Sharadamba Temple, Chikmagalur, Karnataka - Ancient temple, Dravidian architecture
Sharadamba Temple is one of the most popular religious shrines in the district of Chikmagalur and is renowned for its artistic modern Dravidian style of architecture. Supposed to be built in the period of Adi Shankaracharya, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Sharada Parameswari who is the goddess of knowledge. The temple has a gopuram at the entrance and the idol of the goddess is placed at the Garbhagriha. The beautiful idol is made up of polished granite in which the goddess is placed in a seated position on the Sriyantra on a golden throne. The entire sanctum sanctorum of the temple is decorated with huge pillars with wonderful carvings done on them. Another fascinating feature of the shrine is Vyakhyana Simhasanam that represents Sarvajna Peeta, the seat of transcendental wisdom.
