Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar – History

Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar – History

The temple was originally built by the Hindu king Sandiman reigned in Kashmir from 2629 to 2564 BC. It was extensively renovated by King Gopaditya (426–365 BC) and by King Lalitaditya (697–734 CE). Kalhana, author of Rajatarangini, mentions that King Gopaditya built the temple dedicated to Jyesthesvara on top of the hill. The temple is believed to have been visited by Adi Shankaracharya, which has made the temple to be associated with him.

As per historians, this temple was originally a Buddhist temple during the Buddhist era. The temple was then later on changed to a Hindu site and Adi Shankaracharya made it a Hindu place of worship. The Jews and Persians used to call it the Bagh-i-Sulaiman which means the Garden of King Solomon and the temple also has Persian engravings.

Sikandar Butshikan (Sikandar, the iconoclast) did not destroy this temple for some reason. Zain-ul-Abidin, eighth sultan of Kashmir, repaired the roof of the temple which had been destroyed during an earthquake in the region. The hill was also mentioned as Takht-e-Suleiman during the periods of the Mughal, Sikh, Afghan and Dogra periods. Sheikh Ghulam Mohi-ud-din, a Sikh Governor (1841–46 CE), also repaired the dome of the temple.

The temple and the hill derived the name Shankaracharya during this period. The temple was not in active worship in this period. It was consecrated as Shankaracharya temple and Shiva Linga was installed in the temple. The Dogra King Gulab Singh (1846-1857 CE) constructed the steps to the hill from Durga Naag temple side. The Maharaja of Mysore came to Kashmir in 1925 and made the electrical installations at the temple.

The Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peetham installed the statue of Adi Shankaracharya in the temple in 1964 CE. The Government of J&K constructed the road to the top of the hill in 1974 CE. The shrine is under the religious control of the Dharmarth Trust. The temple is a nationally Protected Monument under the Archaeological Monument, Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.