The Shankaracharya temple is anchored in the Srinagar districton the hill accepted as Takht-e-Suleiman. It is housed at a height of 1100 feet aloft surface level of the capital city on the hill. It is believed that Raja Gopadatya got the temple complete in 371 BC, giving it the name of Gopadri.
The great philosopher Shankaracharya is declared to have stayed here if he visited Kashmir to animate Sanatan Dharma. This incident, which took abode ten centuries ago, led to the renaming of the temple as the Shankracharya temple.
The Shankracharya Mandir of Kashmir, India is committed to Lord Shiva and is thought to be the oldest shrine in the Kashmir valley. The temple, as it stands today, has undergone abounding aliment throughout its life. The aboriginal adjustment is declared to have been done beneath the rule of Lalitaditya. The additional repairs were undertaken by Zain-ul-Abideen after the temple got damaged in an earthquake.
These repairs were carried out during the Governorship of Sheikh Mohi-ud-Din. Maharaja Gulab Singh, a Dogra ruler, is accustomed for the rock accomplishes that structure a part of the access to the shrine. The electrification of the Shankracharya temple was done in 1925.
The temple is of immense importance, not only from the point of view of religion, but as well from architectural viewpoint. A top octagonal platform supports the temple, approached by a flight of about hundred steps. The sidewalls of the steps once bore some admired inscriptions.
There is as well a Persian inscription central the temple, dating back to Emperor Shahjahan's rule. The capital actual shrine, consisting of an annular cell, provides an arresting appearance of the basin below. The close alcove of the Shankaracharya temple, afterwards getting repaired, is now covered with a modern ceiling.
Early winter and the time from the month of September to October are considered to be the best time to visit this splendid Shankaracharya temple.
How to Get Here
By Air- The closest Airport is the Srinagar airport which is only 28 km from the away in Badgam District. This airport is very well connected by the prime cities of India.
By Rail- The closest railway station is Jammu which is only 300 km away from the away and it is as well very well connected by the other major cities of India.
By Road- Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir basin with India. Every array of carriage to clothing every account from Buses to Taxis plies on this Highway. It takes about 10 to 12 hours to cantankerous this mountainous road which crosses some admirable spots and the acclaimed Jawaharlal Tunnel connecting Kashmir Valley with India.
