My Personal Blog - Sarada Ramani

After all its yatra time -  we just have one afternoon and evening to complete the sight seeing at Srinagar. From Shankaracharya Temple after finishing our packed lunch on the hill itself we drove down  through the city and the lake promenade to reach a calm locality.  The drive was very pleasant inside an AC vehicle. It was that hot in July  Our driver stopped in front of a Gate which proclaimed that we are at  the entrance to Shri Zeashta Mataa temple. Crossing the grill gate we enter the compound and start climbing the small hillock which has about 60 steps to get to the entrance of the temple.  Having used to seeing tall gopurams in south to announce to the world the existence of the temple. We were greeted with a small flight of stairs. But what a calm and quiet atmosphere and great gardening with lovely flowers greets you as you enter the courtyard  The main murti of  Zeashta Maa is in a small enclosure which is on a water kund.  Directly in front is a large prayer hall which is

Srinagar our first stopover point in our Amarnath yatra was Srinagar.  The date is 1st July and we landed at 11.30.  Walking out of airport it isn't the pleasant weather that we expected but it was hotter than Madras. Got on the car and it was  straight drive to Shankaracharya Temple - our very first stop on our pilgrimage.   What better way to start the yatra with the blessings of Lord Siva. It is situated on top of the tall hill and one can't miss it from any point in the city.  Near to the temple is the TV tower and it makes sure that you can place this hill from any where. A nice winding road brings one to the bottom of the stairs.  Through out the drive up the hill there are Para military police personnel checking the vehicle movements.  After a security check one starts climbing the stairs numbering 230+ to reach the temple.  There is the huge Shivling which was supposed to have  been worshipped by Adi Shankaracharya himself.  Near by there are a flight of stairs leading