Current Affairs
Daily Bits

Adi Shankaracharya's birthplace to become A National Monument

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    History & Culture
  • Published
    13th Jan, 2022

The birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya in the state is likely to be declared as a monument of national importance. 

Context

The birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya in the state is likely to be declared as a monument of national importance. 

Who was Adi Shankaracharya?

  • Adi Shankaracharya was born in Kalady in Kerala in 788 C.E and disappeared in the year 820 C.E at the young age of 32. 
  • He was an exceptional child as Adi Shankara had become fluent in Sanskrit by the age of two. By four, he was comfortably reciting scriptures including Vedas.
  • The burning quest for attaining superior knowledge from an early age pushed Adi Shankara to leave his home and set on the search for a guru. 
  • His quest ended with Govid Bhagvatpad at Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh) on the bank of Narmada river.
  • Adi Shankaracharya championed the Advait branch of philosophy that declared that god and humans were not two. He then set out to spread the message of his guru.
  • From the age of 16 to 32, Adi Shankaracharya travelled across the length and breadth of India with the message of Vedas. 

Historical Significance Of Adi Shankaracharya 

  • Adi Shankara helped compile the Advaita Vedanta and revived the Hindu Culture on the verge of decline. 
  • Along with Madhava and Ramanuja, Shankara formed doctrines that followed and are respected to date in the respective sects. 
  • The trio is considered the most potent icon of the recent history of Hindu philosophy. 

In early November last year, Prime Minister Modi had unveiled a 13-feet statue of Adi Shankaracharya at Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand.

How a monument is declared as a monument of national importance?

  • The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) designates any monument of national importance and authorises the Central government to 'maintain, protect and promote' the site. 
  • If mandated by the Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, the monument could be considered of significant historical importance. 
  • Currently, the ASI protects 3,600 monuments of national importance. 
  • Last year, the NMA also surveyed important Hindu-Buddhist monuments of the Kashmir Valley.
  • The valley reportedly has numerous Hindu sites from the 6th to 8th century and Buddhist temples from the 3rd and 4th centuries.

Verifying, please be patient.

X