Temple of Sri Malahanikareshwara

Sri Malahanikareshwara

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

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 in the sanctum which stands over the site of sage Vibhandaka's disappearance from the mortal world is called Malahanikareswara (destroyer of the impurities of the Jiva). 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 in the day for several hours. On Kartika poornima day Deepothsavam is celebrated on a grand scale.

Other Deities

Bhavani

शरत्पूर्णचन्द्रप्रभापूर्णबिम्बाधरस्मेरवक्त्रारविन्दां सुशान्ताम् ।
सुरत्रावलीहार ताटंकशोभां महासुप्रसन्नां भजे श्री भवानीम् ॥

There is also a shrine for Goddess Bhavani, which was consecrated by Sri Sacchidananda Bharati. Girija Kalyanam is celebrated on Vaishaka Shukla Dwadashi. This function is celebrated under the direction of the Jagadguru after the completion of the Chandramoulishwara Puja in the night.

Sri Sthamba Ganapati

वन्दारुजनमन्दारं इन्दुचूडतनूभवम् ।
सिन्दूर बन्धूरमुखं वन्दे स्तम्बेरमाननम् ॥

It is in this temple that Sri Abhinava Nrisimha Bharati (1600 - 1623 A.D.) in the absence of any Ganesha image in the temple complex, drew a figure of Lord Ganesha with a piece of turmeric on a pillar and worshipped it. Since that time the outline of the God gradually bulged out in relief and the rock sounds hollow at the particular part of the pillar. The Kumbhabhishekam was performed on Feb 11, 1985 by Sri Abhinava Vidya Tirtha Mahaswamigal in the presence of Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal. His Holiness Sri Swaroopananda Saraswati of Dwaraka Peetham also participated