Shankaracharya Temple,
Srinagar – Legends
As per legend, Adi Shankara
visited Kashmir when Kashmiris were culturally & spiritually much advanced
and believed strongly in the greatness of both Shiva and Shakti. On the other
hand, Shankaracharya believed in Shiva not Sakthi. Shankaracharya camped with
his disciples outside the city of Srinagar without any lodging facilities. A
young Kashmir woman was sent to meet Shankaracharya to access their plight. She
found them in difficult situation as they were not able to cook as no fire was
made available to them.
The young woman asked why he was
not able to produce fire despite being great. Then, she picked two thin wooden
sticks in her hand, recited mantras & rubbed the sticks and fire was
produced much to the surprise of Adi Shankaracharya. Later, a religious
discourse was arranged between Shankaracharya and the woman. It went for 17
days continuously.
Finally, Adi Shankaracharya
accepted his defeat. Further, he realized the importance of Shakthi cult. After
accepting the predominance of Shakti cult, Shankaracharya wrote Soundarya Lahiri,
in praise of Shakti, at the top of the hill, known as Gopadri Hill during
ancient times. Thus, the hill and the temple came to be called as Shankaracharya
hill and Shankaracharya
temple in memory of him.
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