Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the revered
temple is believed to have been constructed by Raja Gopadatya during 371 BC.
During the early period of its construction, the Shankaracharya Temple was known
as Gapadri. The renowned saint Shankaracharya is said to have stayed at this
temple when he visited Kashmir during the early part of the 19th
century. The chief aim of his visiting this place was to spread the philosophy
of Vedanta. This supposed to have been led to the renaming of the temple as
Shankaracharya Temple. Not only this, this great saint of India is also
responsible for spreading the devotion towards Lord Shiva in the region of
Jammu and Kashmir.
Significance
of the Temple
The Shankaracharya temple is of great
importance, not only from the religious point of view but also from the
magnificence of the architectural significance of this temple. The temple has a
high octagonal platform which supports the temple, which can be reached with by
climbing around hundred steps towards the temple. The sidewalls of these steps
once were carved with some valuable inscriptions. The Shankaracharya Temple
also holds some Persian inscriptions that date back to the rule of Mughal
Emperor Shah Jahan.
The temple that you see today has
undergone renovation for many times since the time it was built at this place.
The first renovation of the temple is said to have been done during the rule of
Lalitdaditya. Later on, the temple again had to be renovated after being
damaged by earthquake, by Zain-ul- Abideen. It was again repaired during the
Governorship of Sheikh Mohi-ud-Din. In addition to these renovations of the
temple, Maharaja Gulab Singh, who was a Dogra ruler, is said to have built the
stone steps that leads you to the temple. Earlier, the temple did not have any
electricity amenities, which was introduced in the year 1925.
The chief shrine of the temple that
survives till date, involves a circular cell that provides a breathtaking view
of the valley below. The inner sanctum of this temple has now been covered with
a modern ceiling.
Best Time to
Visit
Best time to visit the Shankaracharya temple is from the month of
September to October or during the early period of the winter season.
Accommodation
There is not much of a problem regarding accommodation. Though there are
no accommodation facilities within the premises of the temple, there are many
splendid structures close to the temple, which have been covered into excellent
hotels like Oberoi Palace Hotel and Karan Niwas.
How to Reach
By Road: The temple is easily accessible through road from Srinagar, as it
located at a distance of about 12 km from the main town of the city. Various
transportation facilities are available from Srinagar to this temple.
By Air: The nearest airport to this temple is Srinagar Airport, which is an
international airport and is connected with major cities of the country.
By Train: The nearest railway heads to this temple are Jammu Tawi or Udhampur
railway station.
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