Sri Sharadamba Temple

माला सुधाकुम्भ विबोधमुद्रा विद्याविराजत्करवारिजाताम् ।
अपारकारुण्यसुधाम्बुराशिं श्रीशारदाम्बां प्रणतोस्मि नित्यम् ॥

The ancient temple of Sri Sharada, the presiding deity of Sringeri has a glorious history that begins with the setting up of the Dakshinamnaya Peetham by Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada. Originally it was an unpretentious shrine with the Murti of Sharada made of sandalwood, installed over the Sri Chakra that Sri Adi Shankara carved on a rock. Subsequently Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha and Sri Vidyaranya had a temple built in the Kerala style, with timber and tiled roof. Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha substituted the sandalwood idol with the present golden idol. Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati raised the present structure in granite with polished granite walling round the sanctum and Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati consecrated the new temple in May 1916. Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha made several improvements in the temple. The Mahamandapam has huge stone pillars exquisitely carved with deities like Durga, Raja Rajeshwari, Dwarapalakas and Devis which are all sculpted according to the Shilpa Sastras practised in Tamilnadu. Sanctified by the worship of an unbroken succession of Acharyas of the highest purity, loftiest devotion and unsurpassed mantric powers, the Murti of Sri Sharada radiates grace and blessings.

In the year 1999, the present Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal, dedicated to Goddess Sharada a rupees one crore Golden chariot at Sringeri. On the event of golden jubilee Vardhanthi (Birthday) of the Jagadguru, golden doors were installed and inaugurated at the entrance of' the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Sharada temple. The gold covering to the door worth rupees twenty four lakh is a marvelous piece of art. The eight panels have the figures of Ashta Lakshmi inscribed on them.

Navaratri festival is celebrated on a grand scale every year for 11 days with Shathachandi Homa Poornahuti performed on the Mahanavami day. On the Chaitra Shukla Poornima day, special Puja is performed in Sri Sharada Shrine. On Vaisaka Krishna Prathipath Mahabhishekam and special pooja is done for Sri Sharadambal. On Karthika Poornima day Deepotsava is conducted in Sri Sharada Shrine. On the Magha Shukla Panchami, Lalitha Panchami is celebrated with special Puja performed to Sri Sharadamba by the Jagadguru. On the Magha Krishna Dwithiya special Puja to Sri Sharadamba is performed by the Jagadguru. On the Magha Trithiya Sri Sharadamba Rathotsava is celebrated.

Other Deities

Sri Malayala Brahma Temple

The Malayala Brahma Temple is to the right of Sri Sharadamba Temple. Legend says that a brahmana scholar after learning the nuances of Vedas and Sastras instead of sharing his knowledge with others and teaching others refused to do so which went against his dharma. He was cursed to become a Brahma rakshas. During Sage Vidyaranya's time, on one of the pilgrimages of the Sage, the Brahma rakshas stopped his way and begged to free him of the curse. The Sage divined what had happened and then directed him to stay at Sringeri as a Kshetra Palaka (care taker of the Mutt). The Kshetra Palaka is locally called Malayala Brahma. The Murti of this deity carries a mace and is installed to the left of the door of the Sharadamba temple.

Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple

श्रीराघवं दशरथात्मजमप्रमेयं सीतापतिं रघुवरान्वयरत्रदीपम् ।
आजानुबाहुमरविन्ददलायताक्षं रामं निशाचरविनाशकरं नमामि ॥

To the right of Sri Sharadamba temple at Sringeri is a shrine dedicated to Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. Special Puja is performed during Rama Navaratri.