Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar – Legends

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.