Vidyasankara Temple

Vidyasankara Temple
Originally uploaded by Sidheart Chandrashaker

When Adi Shankaracharya was walking by the Tunga river, he saw a cobra with a raised hood, providing shelter from the hot sun, to a frog about to spawn. Impressed with the place where natural enemies had gone beyond their instincts, he selected the site as the place to stay and teach his disciples. The Vidyasankara temple architecture is an exhibition of the astronomical expertise of medieval south Indian temple builders. The main temple hall features 12 pillars designated for the 12 signs of the zodiac. Windows and doors along the temple walls are arranged such that equinoxes sunrise views reach the deity. The northern and southern gates enable the surise view from the hall during solstices.