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The
Temple Complex
This Vidyasankar shrine is built in the Saradapitha campus itself.
It is apsidal in design. There are beautifully sculptured
dwarapalakas; the outer walls are adorned with carvings of several
puranic personages, depicting the episodes relating to their
memorable lives. The archamurthi is Lord Siva and is extremely
enchanting with its huge tiee and adornments. Another object of
worship here is the august icon of Sarada made of gold. Sri
Vidyaranya installed this golden image of Sarada replacing the
sandal wood one set up by Adisankara. Many rulers of fame made rich
endowments in the form of jewels, vessels, vahanas, besides donating
villages for the upkeep of the Mutt and the Devalaya. The Devalaya's
property in the form of jewels made to Mother Sarada alone is a
matter of great pride to the Mutt and an object of envy to the
several age-old Devalayas. There are enchanting figures of Venugopal
and Srinivasa made of ruby 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. The inscriptions narrate
rich donations made by the kings, Peshwas and Nawabs and
particularly like Hyderali and Tippu who vied with the rulers to
donate, endow and aid, whatever the Mutt needed for the propagation
of its activities. For Saradopasana, it is the fittest place of
inimitable antiquity.
This
holy town lies in the district of Chikmangalur of Karnataka enjoying
rail and roadways.
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