदविनाशाय च नमः ॥


Steps leading to the temple

In the heart of the town of Sringeri is the temple of Sri Malahanikareshwara on the top of a hillock, which can be reached by a flight of about hundred and fifty steps. The structure is a fine piece of architecture with figures of Narasimha, Virabhadra and so on. On the ceiling is carved a lotus bud.

The linga that was worshipped by the Paramarishi Vibhandaka son of Kashyapa is known as Sri Malahanikaresvara(destroyer of the impurities of the soul) and is worshipped even today.

He did penance here, had the vision of the Lord and united the Lord in the Linga and disappeared from the mortal world.

It is an udhbhava linga.

Temple Structure and Deities

The temple structure is a fine piece of architecture, consisting of a navaranga, an antarala, a garbhagrha and with relieves on the pillars. The deities inside the temple are Lord Malahanikareshvara, Goddess Bhavani, Sthambha Ganapati, Chandikeshvara, Ganapati, and Durga.


The temple parikrama

The stone structure must have been raised early in the Vijayanagar period, replacing the older one in wood.

Repairs were undertaken by Sri Narasimha Bharati (!663-1765) 26th Acharya with great assistance from Somasekhara Nayaka of Keladi.  The magnetic Nandi was installed by Janganna Mallinataha, during Somashekara nayaks regime (1664 – 1675)  In the praakaara, the walls were constructed in 1685 by Sitammaji, daughter of Revanna Nayaka of Keladi.

Again in 1963 a Kumbhabhishekam was performed.

During another reconstruction by His Holiness Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Swamigal, a spacious navaranga was added which consists of four beautiful pillars of the Vijayanagara type. These pillars have high relief sculptures of various gods and goddesses such as Narasimha, Virabhadra, Sri Rama, Subrahmanaya, Venugopala, Hanumana, Kalingamardhana and Durga, again a synthesis of gods as propounded by Adi Shankara.


Structure from the rear side

The skilled artisans for the reconstruction were brought from Chettinaad, in Tamil Nadu.

The Kumbhabhishekam was performed on Feb 11, 1985 by Sri Abhinava Vidya Tirtha Mahaswamigal along with Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal. His Holiness Sri Swaroopananda Saraswati of Dwaraka Peetham also participated

Outside the temple there are small shrines of Meenakshi Sachidanandeshvara, kshetra palaka, and Bindu Madhava.

Bindu Madhava. is flanked by His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi on both sides and at the base a Saint sitting in Yogasana flanked by two disciples on both sides can be seen..

Festival

  • Arudradarshanam (December-January)
  • Mahashivaratri(February-March)
  • Rathotsavam(February-March) and
  • Laksha Deepotsavam(November December)

The Malahanikareshwara Rathotsava festival spans from Maga Krishna Dasami to Phalguna Shukla Dvitiya and is celebrated on the Maga Amavasya next day to Mahashivaratri. On Mahashivaratri, His Holiness performs special Puja to the Lord during the day for several hours.

On Kartika poornima day Deepothsavam is celebrated on a grand scale.

DarshanTimings

8:00 A.M. to 12:00 NOON
5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Seva

  • Rudrabhishekha – Ekavara,  Ekadasavara,  Shata Rudra

    • Shatarudra Abhishekam is performed every month on every Ekadashi and Arudra nakshatram.

  • Panchamritabhishekha
  • Archana – Ashtothra,  Sahasranama

For further details see seva page

 
  • Just as in this body, the embodied one passes through boyhood, youth, and old age, so does one pass into another body. With reference to this (birth, aging and death), the wise man is not disturbed. Bhagavan Sri Krishna on Significance of God
  • An object continues to be dear as long as one derives pleasure from it and it is detested for the duration that it causes pain. The same object cannot be always liked or disliked. Sometimes, that which is not dear may become dear. Moreover, that which was loveable can turn unpleasant. The Atma, towards which affection never wanes, is always the most beloved. Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada on Shatashloki
  • Blessings are the monopoly of God and we must all pray for his gracious blessings. Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal on Significance of God
  • It is pitiful that when many of us are asked, “who are you?”, The first thought that arises is “I am a Keralite”, or “I am a Punjabi”, etc. The thought that should immediately stem is “I am an Indian”. If people first feel that they are Indians and only then think of divisions, the nation will have great prosperity and the divisive forces will not be operative as they are today. Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal on Significance of God
  • Instead of using the tongue for speaking futile issues, use it to chant the names of God. God shall then guide you along the right and beneficial path. Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal on Significance of God's Names