Destination Sringeri

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Blast from past!

After a delayed start from Horanadu due to reasons beyond our control, we stopped over at Kaleshewara (Shiva) temple at Kalasa We had plans to stop at some place on road for breakfast but that was a bad decision. I would totally advise against doing that as we had to survive on banana chips and other snacks for breakfast. BTW, we were on the way to Sringeri by the Tunga Bhadra river


                                                          Temple complex at Kalasa
Once again the most scenic routes but the worst of roads! But due to good weather we made good ground in short time!



Sringeri is home to the Matha (monastery) founded by Adi Shankaracharya. There are two prominent temples in and around the Matha complex. One is the relatively new Sharadam temple, dedicated to the Goddess of learning and wisdom built after the original wood structured temple was destroyed in fire during the early 20th century. The other more interesting one is the Vidyashakara temple which is about 600-700 years old. The architecture of this temple is an exhibition of the astronomical expertise of medieval south Indian temple builders. Even though I did not witness it, windows and doors along the temple walls are arranged such that equinoxes sunrise views reach the deity. The northern and southern gates enable the sunrise view from the hall during solstices.Extraordinary right?



Shardamba Temple
Vidya Shankara Temple

One of my must do things in a temple town is to get the blessings from the temple elephant. I don’t think PETA or CUPA will approve of this but I give a good tip and hope that the elephant gets some of the benefit from it. I can’t describe the feeling but I become a kid when the elephant takes the offering by its trunk from my hand and then taps on my head. Love it!!
Sringeri has twice as large dining hall than Horanadu. After another amazing prasadam, we set off on the last leg of journey to Bhadravathi. As the social event kept us occupied for the rest of the trip, we did not do much at Bhadravathi. This was one of the more bone tiring trips I have undertaken in recent times but I am not complaining!!..Well not much!!

Location: Sringeri, Karnataka
Date of travel: November 2010
Location: Sringeri, Karnataka 577139, India

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