Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar – The Temple

Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar – The Temple

This temple is situated on top of Shankaracharya Hill at an altitude of 1100 feet. The temple is located in the valley under high security zone and hence no camera and mobile is permitted on the top. The entrance to the hill is guarded by army personnel and cars are not permitted after 17:00 hours, although the temple remains open until 20:00 hours.

Devotees need to climb 243 steps to reach the entrance of the temple and have to climb another 10 steps with side walls from the entrance to the temple hall. The steps are not very steep and can be climbed easily. The temple is built on a 20 feet tall octagonal plinth. The temple is square on plan.

The interior of the sanctum is circular in plan. The interior of the sanctum is covered by a ply board ceiling concealing the flat sandstone slabs which are supported by two lintels bearing the load on four octagonal columns in the centre. The lower course of the ceiling is still extant in its original shape. The Sanctum houses the presiding deity, Jyesthesvara, in the form of Shiva Linga.

The Linga is large and oval shaped. It is a with reddish black stone probably brought from the Narmada River valley in Madhya Pradesh of Central India. The dome shaped ceiling and the brick roof over the sanctum is of recent construction. The temple is about 30 feet tall. The temple resembles the interior plan of a large temple at Ladhuv in the Valley.

The south west column of the temple bears two inscriptions of Mughal Period. The lower courtyard has an octagonal precast ornamental iron rain shelter shed with some benches for the benefit of the tourists. There are some modern structures added on the right side in Dogra period for the benefits of the priests of the temple.  

The white marble bust of Adi Shankaracharya was installed by the J & K Dharmarth Trust in 20 April 1961 near the temple. There is a small marble tank built with slab stones situated just behind the temple. This temple offers enchanting views of Srinagar City and Kashmir valley. It also offers the splendid snow-covered mountains of Pir Panjal range.