Gopuram

FOCUS KASHMIR



Kanchipuram and Kashmir

  • The great Saint Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, who hailed from the southern part of the country had travelled to Kashmir, more than two millenniums ago and spread the message of truth, oneness & harmony.
  • The Rajatarangini  authored by Kalhana has recorded the existence of a temple in the name of Shankaracharya and its renovation by a Kashmiri King Gopaditya. The Shankaracharya Hill on which the temple is situated in the heart of Srinagar is a place of great significance to the people of Kashmir and is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for those visiting Kashmir.
  •  The Kashmiri Pandits till date chant in their homes a hymn known as Gauri Dashakam composed by Adi Shankaracharya.
  • History shows age old connection existed between Scholars of Kashmir and Kanchipuram based on available works on Kashmiri Sharada Script. Sarvajna Peetam exists in both the places
  • Acharyas who have visited Kashmir
    • Shri Adi Sankara
    • Shri Shankara’s disciple Shri Sureshvara
    • The 16th Acharya Shri Gauda Sadashiva was a Kashmiri
    • Many later Acharyars are reverred by Kings as perceptors.
    • King Lalitaditya of Kashmir established Anna dana shala in the name of 31st Acharya Shri Shilianidhi Brahmanandaghana
    • Welfare of the Kashmiri people is uppermost in the minds of Their Holinesses Pujyasri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamiji and Pujyasri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamiji, who have performed yatras to J&K. The Seers have been striving hard towards the preservation of the Vedic Dharma there.

Sri Shankaracharya Hill- Shankaracharya Mandir

Their Holinesses at the Shankaracharya Hill The Shankaracharya temple in Kashmir is situated in the Srinagar district on a hill, at a height of 1100 ft. above surface level of the main city on the hill. It is believed that Raja Gopadatya got the temple constructed , giving it the name of Gopadri. Sri Adi Shankaracharya is supposed to have stayed here when he visited Kashmir to revive Sanatan Dharma, thus giving the temple the name of Shankaracharya Mandir and the hill itself is referred to as Shankaracharya Hill. The temple is of great importance, not only from the point of view of religion, but also from architectural viewpoint. A high octagonal platform supports the temple, approached by a flight of approximately hundred steps. The sidewalls of the steps once bore some valuable inscriptions. Their Holinesses Pujyasri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamiji and Pujyasri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamiji visited the hill temple during Their tour to Jammu & Kashmir in June 1997. Their Holinesses had visited several other temples in Jammu and Kashmir, and performed the Chandramouleeswara Puja at Their camping place.

Kashmir Cultural Heritage Awareness Lecture Series

With benign blessings of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swamiji, a series of lectures are being organized every week on the Cultural Heritage of Kashmir.



Books & Articles

Various books and articles.

Shlokas

Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam - Saraswati Mandir at Rambhan, J&K

Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam - Saraswati Mandir Temple at Rambhan, J&K - Jammu Kashmir With blessings of Pujya Shankaracharya Swamijis, a temple for Saraswati Devi was consecrated at Rambhan. Click here for details.

Discourse & Special Talks

Year-wise list of Special Events and Pujas

With benign blessings of Pujyashri Shankaracharya Swamiji of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, various spiritual and cultural activities and events and pujas are being held in Jammu & Kashmir for the past several years praying for the peace and welfare of Kashmiris. A brief list of some activities are given below:


Special Pujas & Events in 2023

Special Pujas & Events in 2021

Special Pujas & Events in 2019

Special Pujas & Events in 2017

Special Pujas & Events in 2016

Special Pujas & Events in 2015

Special Pujas & Events in 2014

Special Pujas & Events in 2013

Special Pujas & Events in 2012

Special Pujas & Events in 2011

Special Pujas & Events in 2010