Sri Adi Shankaracharya Sharada Lakshminarasimha Peetam is an ancient Dharmapeetam directly established by Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya at the Puranic Kshetra Hariharapura, in Chikmagalur District, Karnataka. Lord Sri LakshmiNarasimha Swamy & Goddess Sri Sharada Parameswari are the presiding deities of this Dharmapeetam.
he holy land of Hariharapura, situated at the banks of River Thunga, is a Kshetra highly extolled by Vedic literatures. It is located at a distance of about 10 Kms from Koppa Taluk and 20 Kms from the famous pilgrim center of Sringeri, in the Western Ghats. It is a place replete with rich natural splendor, enveloped in deep serenity and divine presence. The reverberating Vedic chants amidst lush greenery and the gentle flow of River Thunga creates an exquisite ambience of divine fervor and becomes an ideal retreat for the human mind constantly stressed under stormy thoughts and emotions. A few moments at the Sharada LakshmiNarasimha Swamy Temple on the banks of the holy Thunga soothes the turbulent mind and instills immense peace and calmness.
Historic sources mention Hariharapura to have been an Agrahara ruled by Harihara Maharaya, the second ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. As per the 14th Century inscriptions, the place was renovated by the Maharaya and was named after him. Harihara Maharaya and the other Rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire had been very devoted to the Shankaracharya Dharmapeetam at Hariharapura and had donated many lands and villages to Sreemath as an expression of their reverence to the then Peetadhipathis. The Gazettes compiled during the beginning of 19th Century by Mr. Luis Rice (in 1916) and later by Sri C.Hayavadana Rao (in 1928) are major historical documents that present similar details:
‘ From the inscriptions at the place, it appears to have been an Agrahara established in 1418 by Sambanna Wodeyar in the reign of King Harihararaya of Vijayanagara kingdom and later named after him. The religious establishment at Sringeri was intimately connected with the foundation Vijayanagar empire. And King Harihararaaya, one of the brothers from whom the Royal line had descended, gave his name to the Agrahara of Hariharapura’.
Kshetras inhabited by Yogis and Maharishis are highly praised and respected in the Vedic tradition. Hariharapura, located in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, is one such ancient Kshetra that has been constantly populated by Yogis and Tapasvis since time unknown.
The river Thunga flowing at Hariharapura is called Uttaravahini. The Kshetras where rivers flow as Uttaravahini are regarded great Siddha Kshetras, where performing any kind of worship or spiritual Sadhana yields manifold benefits. Hariharapura is one such powerful Siddha Kshetra discussed in high praise by various religious texts and Puranas. Vedic Seers refer this Kshetra as a very effective pilgrimage that is capable of warding off all sins and granting both spiritual & material upliftment.
The Puranic history of Hariharapura dates back to the episode of Daksha Maha Yajna. Skanda Purana (Sahyadri Kanda) addresses Hariharapura by the name “Dakshashrama” – the place where Daksha Maha Yajna took place. As per the well known legend of Daksha Yajna, Lord Shiva, enraged by the loss of Sati Devi (Dakshayini), ordered Veerabhadra to slay Daksha Prajapati. However, on the prayers of Sages and other devotees, the Lord pardoned Daksha Prajapati and restored him to life with a goat’s head.
At the end of this chapter, the Purana describes that Lord Shiva Himself emerged from the Yajna Kunda, and blessed Daksha Prajapati, the Devas, the Sages and the others gathered. As per the Puranic detail, even today, we can find an ancient temple of “SWAYAMBHU DAKSHAHARA SOMESHWARA” (self manifested deity of Lord Shiva) at Hariharapura. It is also known that prior to the present name of ‘Hariharapura’, this Kshetra was earlier called as ‘Kapalam’, a name indicative of the Shiva Sannidhya at the place. Hariharapura, thus being the sacred land where Lord Shiva Himself dwells as a Yajna Purusha, is regarded a Yaga Bhoomi – a very auspicious and effective location to perform Homas/Yajnas.
Ancient literatures glorify Hariharapura as a prominent Sri Lakshminarasimha Kshetra. It is the place where Agastya Maharishi was blessed with the Pratyaksha Anugraham of Lord Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy.
It is known that Agastya Maharishi, who came south after subduing the Vindhyachala, had performed penance at many centres in South India. At this Divyakshethra Hariharapura, Sage Agastya performed rigorous penance worshipping Lord Sri Lakshminarasimha.
Thus, having been the Tapovanam of great Sage Agastya, Hariharapura is also praised as a Tapo Bhoomi – the Land of Penance. The Sri Lakshminarasimha deity and Saligrama worshipped by Sage Agastya are still worshipped in the Sri Sharada Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple at Hariharapura.
In addition to being a Yaga Bhoomi and Tapo Bhoomi, Hariharapura also became a Jnana Bhoomi with the arrival of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Moved by the "Divinity" at this place, Sri Adi Shankaracharya consecrated the deity of Goddess Sri Sharada Parameswari with the installation of SriChakra. With the consecration of the Supreme Mother, Sri Adi Shankaracharya established a Dharmapeetam at this Kshetra. Thus came the renowned Adi Shankaracharya Sharada LakshmiNarasimha Peetam at Hariharapura.
During this time, a young bramhachari was performing penance at Hariharapura. He was a renowned scholar adept in the Veda Shastras and endowed with the divine qualities of peace, self control, compassion and mastery over all senses. Sri Adi Shankaracharya saw this young Yogi deeply absorbed in Tapasya.
Immensely pleased with the unflinching sincerity and devotion of Krishna Yogeendra, Sri AdiShankaracharya blessed him and explained to him in detail about the greatness of this sacred Daksha Kshetra (Hariharapura). Sri Adi Shankaracharya also gave Mantra Deeksha to Krishna Yogeendra and directed him to perform Devi Pooja, worshipping Goddess Sri Sharada Parameshwari.
Soon after this, Sri Sureshwaracharya, one of the direct disciples of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, visited Hariharapura. The Acharya gave Sanyasa Deeksha (initiation into Sanyasa) to Krishna Yogeendra with the title name “Sri Swayamprakasha Krishna Yogeendra Saraswathi”, and made Him the first Peetadhipathi of the renowned "SRI ADISHANKARACHARYA SHARADA LAKSHMINARASIMHA PEETAM" at Hariharapura.
From then on Sreemath Hariharapura has been a prominent Shankaracharya Dharmapeetam. the Acharyas adorning this Dharmapeetam have been practicing and propagating Sanatana Dharma. Being a Dharmapeetam directly established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, Sreemath Hariharapura boasts a glorious history and heritage with a prestigious lineage of Guruparampara. The Jagadgurus of this Dharmapeetam have been great Yogis and Tapasvis, who have transformed the lives of many, by spreading Dharma in every nook and corner of the society. In this illustrious line of Acharyavaryas of Sreemath Hariharapura. Following the footsteps of Sri Adishankaracharya, present 25th Peethadhipathi Paramapoojya Srimajjagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Swayamprakasha Sachidananda Saraswathi Mahaswamiji with the devine direction by propagating Sanatana Dharma by offering "SHIVADEEKSHA", and preaching "SAMANA SAMSKARA" to create awareness in the society "ALL-ARE-EQUAL" "ALL-ARE-DIVINE"
| FOUNDER | SRI ADI SHANKARACHARYA |
|---|---|
| PRESIDING DEITIES | Sri LakshmiNarasimha Swamy Sri Sharada Parameswari |
| TRADITION | Advaita Smartha |
| DASHANAMI SAMPRADAYAM | Saraswathi, Indra |
| VEDA | Rig Veda |
| MAHAVAKYA (RIG VEDA) | प्रज्ञानं ब्रह्म Prajnyaanam Brahma (Super consciousness is Brahma) |
| PRESENT PEETADHIPATHI | Paramapoojya Srimajjagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Swayamprakasha Sachidananda Saraswathi MahaSwamiji |