Vidya Shankara Temple, Sringeri - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 1 km from Sringeri Bus Stand, Sri Vidyashankara Temple is a Hindu temple situated inside the Sharada Peetham Complex in Sringeri. It is one of thefamous temples to visit as part of Sringeri tour packages.

Sri Vidyashankara Temple was built in the memory of Guru Vidyashankara with the aid of the Vijayanagar rulers in the 14th century. The temple houses ruby images of Venugopala and Srinivasa and a Nandi made out of a large pearl. Several inscriptions in the temple describe contributions made by the Vijayanagar rulers. It is one of the best pilgrimage places to visit in Sringeri.

The Vidyashankara temple is a unique monument built combining Hoysala and Dravidian architectural styles. Built with golden-colored stone, the temple sits on a low platform in the middle of the large paved area. The mandapam is remarkable for its 12 zodiac pillars, known as Rasikambhas. The pillars are placed so that the early morning sun falls on a different one during each solar month. Each pillar bears a design of an animal. The exterior of the temple is richly ornamented with sculptures.

Timings: 6 AM - 2 PM & 5 - 9 PM