Image Source: Namit Chauhan
About Shankar Math Temple
Shankar Math Temple, also known as Vishnu Mohini Temple or Aswatirth, is situated in Srinagar, Uttarakhand.On the banks of the river Alaknanda, in the premises of the SSB training centre, the temple is just opposite Baba Gorakhnath Cave in Srinagar. Inside the temple, idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Lakshmi, and the Shaligram form of Vishnu are held in veneration. The form of Vishnu without his Sudarshan chakra looks amazing to the eyes. It is believed that Shdarhshan Chakra was given by Shiva at Kamleshwara temple that lies close to the temple.
The association of the temple with the legends of Rishi and Mohini Laxmi increases the importance of the temple in Hinduism.
Since ancient times, Srinagar has been home to gods and goddesses. According to legend, Srinagar is a place where the Swayamvar’ of Vishvamohini took place during the Satyug.It’s believed the word Srinagar is derived from a Sri Yantra drawn from a huge stone slab.Several sacrifices of human lives were done in front of the Sri Yantra to please the divine powers.
Adi Shankaracharya
Adi Shankaracharya, who visited the place, felt very bad, and in order to stop this, he threw a slab of stone into Alaknanda, where it still lies.
Shankaracharya was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. At this place, he realised the power of Lord Shiva, which further led to the Shankara Math Temple. Later, Adi Shankaracharya constructed many temples, including the famous Raj Rajeshwar temple.