Adi Sankara's Shrine

Adi Shankara shrine is located at Kaladi, 45 Kms away from Kochi. It is open to all pilgrims irrespective of religion or caste. The shrine run by the Sringeri Math is a large, partly open structure situated right on the banks of the river Periyar. Of the two shrines here, one is dedicated to Sri Sankaracharya and the other to Goddess Saradamba, guardian deity of Sringeri. The evening prayers are conducted with chanting accompanied with the rhythmic ringing of cymbals at the small temple of Vinayaka or Ganapati situated nearby.

Sri Sankaracharya was born at Kaladi, as the only son of Sivaguru and Aryamba, a Kerala Brahmin couple. His early life was marked by several miraculous exploits that single him out for a divine role. Among the miraculous happenings associated with his life is one, when he is believed to have diverted the course of the river Poorna, then flowing one and a half kms away from the house, for his aged mother so that she could have her daily bath in the river without walking a long way. Even today one can see the river has taken an uncharacteristic turn towards the Sringeri Math shrine, believed to be the site of Sankara's house. The extra ordinary intelligent boy mastered the Vedas and completed his studies when he was merely 16 years of age.  He then spent many years of his life preaching the Vedic Dharma as well as its universality and superiority.  He established four 'Maths' at Sringeri, Dwaraka, Joshimath and Puri. At the age of 32, he attained 'mahasamadhi'.

There is an 8 storey-high brilliantly painted memorial, Sri Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthambam here. The entrance to the memorial, is guarded by two elephant statues. Several large statues of Ganapati, Adi Sankara and others are also housed in this memorial.