Shankaracharya temple is a beautiful Shiva temple situated at a height of 1100 feet on a picturesque location on the Gopadari Hill on the South East of Srinagar. Home to Shankaracharya when he visited Srinagar, the temple was built in 250 BC. Earlier known as the Gopadri Temple, it was renamed by King Lalitaditya as Shankaracharya Temple in the sixth century. The temple became more accessible after the Dogra ruler, Maharaja Gulab Singh, constructed the stairs. It is believed to be the oldest shrine in Kashmir. The shrine offers magnificent views of the snow covered peaks of the Pir Panjal range and the valley.
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The inner sanctum of the temple has a ceiling with Persian inscriptions, which dates back to the reign of Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan. The temple is supported by an octagonal platform. The shrine is popular among devotees and has architectural and religious importance. The best time to visit the temple is from May to September.
Photograph Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
BEST TIME TO VISIT SRINAGAR
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Srinagar is as given below. The best time to visit Srinagar is also specified.