Shringeri - Sharada Peeth (Math of Adi Shankaracharya)

► Shringeri (Sharada)
(Chikmagalur district, Karnataka)

▬ River Tunga flows
(Karnataka Ghats)

• Saraswati: Devi Saraswati abides in Shringeri as Devi Sharada, established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in his southern monastery.
- Shringeri Sharada Peeth

• Sages: Sages associated with Shringeri:

○ Rishyashringa: Sage Rishyashringa is said to have his hermitage in Shringeri. The name Shringeri is derived from the name of sage Rishyasringa.

• Saints: Saints associated with Shringeri:

○ Adi Shankaracharya (788 - 820 CE?): Sri Adi Shankaracharya established the Sharada Peeth in Shringeri which is his southern monastery.
- Shringeri Sharada Peeth

सुवक्षोजकुम्भां सुधापूर्णकुम्भां प्रसादावलम्बां प्रपुण्यावलम्बाम् ।
सदास्येन्दुबिम्बां सदानोष्ठबिम्बां भजे शारदाम्बामजस्रं मदम्बाम् ॥
- Sharada Bhujangam - verse 1 (Shringeri Sharada Peeth was founded by Sri Adi Shankaracharya)

◍ Life: Born in Kaladi, Kerala. (Life)

◍ Sadhana & Philosophy:
• Knowledge of Brahman.
• Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta.

◍ Compositions:
• Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, principal Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.
• Composed Sanskrit Stotras on various Deities.

◍ Other Deeds:
• Founded four Mutts around the four corners of India.
• Believed to be the organiser of Dashanami monastic order and founder of Shanmata tradition of worship.

◍ Pilgrimages:
► Vadakkunnathan Temple: Parents of Adi Shankara prayed for a child.
► Kaladi: Birthplace of Adi Shankara.
► Omkareshwar - Shankaracharya Gufa: Adi Shankara met his guru Govindapada on the bank of river Narmada.
► Kashi: Lord Shiva gave darshan to Adi Shankara in the form of a Chandala with four dogs. Adi Shankara got disciple Sanandana.
► Badrinath: Adi Shankara wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, Gita and Upanishads.
► Prayag: Adi Shankara met Kumarila Bhatta (Mimamsa school) for a debate.
► Mahishmati: Adi Shankara had a debate with Mandana Mishra.
► Gokarna: Adi Shankara met disciple Hastamalaka.
► Shringeri - Sharada Peeth: Adi Shankara established the Sharada Peetha (Southern Mutt).
► Puri - Govardhan Mutt: Adi Shankara established the Govardhan Mutt (Eastern Mutt).
► Dwarka - Dwarka Mutt: Adi Shankara established the Dwarka Mutt (Western Mutt).
► Joshimath - Jyotir Math: Adi Shankara established the Jyotir Math (Northern Mutt).
► Kanchipuram - Kanchi Mutt: Adi Shankara is said to have established the Kanchi Mutt also.
► Kashmir - Sharada Peeth: Adi Shankara ascended the Sarvajna Peetham.
► Kedarnath - Shankaracharya Samadhi: Adi Shankara left the earthly abode from here.