Sringeri Sharada Peetham

Sringeri Sharada Peetham is the first of the four cardinal mathas (monasteries) established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, representing the southern direction. The math is dedicated to Goddess Sharada (Saraswati). The temple complex sits on the banks of the Tunga River and is home to remarkable art, ancient manuscripts, and the Vidyashankara Temple — an architectural wonder with 12 zodiac pillars where sunlight falls on each pillar during its respective month. Sringeri has been a center of Advaita Vedanta scholarship for over 1,200 years.