Shankaracharya Temple (Srinagar) :

Shankaracharya Temple is an ancient temple that finds its origin in the 4th century. Also Knows as the Jyesteshwara temple is located in Srinagar, Kashmir, India at 1100 feet above surface level of the main city on the Shankaracharya hill opposite to Dal-lake overlooking Srinagar Town.

The beautiful ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, was constructed by Raja Gopadatya of the Maurya dynasty in 371 B.C. and, as such, is the oldest shrine in Kashmir, though it is not certain if the temple exists in the same form as it had been built more than two thousands years ago. The first repair of the temple is believed to have been undertaken during the reign of Lalitaditya in the eighth century A.D.

Dogra ruler, Maharaja Gulab Singh, constructed stone stairs up to the temple. In 1925,the temple was electrifed.

The earlier name of the temple was Gopadri. It is believed that Shankracharya, the great philosopher, lived here during his trip to Kashmir to revive the Sanatan Dharma. The legend left the place centuries ago, ever since, the temple came to be known as Shankaracharya Temple.  

The beautiful temple commands an equally beautiful view from the mountain top of the valley, the town of Srinagar, the nearby villages and the surrounding mountains and Dal Lake.

The temple, besides a prominent religious place of Hindus, is of great archaeological importance.The structure of the temple boasts about the architectural style of those times. However, many additions and changes have been made to the original structure. Erected on a high octagonal platform, the temple can be reached by a flight of steps.