MOTHER SARADA OF SRINGERI

THE TEMPLE COMPLEX AND ITS PATRONAGE

This Vidyasankar shrine is built in the Saradapitha campus itself. It is apsidal in design. There are beautifully sculptured dwarapalakas, and the outer walls are adorned with carvings of several puranic personages depicting episodes from the epics. The archamurthi is Lord Siva and is extremely enchanting with its huge size and adornments. Another object of worship is the august icon of Sarada; Vidyaranya installed this golden image of Sarada, replacing the sandalwood one by Adisankara. Many rulers of fame made rich endowments in form of jewels, vessels, vahanas, besides donating villages for the upkeep of the Mutt and the temple. The temple property in form of jewels made to Mother Sarada alone is a matter of great pride to the Mutt and an object of envy to several age-old temples. There are ruby figures of Venugopal and Srinivasa, and they display the exquisite craftsmanship and munificence of rulers and artistes. Of the four mutts of Sankara, this one has an enviable record of patronage extended by both Hindu and Muslim rulers.

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