Bharat Yatra - Kashmir ( Shankaracharya Temple ,Srinagar)

The Shankaracharya Temple (Kashmiri: शंकराचार्य मंदिर (Devanagari), شنکراچاریہ مندر (Nastaleeq)), also known as the Jyesteshwara temple or Pas-Pahar by Buddhists, is situated in the Zabarwan Mountain in Srinagar, Kashmir. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is on the summit of the same name at a height of 1,000 feet (300 m) above the plain and overlooks the city of Srinagar. The hill is also referred to as Takht i Suleiman (Throne of Solomon) and the temple also called "Throne of Solomon."It is believed that king Solomon came to worship on the hill which makes the place sacred from ancient times.

 

 

 

 

History & development

The temple dates back to 200 BC, although the present structure probably dates back to the 9th century AD. It was visited by Adi Shankara and has ever since been associated with him; this is how the hill/temple got the name Shankaraharya. It is also regarded as sacred by Buddhists. It was originally a Buddhist temple nearly 2500 years ago; the shiv ling was placed inside by Adi Shankaracharya on his visit to Kashmir; it became a Hindu temple.
According to Pandit Anand Koul (1924) the temple was originally built by "Sandiman" (unknown) who, according to Koul, reigned in Kashmir from 2629 to 2564 BC. It was repaired by King Gopaditya (426–365 BC) and by King Lalitaditya (697–734).Its roof was also repaired by Zain-ul-Abidin after an earthquake; later, its dome was repaired by Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin, a Sikh governor (1841–1846).