Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
Recently, as per the age-old tradition related to the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, the holy mace (Chhari Mubarak) of Lord Shiva was brought to the ancient Shankaracharya Temple.
Important points:
- It is also known as the Jyesteshwara temple or Pas-Pahar by Buddhists. Persians and Jews call it Bagh-i-sulaiman or the Garden of King Solomon. Persian inscriptions are also found inside the temple.
- It is on top of the Shankaracharya Hill (also called Hill of Solomon) on the Zabarwan Mountain in Srinagar, Kashmir.
- The temple is considered as the oldest temple of the valley of Kashmir.
- It is dedicated to Lord Shiva The temple is at a height of 1,000 feet above the plain and overlooks the city of Srinagar.
- The temple dates to 200 BC, although the present structure probably dates to the 9th century AD.
- It was visited by Adi Shankara and has ever since been associated with him; this is how the temple got the name Shankaracharya.
Structure:
- This ancient temple is built in the indigenous early Kashmiri style of architecture and embraces the techniques prevailing in those days.
- The early Shihara style is prominently evident in the building design and is indicative of a horseshoe arch type of pattern.
- It is a massive stone structure built on a high octagonal plinth about thirty feet high.
- The plinth is surmounted by a low parapet wall. The shrine consists of a cell, circular inside, with a diameter of thirteen feet.
- The square building of the temple is supported by the basement.
Shankaracharya
He was also known as Adi Shankara. Born in Kaladi, Kerala in 788 CE.
Propounded the Doctrine of Advaita (Monism) and wrote many commentaries on the Vedic canon (Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and Bhagavad Gita) in Sanskrit.
- Brahmasutrabhasya (Bhashya or commentary on the Brahma Sutra).
- Bhajagovinda Stotra.
- Nirvana Shatakam.
SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT
