Discover the Divine Jyotirlingam
A sacred place for meditation and Yajurveda teachings.
Discover Advait Shankara Dham
Temple Architecture
Explore the stunning architecture and intricate details of Advait Shankara Dham Temple, which is inspired by oldest Hindu temples in India.
Temple is an octagon shaped design, made up of Chunar stone, outer shivling is 1001 shivling in one shivalingam
Inner shivling which is placed inside Garbha Grih is made of Blue stone procured from hills of Afganistan
Semi Circular gyan Mandapam is the place for meditation and practicing Yajurveda Veda and Upnishada philosophy
Spiritual Teachings
Learn about the core spiritual teachings of Hinduism, which are shared and celebrated at Advait Shankara Dham Temple through various events and programs.
**Advaita Śaṅkara Dhām!**
A name that rings with the very essence of the Truth. It is perfect. It declares the purpose: a sacred abode (*Dhām*) dedicated to the non-dual (*Advaita*) vision of Śaṅkara.
This name is not merely a label; it is a **mantra**, a **mission statement** for all who hear it. It tells the seeker: "Here, you will find the path to realise the One without a second—the Truth that Śaṅkarācārya so fiercely revived."
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### The Significance of the Name
* **Advaita:** The ultimate teaching of the Upaniṣads. It signifies that the temple's goal is Self-realisation, not mere ritual.
* **Śaṅkara:** The embodiment of that knowledge, the guru, the force of spiritual revival.
* **Dhām:** A divine dwelling, a pilgrimage spot. It suggests this will become a centre of gravity for seekers.
Let every activity within this *Dhām* reflect this triad.
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### Inaugurating the Vision
The first stone, the first plaque bearing this name, should be installed with a sacred ceremony. I suggest a simple yet profound **Sankalpa** (solemn vow) to be recited:
> *"In the holy land of Singhbhum, we lay the foundation of Advaita Śaṅkara Dhām.*
> *May it stand as a fortress of the Eternal Vedic Truth.*
> *Here, the Yajurveda will be chanted, the Upaniṣads contemplated, and the Advaita of Śaṅkara lived.*
> *May all who enter leave behind the illusion of separation and awaken to their own divine nature."*
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### Living Up to the Name
A great name carries great responsibility. Ensure the *Dhām*'s daily life honours it:
1. **The Core Practice:** Daily meditation sessions must focus on the **Mahāvākyas** (Great Contemplations) from the Upaniṣads, particularly *"Aham Brahmāsmi"* (I am Brahman) and *"Tat Tvam Asi"* (That Thou Art).
2. **The Library:** It should be named the **"Vedānta Vidyālayam"** and prominently house the works of Śaṅkarācārya.
3. **The Message:** Every discourse, every lesson, must ultimately point the mind back to the one, non-dual Reality.
You are planting a **Kalpa Vṛkṣa** (wish-fulfilling tree) of wisdom in that village. Nurture it with sincerity, and it will bless the entire region for generations.
**May Advaita Śaṅkara Dhām become a beacon of Jñāna, radiating the light of Unity in the heart of Jharkhand!**
**सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्म।** Verily, all this is Brahman. Let your Dhām proclaim this.
Community Events
Connect with the local Hindu community and make new friends at Advait Shankara Dham Temple's community events, which include picnics, potlucks, and other social gatherings.
**Excellent!** Your vision has now taken a magnificent and profound shape. To dedicate this sanctuary to **Ādi Śaṅkarācārya**—the great consolidator of Vedic wisdom—and to make it a centre for the study of **Yajurveda** and the **Upaniṣads** is to plant the very seed of **Jnana** (knowledge) in that soil.
This is not just a temple; it is a **Gurukul**, a **Vidyapeeth** (seat of learning) for the modern age, yet rooted in ancient truth.
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### The Guiding Principle
Let the temple embody Śaṅkara's core teaching: **Brahma Satyam, Jagan Mithya, Jivo Brahmaiva Na'parah**.
*(Brahman is real, the world is appearance, the individual soul is none other than Brahman.)*
Every brick should resonate with this supreme truth.
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### The Sacred Layout
Consider a design that reflects this dual purpose of worship and wisdom:
1. **The Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbhagriha):**
* A serene idol or *jyotirlingam* of **Lord Śiva** as **Dakṣiṇāmūrti**—the supreme teacher who taught in silence. This directly honours Śaṅkara's lineage and the path of knowledge.
* Alternatively, a sacred *Śrī Cakra* or a simple, profound *Śaṅkarācārya Padukā* (sandals) as the focal point for meditation.
2. **The Hall of Wisdom (Jñāna Maṇḍapa):**
* A large, open, and peaceful hall adjacent to the sanctum. This will be the heart of your mission.
* Here, daily *Veda Pāṭha* (chanting) of Yajurveda mantras should echo, especially the **Śrī Rudram** and **Purusha Sūktam**, which are profound in that Veda.
* Regular discourses on the **Upaniṣads**—the *Īśāvāsya, Kena, Kaṭha, Praśna*—and Śaṅkara's commentaries (*Bhāṣya*) must be held here.
3. **The Living Quarters:**
* Simple huts or rooms for a resident **Veda Pāṭhaśālā** teacher and for visiting scholars.
* A place where sincere students can stay and immerse themselves in study.
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### The Daily Rhythm (Ideal Routine)
Let the temple's daily life be its true worship:
* **At Dawn:** *Suprabhātam* and Vedic chanting.
* **Morning:** Meditation session for all villagers.
* **Forenoon:** Structured classes on Sanskrit, Veda recitation, and Upaniṣadic philosophy.
* **Evening:** *Ārati* followed by a public lecture/discourse (*pravacana*) explaining the day's teachings in the local dialect.
* **The Goal:** To move from ritualistic worship (*Apara Vidyā*) to the direct knowledge of the Self (*Para Vidyā*).
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### The Call to Action
This is a grand *yajña* (sacrifice). You must:
1. **Find a Teacher First:** Seek a **Śrotriya**—a learned Vedic scholar, preferably from the Yajurveda tradition, who is also a *Brahma-niṣṭha* (established in Brahman). His presence will give life to the institution.
2. **Engage the Community:** Teach the village children the first steps—simple *ślokas*, moral stories from the *Purāṇas*, and the idea of *Sevā* (selfless service). The temple must serve their practical and spiritual needs.
3. **Begin with a Library:** Even before the full structure, collect copies of the Yajurveda Saṃhitā, the Ten Principal Upaniṣads with Śaṅkara's Bhāṣya, and his prakarana granthas like *Vivekacūḍāmaṇi*.
You are building a **fortress of spirituality** in a land that thirsts for it. Do not be discouraged by the remoteness. Where Śaṅkara walked, he established *Maṭhas* (monasteries) in the four corners of Bharat to preserve knowledge. You are continuing that work in microcosm.
**Arise! Awake!** And do not stop until the light of the Upaniṣads illumines every heart in Singhbhum. The world needs such centres of pure, potent, and practical Vedānta.
**तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय।** Lead us from darkness to light.
Youth Programs
Engage your children in the Hindu faith and culture through Advait Shankara Dham Temple's youth programs, which include classes, camps, and cultural events.
Spiritual Retreats
Find inner peace and rejuvenation at Advait Shankara Dham Temple's spiritual retreats, which offer guided meditation, yoga, and other transformative experiences.
Support Us
Help Advait Shankara Dham Temple continue to serve the community and spread the teachings of Hinduism by making a donation or becoming a member.
About Advait Shankara Dham
Our Mission
At Advait Shankara Dham, our mission is to promote spiritual growth and enlightenment. We are dedicated to teaching the profound philosophies of the Yajurveda and Upnishada, providing a sanctuary for meditation and reflection.
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