The strings of destiny drew us like puppets to Shankaracharya birth place in Kalady, Kerala, India, on the trail of Adi Shankara. Adi Shankaracharya is the colossal philosopher, theologian, and saint who streamlined the doctrines of Hinduism and advocated the philosophy of Advaita. Though born in the southern extremity of India in Kerala, he travelled the length and breadth of India, not once, not twice, but thrice. What he achieved in his short life span of just 32 years cannot be achieved in 32 lifetimes of lesser mortals.
A picture of a man with a divine expression draped in an orange garb, that occupied pride of place at home as a child had always held a strange fascination. So much so that a 4-year-old had gone with parents in tow to meet, ‘The Shankracharya”, though of course, this was a Jagadguru from the Sringeri Peetham, centuries after Adi Shankaracharya. So it was no surprise that many years later, destiny drew us to Kalady, which literally means footprints.
Daylight and darkness, dusk and dawn, winter and springtime come and go. Time plays and life ebbs away. But the storm of desire never leaves.
From Adi Shankara’s Bhaja Govindam
Table of Contents
Shankaracharya Birth Place & The Life of Sri Adi Shankaracharya
After being mesmerized by the natural beauty of the Athirapally falls which is about 73 kilometres from Kochi, on our way back we were blessed to visit Shankracharya’s birth place in Kaladi. We were surprised to realize that the Adi Shankaracharya birth place is hardly 7 kilometres from Cochin International Airport, and literally within the city of Kochi, in Ernakulam District. It was an experience beyond the ordinary as we entered the hallowed portals of the very place where thousands of years ago a baby’s cry had heralded the advent of a man who would show the world the path to liberation, a man the world would come to revere as Adi Guru Shankaracharya.
The life of a man is as uncertain as rain drops trembling on a lotus leaf. Know that the whole world remains a prey to disease, ego, and grief.
From Adi Shankara’s Bhaja Govindam
Adi Shankara Sthoopam Temple | Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthambha Mandapam
Our car pulled up beside a tall octagonal structure that rose to the skies. This was just off the main road on our way to the Shankaracharya birth place in Kalady. This structure that loomed high above us is a memorial built for Adi Shankaracharya by the Kanchi Kamakoti Math. It is known as Sri Adi Shankara Keerthi Sthamba Mandapam or simply as Shankara Sthoopam.
The idols of Shankaracharya and Ganesha are placed in the sanctum-sanctorum, and the symbolic Padukas of Adi Shankaracharya occupies the prime position. A winding flight of stairs leads to the top of the structure which is 6- storeys high.
As you climb the stairs, the life of Adi Shankara literally unveils before you in the form of paintings that depict his life on the walls. The climb to the top is an exhilarating experience that gives the bliss of climbing spiritual heights. The view from the top is also a spectacular sight to behold.
So long as a man is fit and able to support his family, see the affection all those around him show. But no one at home cares to even have a word with him when his body totters due to old age.
From Adi Shankara’s Bhaja Govindam
Shankaracharya Birth place | Sri Adishankara Janmabhumi Kshetram, Kalady, Kerala
A serene aura envelops the place as we make our way into the area that is believed to have been the birthplace of one of the earliest and arguably the greatest of philosophers of India. No phones or cameras are allowed into the premises and we did not mind at all, as we wanted to experience the divine vibes of the place without any distractions.
The temple complex that has been built over the area which thousands of years ago was the place where the home of Shankaracharya stood. Today there are two main temples here. One is dedicated to Adi Shankaracharya himself, while the other is dedicated to the Goddess Sharadamba who is the main deity of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham. There is also a small temple dedicated to Ganesha in the complex.
Another sacred place inside the premises of Shankaracharya birth place is the Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya’s mother, Aryamba. It is said that when the 33rd Jagadguru of the Sringeri Peetham identified Kalady as Shankaracharya birth place and had the temples of Shankaracharya and Sharadamba built. At that time when he was on his way to Kalady, he had a vision in which a lady in white appeared and told him that she lived in a tree and invited him to Kalady. When in Kalady, the Jagadguru found a Peepal tree not far from where the temples were built at the location of Shankaracharya birth place.
The locals prayed and circumambulated around the tree and there was also a lamp that burned constantly on an ancient stone pedestal near the tree. The Jagadguru connected the place to the vision and realized that it was the spirit of Aryamba who had appeared in his vision. The place near the tree was then identified as the place where Aryamba must have been cremated and is now one of the sacred places with the premises of Shankaracharya birth place.
The childhood is lost by attachment to playfulness. Youth is lost by attachment to woman. Old age passes away by thinking over many past things. But there is hardly anyone who wants to be lost in parabrahmam.
From Adi Shankara’s Bhaja Govindam
Sri Krishna Temple, Kalady | Shankaracharya Birth Place
There is an ancient temple dedicated to Krishna towards the west of the Shankaracharya birth place. This temple is believed to date back to the time of Adi Shankara. There are many legends associated with the temple. Krishna was the family deity of Adi Shankara and it is said that when he was a child his prayers to Sri Krishna ensured that the Periyar river then known as Poorna river altered its course. As the Krishna temple now came underwater, it is believed that Adi Shankaracharya had the idol re-installed and consecrated at a new place, which is where it stands today.
Some legends also associated the temple with the birth of the famous Kanaka Dhara Stotram. The Kanaka Dhara Yajnam is a famous annual ritual of the temple, in which 32 priests recite the Kanaka Dhara Stotram, the number 32 represents the life span of Adi Shankaracharya.
The Sri Krishna temple is owned by a trust which consists of the two families of Namboodris who are descendants of those who helped Adi Shankaracharya cremate the mortal remains of his mother Aryamba.
Crocodile Ghat | Muthala Kadavu
Just behind the Shankaracharya birth place flows the river that is now known as Periyar. The River Periyar was known as Purna in ancient times. We walked towards the ghat marked by a board. A raised platform overlooks the river, the same river that played a crucial role in the life of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. A river that has been a mute witness to the march of history on its bank. It is the same river that changed its course listening to the impassioned plea of a young Shankara.
As we stood looking down at the river, which was dry now, the years seemed to roll away and we could almost see a young boy caught in the jaws of a crocodile.
Adi Shankaracharya was drawn to Sanyasa at a very young age. He wanted to devote his life to the study and propagation of the true essence of the Vedas, Upanishads, and the other scriptures of Sanatana Dharma. His young mind realized that this would be possible only by treading on the path of renunciation, Sanyasa. But his mother Aryamba was reluctant to let her son go, after all, he was her life, having lost her husband quite early.
One day it so happened that the legs of the young boy Shankara were caught by the jaws of a crocodile while bathing in the Poorna river. He shouted to his mother Aryamba on the riverbank, that the crocodile was pulling him into the river and would release him only if she agreed to his taking Sanyasa. Aryamba was caught in the jaws of a dilemma. She agreed to let Shankara go in search of his destiny, reluctantly. The crocodile released Shankara and Aryamba blessed her son and bade him farewell as he left in search of a Guru who would show him the path to knowledge.
It is a peaceful and serene place today, the wind blowing across the banks of the river seemed to whisper, “Shankara”, “Shankara”, as we stood awed by the place where history had scripted a fascinating chapter of India.
Kalady Kadavu | Aarattu Kaduvu
This is another significant place that was literally a turning point in the life of Shri Adi Shankaracharya. This is the place where the Poorna river is believed to have taken a turn and changed its course to flow behind the home where the young Shankara lived with his mother Aryamba. It is also believed that The young Shankaracharya bathed the idol of Krishna here before having it re-installed and consecrated in Sri Krishna Temple nearby.
Swarnath Mana – Kanakdhara Stotram Birth Place | Swarnattu Mana
About 20 kilometres from the Shankaracharya birth place is located an ancient house known as Swarnath Mana or Golden House. This house is believed to be the very house that Adi Shankaracharya had visited as a child to ask for alms. On being given a single gooseberry, which was all that the poor family living there had, he had sung the famous Kanaka Dhara Stotram. The heavens had showered golden gooseberries on the house and bestowed it with eternal prosperity. Descendants who trace their lineage to the family who had lived here during the time of Adi Shankaracharya still stay in the same house.
How Kalady Got Its Name | The Legend of Kalady
Legend has it that an elderly Namboodri Brahmin couple Aryamba and Sivaguru who were devotees of Shiva were blessed with a son. Sivaguru died when the boy was still very young and the boy stayed with his mother. His mother used to walk a long way to fetch water from the river.
One day it so happened that while returning from the river, Aryamba fainted with exhaustion before the petrified eyes of the little boy. The boy, overcome with grief at the condition of his mother, prayed to the River Goddess. The Goddess overcome with compassion for the little boy and his selfless love for his mother appeared before him.
“From today, the river shall flow from where your footprints mark the earth”, said the Goddess. The river which in those days was called Purna altered its course and started flowing right behind the home of Aryamba.
Of course, the boy was Shankara who went on to become the most revered of philosopher saints of ancient India, Adi Shankracharya. The place came to be known as Kalady which means footprints.
Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda. Oh fool! Rules of Grammar will not save you at the time of your death.
From Adi Shankara’s Bhaja Govindam
Places To See In Kalady
Apart from Sankracharya birth place there a few more important sights to be experienced in Kalady. Here is a list of important places to see in Kalady.
- Shankaracharya Birth place at Kaladi | Shankara Temple
- Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthambha Mandapam
- Sri Krishna Temple
- Kalady Kadavu
- Crocodile Ghat
- Swarnattu Mana
- Thekke Madam
- Nayathodu Sankara Narayana Temple
- Mattoor Thiru Vellaman Thulli Siva Temple
Daylight and darkness, dusk and dawn, winter and springtime come and go. Time plays and life ebbs away. But the storm of desire never leaves.
From Adi Shankara’s Bhaja Govindam
The Life Of Adi Shankracharya In Brief
It was the time when Sanatana Dharma which is what Hinduism of the ancient Vedas and Upanishads was being swept away by different and conflicting currents of thought. Atheism, wrong interpretation of Vedic thought and even anti-Vedic thought were stifling the pristine precepts of the Sanatana Dharma. Buddhism was sweeping the length and breadth of India. Into such an India, caught in such a whirlpool of turmoil was born Adi Shankracharya.
Adi Shankaracharya is universally recognized as the single force who within the span of his short life rejuvenated and revitalized the principles of Sanatana Dharma.
It is interesting to note that though there were at least 14 biographies of Adi Shankara, and numerous other hagiographies, filled with incidents attributed o his life, however, nothing was known of Shankracharya birth place. It was only about 100 years ago in the early 20th century that Shankracharya birth place was re-discovered.
Reinassance Of Kalady – Birthplace Of Adi Shankaracharya Near Kochi
The credit for bringing the Shankracharya birth place from the darkness of obscurity to the light of truth goes to Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrusimha Bharati Mahaswami, who was the 33rd Acharya of the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, in an unbroken Guru Parampara started by Shri Adi Shankara himself. The Sringeri Sharda Peethams was the first of the four Mathas in the four cardinal directions of India that Adi Shankara established.
Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrusimha Bharati Mahaswami, zeroed in on Kalady as the Shankaracharya birth place based on accounts in the Madhaviya Shankara Digvijayam which is considered to be the most authentic, traditional, and popular Shankaracharya Biography. The Madhaviya Shankara Digvijayam is itself attributed to Sri Vidyaranya who was the 12th Jagadguru of Sringeri Peetham.
Thanks to the relentless efforts of the 33rd Jagadguru of the Sringeri Peetham who was helped by many including the then Dewan of Mysore, Seshadri Iyer, and the rulers of Travancore, on the 21st of February 1910, the temples of Shankracharya and Shardamaba were consecrated at the place identified as the Shankaracharya birth place in Kalady.
On this occasion, the Jagadguru also released the first 10 volumes of his literary magnum-opus, which was Shankara Granthavali or, “The Complete Works of Shankaracharya”. Another initiative taken by the Jagadguru was to start the celebrations of the birth anniversary of the birth of Adi Shankara known as Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti or Shankara Jayanti.
Watch this video by the Sringeri Sharada Peetham to see how Kalady was established as the authentic Shankaracharya Birth Place.
Birth & Early Childhood
Shankara was born in Kalady to the childless couple Sivaguru and Aryamba who were staunch devotees of Shiva. Even as a child Shankara exhibited many divine traits that were demonstrated through various incidents of his childhood. Unfortunately, he lost his father at a very tender age and was nourished with the love of his mother whom he too loved dearly.
Shankara’s mother Aryamba conducted his Upanayanam ceremony with the help of relatives and the young boy was initiated into the knowledge of the Vedas. His inner glow reflected his faith in God. Destiny beckoned Shankara as the call for renunciation and Sanyasa became irresistible. He yearned for the feet of a Guru who would show him the light.
Legend has it that one day while bathing in the river, Shankara’s leg was caught by a crocodile. He shouted to his mother on the river bank that the crocodile was dragging him into the water and would free him only if she acceded to his request of taking Sanyasa. The mother though tormented by the prospect of parting with her son agreed immediately so that at least his life would be spared. So blessed by his mother, the young Shankara set off on his quest to find the Guru who would show him the path.
Finding The Guru
Shankara found his Guru on the banks of the river Narmada. He was Govinda Bhagvatapada, a disciple of Gaudapada who was the author of the famous Karika on the Manduka Upanishad. Through the grace of his Guru, Shankara became Shankaracharya and was illuminated with the knowledge of Brahman by the four Mahavakyas. The Guru also taught him the Vedanta Sutras.
After the completion of his formal studies under Govinda, Bhaktapada Shankaracharya proceeded to Varanasi. He travelled to Badri and during his stay there he wrote his commentary on the Vedanta Sutras of Vyasa which also includes the famous Adhyasa Bhashya which is a short prelude or introduction to the Vedanta Sutras.
The Resurrection of Sanatana Dharma
During his stay in Varanasi, he wrote commentaries on the Gita, Brahma Sutras, and the Upanishads. By this time he had gained recognition as a unique philosopher and theologian who was well versed in the tenets of Advaita of the Sanatana Dharma. Shankaracharya propagated his philosophy of Advaita through his writings and numerous debates where he debated with arguments from diverse philosophies.
In order to propagate as well as sustain the principles of Advaita Adi Shankaracharya established four Mutts in the four directions at Sringeri, Puri, Dwaraka, and Badrinath.
During his short life on earth, Shankaracharya was a prolific writer and not only wrote commentaries on the scriptures but many hymns that even today stir the emotions of people with their pristine divinity. Sri Shankaracharya composed hymns to different Gods and Goddesses like Vishnu, Shiva, Subrahmanya, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Shardamba, and others. Some of the famous hymns attributed to Shankaracharya include Kanaka Dhara Stotra, Soundarya Lahari, and Sivananda Lahari among others.
Weapons do not cut This (Atma); nor does fire does burn It. Water does not wet (nor drown) nor does wind dry It. This (Atma) cannot be slain, nor burnt, nor wetted, nor dried up. It is changeless, all-pervading, stable, immovable and eternal.
Bhagavan Sri Krishna
The Passing Away of Aryamba
When the boy Shankara left his mother to take Sanyasa, he had told her that he would be by her side whenever she required him. Years later when he was in Sringeri, he suddenly had an intuition that his mother was at the doors of death. He immediately reached Kaladi using his divine powers and helped her leave the world absorbed in a state of pure consciousness.
The neighbours and relatives in Kalady scorned Adi Shankaracharya saying that he was a Sanyasi and did not help him in the conduct of his mother’s funeral rites. They did not even provide the fire to light the funeral pyre and Shankracharya used his divine powers to generate fire from his palms. There were only members of two Namboodri families who became the pallbearers for Aryamba’s body. Today the descendants of these families are the trustees of the Sri Krishna temple.
The Ascent | The End Of An Epoch
In his 33rd year, Sri Adi Shankaracharya proceeded to Kedara (Kedarnath). There it is said he was seen last walking towards the mountains. He disappeared into the mountains, an avatar whose work had been accomplished.
The Madhaviya Shankara Vijayam describes the ascension of Adi Shankaracharya who is considered an Avatar of Shiva himself, to Kailasa in beautiful words.
“There came a concourse of Rishis and Devas with Brahma as their head to lead the incarnate aspect of Shiva back to his pristine state in Shivaloka. The divine bull Nandi came and stood before him. To the chorus of hymns, rain of Kalpaka flowers, the great Sanyasin mounting the back of Nandi with Brahma supporting him transformed himself into real form as the great Shiva and attained to his divine abode.”
Do not boast of wealth, friends, and youth. Each one of these are destroyed within a minute. Free yourself from the illusion of the world of Maya and attain the timeless Truth.
From Adi Shankara’s Bhaja Govindam
Three simple teachings of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya
- Offer your mind to God
- Keep the company of Satpurushas
- Shed your ego
Adi Shankaracharya Life Incidents
The life of Shri Shankaracharya is a shining beacon that guides the spiritually inclined even today. Not only that, many incidents in his life, the legends and stories associated with him explain complex dogmas in simple terms. Here are some of the inspiring and fascinating incidents from his life.
The Legend of Kanaka Dhara Stotra
One of the very famous and beautiful hymns of Adi Shankara is the Kanaka Dhara Stotra. This hymn was spontaneously composed and sung by Adi Shankaracharya when he was still a child not very far from Kalady. The famous incident associated with the Kanaka Dhara Stotra took place barely 22 kilometres from the Shankaracharya Birth Place.
Adi Shankaracharya when still a child went for Bhiksha to a house. A woman came out and offered him a single gooseberry, which was the only food they had in their home. Adi Shankaracharya was overcome with compassion for their state and spontaneously burst into prayer to Goddess Lakshmi in the form of the Kanaka Dhara Stotram. At this point, a miracle happened. A heap of golden gooseberries rained on the house, eradicating their poverty.
It is interesting to note that the very house where this miracle took place still exists where the descendants of the family blessed by the Goddess Lakshmi through the divine intervention of Adi Shankaracharya still stay. The place is called Swarnattu Mana or Swarnath Mana – Kanakdhara Stotram Birth Place.
The Debate With Mandana Mishra And Ubhaya Bharati
Adi Shankara is well known for his debates about Advaita with thinkers and philosophers who subscribed to varying philosophies. One such famous debate was with Mandana Mishra who was a follower and staunch proponent of the Karma Mimamsa school of thought. Mandana Mishra lived in the village of Mahishi, which was located on what is present-day Bihar.
In the debate, Adi Shankaracharya with his irrefutable logic won over the arguments put forward by Mandana Mishra. Sensing the divinity of Adi Shankaracharya, Mandana Mishra surrendered and fell at the feet of Adi Shankaracharya with the utmost reverence and humility.
Present during the debate was the wife of Mandana Mishra named Ubhaya Bharati who herself was a noted scholar. On seeing her husband’s defeat, she requested Sri Shankaracharya to debate with her too. The subject she chose for the debate was Kama Sutra, knowing fully well that Adi Shankaracharya was a Bsal Brahmachari, a sanyasi who was a celibate from birth.
Adi Shankracharya requested for a month to prepare himself for the debate. He then with the help of his disciples and his Yogic powers located the body of a dead king named Amaruka. He then entered the body of the dead king, asking his disciples to guard his own body. He then left for the king’s palace asking his disciples to come to the palace within a month to remind him of his real form.
Adi Shankaracharya lived in the palace and acquired knowledge of the Kama Sutra. As bidden by him his disciples arrived as musicians in the court of King Amaruka and reminded him of his true form. In the meanwhile, the ministers of King Amaruka seeing a strange glow in the King had concluded that some noble soul must have entered the body of the king. They passed orders to cremate any dead body found abandoned and uncared for.
They found the body of Adi Shankaracharya and started burning it even as he re-entered his body. The great sage immediately prayed to Lord Narasimha, chanting what was later named as the Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalamba Stotram. The fire got extinguished by the grace of Narasimha and Adi Shankaracharya and his disciples proceeded to the house of Mandana Mishra for the debate with Ubhaya Bharati.
Adi Shankaracharya defeated Ubhaya Bharati in the debate. He then addressed Ubhaya Bharati as Saraswati and told her that he knew that she was the incarnation of Brahma’s wife, Saraswati. He also told her that he would build a temple to her in Rishyasringagri (Sringeri) for her. It is said that after this, Ubhaya Bharati ascended to the heavens.
Mandana Mishra became one of the four chief disciples of Adi Shankaracharya and was bestowed with the name of Sureshwara. He was later entrusted with looking after the Sringeri Mutt, one of the four Mutts that were established by Adi Shankaracharya.
Things To Know About Adi Shankaracharya
Adi Shankaracharya Stotras
Adi Shankaracharya not only wrote erudite treatises and commentaries on the Upanishads and other ancient Hindu scriptures, but he also composed soul-stirring hymns or Stotras. He composed beautiful hymns to Ganesha, Subrahmanya, Shiva, Guru, Vishnu, Narasimha, and others. Here are some of Adi Shankaracharya’s famous hymns.
Kanaka Dhara Stotram
This is a hymn in praise of Goddess Lakshmi and is associated with a famous incident from Adi Shankaracharya’s childhood.
Buy online Kanaka Dhara Stotram books here.
Matru Panchakam
This was probably the only stotra that Adi Shankaracharya wrote which was not in praise of a God or Goddess. It was an ode to his mother Aryamba that he composed at the time of her death.
Sivananda Lahiri
This is a hymn in praise of Shiva that was composed by Adi Shankaracharya when he was at Srisailam. The hymn consists of 100 stanzas.
Buy online Sivananda Lahiri books here.
Soundarya Lahari
The Soundarya Lahari is a hymn dedicated to Goddess Parvati and is made of 103 stanzas or shlokas.
Buy online Soundarya Lahari books here.
Bhaja Govindam
The famous Bhaja Govindam is a beautiful composition that captures the essence of the Advaita philosophy of Sri Adi Shankaracharya in simple yet beautiful verse. It is also a landmark composition as it demonstrates that Adi Shankracharya though identified with the Jnana Marga or path of knowledge was also not averse to the Bhakti Marga or the path of devotion to attain Mukti or salvation.
Buy online books on Bhaja Govindam here.
Dasa Shloki
It is believed that Dasa Shloki which consists of 10 shlokas emerged from the mouth of Shankaracharya spontaneously when he first met his Guru, Sri Govinda Bhagavatapada. Legend has it that it when the young Shankara first met Sri Govinda Bhagvatapada, he was in deep meditation, and asked Shankara, “Who are you?” Shankara’s answer to this was in the form of the Dasa Shloki.
You can buy online CD’s of Soundarya Lahari and other Stotras here.
Four Mathas of Shankaracharya | Shankaracharya Math
In his colossal endeavour to re-establish the hallowed supremacy of Vedanta and to revive and revitalize Sanatana Dharma, Adi Shankaracharya established four Mutts in the four directions. These Mutts were meant to be centres of learning and spiritual thought, places that would lead the seekers of Truth to their destination. The mutts were called Amnaya Mutts.
Sri Adi Shankaracharya assigned one Veda each to each of these Mutts, with the aim of ensuring that each one of them could focus on the sustenance and propagation of that particular Veda. He also assigned one of his chief disciples to oversee the functioning of each of these Mutts.
The four Mutts established by Shankaracharya, the Vedas assigned to each, and the place of these Mutts are shown in the table below.
| Sr. No | Direction | Name of Mutt | Location | Veda | Designated Disciple |
| 1 | South | Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham | Sringeri | Yajurveda | Sureshwara |
| 2 | East | Purvamnaya Sri Govardhana Peetham | Puri | Rigveda | Hastamalaka |
| 3 | West | Sri Pashimamnaya Kalika Peetha | Dwarka | Samaveda | Padmapada |
| 4 | North | Uttarāmnāya Śrī Jyotir Pītham | Badrinath | Atharvaveda | Totaka |
Shankaracharya Books
Adi Shankaracharya was a genius, philosopher, theologian, and saint. He fused Karma, Jnana, and Bhakti and demonstrated that these were not independent of each other as a means to salvation. Adi Shankara has written commentaries or Bhashyas of all the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Brahma Sutras, and has also authored a number of short Advaita treatises called Prakarana Granthas.
In addition, Adi Shankara has also composed a multitude of hymns. One of the famous works of Adi Shankaracharya is the Viveka Chudamani which is a Prakarana Grantha, and is an embodiment of Adi Shankaracharya Teachings.
Click here to buy books online by and on Adi Shankaracharya.
How To Get To Kalady – Shankaracharya Birth Place
- Kalady is located in Ernakulam district of Kerala in India
- Kalady is located about 7 kilometres from Cochin International Airport
- Kalady is about 51 kilometres from Fort Kochi
Are you thinking of visiting the hallowed Shanakaracharya birth place? If so, you can book a flight right here through TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline. You can also do road trips to many interesting destinations in Kerala like Kumarakom, Allepey, Thekkady, and Athirapally from Kochi. You can also get to Kochi from within India by self-drive car or cab or bus or alternatively take a train.
Where To Stay When Visiting Kalady – Shankaracharya Birth Place
Kalady is for all practical purposes a part of Kochi, so you can stay anywhere in Kochi and visit Kalady from there. Cherai is quite near to Kalady and you can choose to stay near the pristine beach and backwaters of Cherai or you can even stay at Fort Kochi which is the heart of the heritage and culture of Kochi. A nice boutique hotel in Cherai where we stayed is Le Petit, while in Fort Kochi, one of the beautiful heritage hotels where we stayed is Forte Kochi.
You can book any of these hotels or any other hotel of your choice in Kochi, Kerala, right here through,
TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Agoda or Makemytrip or Priceline and save a lot by getting the best deals on booking your stay.
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Other Places to Visit in And Near Kochy When Visiting Shankaracharya Birth Place
When you plan a visit to the Shankaracharya birth place in Kalady you can also plan to visit many of the attractions of Kochi as well as nearby places that make for excellent day trips from Kochi.
While planning your Kochi itinerary you can also opt for tour packages of Kochi and enjoy some of the most recommended Kochi tours. You can now book tours in Kochi as well as activities in Kochi right here.
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Kalady – Shankaracharya Birth Place & Adi Shankaracharya – FAQ
What is known about Adi Shankaracharya Mother Aryamba’s death?
What is known is that Aryamba died when Adi Shankaracharya was in Sringeri. With his divine powers, he reached Kalady, but his mother had already breathed her last. As no one was ready even to provide the fire for her funeral pyre, Shankaracharya created fire from his palm and she was cremated.
Who is the Current Shankaracharya of Sringeri?
The current Sringeri Shankaracharya name is Sri Bharathi Tirtha Svami.
What is known about Adi Shankaracharya Death?
Just like there was no clear information about Shankaracharya birth place, there are a few versions about Adi Shankaracharya’s death, as per the four Mutts that he has established it is believed that Adi Shankaracharya disappeared, walking behind the Kedarnath temple in his 33rd year.
Who is the current Puri Shankaracharya?
The current Shankracharya of Puri is Swami Nischalananda Saraswati.
Where is Adi Shankaracharya samadhi?
Just like the Shankaracharya birth place, the place of his death too is shrouded in an aura of mystery. However, Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have disappeared behind the Kedarnath temple, there was a temple built behind the main Kedarnath temple which was the Samadhi Mandir of Adi Shankaracharya. This structure contained a statue of Adi Shankaracharya, a statue of Hanuman, and a Sphatika Linga.
These were washed away in the deluge of 2013. A project to rebuild the Samadhi Mandir is underway as one of the dream projects of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is expected to be completed in 2021.
Who built Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar, J&K?
The Shankaracharya temple in Srinagar is said to have originally built by a Hindu king named Sandiman.
We hope you loved reading about Kalady, the Shankaracharya birth place, and the life of Adi Shankaracharya. The life and teachings of Sri Adi Shankaracharya are shining beacons that lead us from darkness to light and truth. We leave you with some Adi Shankaracharya Quotes to think over. We are sure that these Shankaracharya Quotes will touch the core of your heart with the gems of wisdom hidden in them.
“Like the appearance of silver in mother of pearl, the world seems real until the Self, the underlying reality, is realized.”
― Adi Shankaracharya
“Silence is the first door to spiritual eminence.”
– Adi Shankaracharya
Kalady Video
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i love that temple. actually i love all temples and the way they are carved. in india we generally go and visit the biggest temple wherever we go.
I have heard a lot about this place , putting it on my next bucket list of Kerala
Keeping this on my wishlist now. Among the 4 Peethams, I have visited only Puri. Let’s explore the other three. Thanks for the details.
After reading this post I believe one need not check Wikipedia for info. You have done that job exceptionally well. I am planning a spiritual retreat next year and would love to visit this place
Adi Shankaracharya is a figure we all respect… My dad always talks about him… I am sure he will love this post! Thank you for sharing all the details!
I have never been to this place but seems amazing and very much holy. I will definitely visit once after everything settled down.
So much history intertwined to this. This is beautifully written documenting the mythological sentiments too
very good knowledge for adi shankarachrya .