Sri Shankaranarayana Temple: One of the Seven Holy Parashurama Kshetras
Introduction and Location
Sri Shankaranarayana Temple is one of the most sacred and rare temples in India, where Lord Shiva (Shankara) and Lord Vishnu (Narayana) are worshipped together in a single form. The holy place of Shankaranarayana is believed to have been established by Maharshi Parashurama and is counted among the seven divine kshetras created by him.
The village of Shankaranarayana, named after the temple, is situated in a serene valley near the Sahyadri mountain ranges in Udupi District, Karnataka, approximately 25 km from the Arabian Sea. Surrounded by lush greenery and hills, the temple offers a spiritually uplifting atmosphere to devotees.
Parashurama Kshetra Significance
The seven holy places known as Parashurama Kshetra include Subrahmanya, Udupi, Kumbhakashi, Koteshwara, Shankaranarayana, Kolluru, and Gokarna. These sacred sites are considered equivalent in sanctity to the seven holy cities of Rama Kshetra Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avanthika, and Puri making Shankaranarayana a highly revered pilgrimage destination.
Legend of Kroda Maharshi and Shankaranarayana
Shankaranarayana is also known as Kroda Kshetra, named after Kroda Maharshi. The Padma Purana (Pushkara Khanda, Chapter 24) describes how demons Kharasura and Rattasura troubled innocent people. Distressed by their cruelty, Kroda Maharshi performed intense penance, worshipping Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu together. Pleased with his devotion, the two deities manifested as Lord Shankaranarayana, destroyed the demons, and protected the people.
The hill beside the temple, where the Maharshi performed penance, is called Kroda Giri. At its summit, idols of Lord Shankaranarayana along with Goddess Gowri and Goddess Lakshmi are installed.
Garbhagudi and Udbhava Linga
The Shankara Linga is on the right and the Narayana Linga on the left. The Shiva Linga is round, while the Vishnu Linga is flat and bears the sacred footprints of Kamadhenu, believed to have poured milk here. Water is present around the Linga throughout the year, known as Suddhamrita Theertha, considered highly sacred.
Koti Theertha
Located in front of the temple, Koti Theertha is a large and beautiful sacred pond. Devotees first perform theertha prokshana here before darshan. Surrounded by coconut and arecanut groves, the pond is spiritually significant and used for rituals such as Theertha Snana and Pitratarpana. Among the 21 holy ponds in the area, Koti Theertha is the largest and most revered.
Address
Sri Shankaranarayana Temple
Kundapur – Agumbe Highway,
Shankaranarayana, Karnataka – 576227, India
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