Sringeri is situated on the left bank of the pristine river Tunga, the water of which is sweet and pure for all time. The town is a sacred pilgrimage for thousands of Hindus who visit the shrine for its religious importance and architectural significance.

It is believed that Adi Guru Shankaracharya had established four mathas at four places (including one at Sringeri) in India to spread Hinduism. Today, his successor has tremendous influence both on religious and temporal matters.

There are temples and mathas in and around Sringeri. Adi Guru Sankaracharya had constructed four temples for four deities as the protector of the Sree Sharada Peetha at Sringeri. They are Kalabhairava temple to the east, Durga Temple to the south, Anjaneya temple to the west and Kali temple to the north. However, the most celebrated temple in Sringeri is the Vidyashankara Temple, where Shankaracharya is worshipped in the form a linga.

The Vidyashankara temple was built in commemoration of the Shankaracharya Vidyashankara, around 1357 A.D. It was built by Vidyaranya, patron-saint of Harihara and Bukka, the brothers who founded the Vijayanagar Empire.

The niches in the temple have a number of sculptures from Hindu, Buddhist and Jain mythologies. Inscriptions in the temple record contributions made by several Vijayanagar emperors, but the temple was probably built on an earlier Hoysala site, as it combines Hoysala and Vijayanagar architectural features.

The temple architecture is also an exhibition of the great expertise of medieval south Indian temple builders. The main temple hall features 12 pillars designated for the 12 signs of the zodiac.

Sringeri Sharada Peetam is the popular name for the Mutt (or Matha) at Sringeri It is one of the four Hindu Advaita Mutts established by Adi Shankaracharya (A famous Hindi Proponent and saint in the 13th Century AD).

It is also referred to as Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetam. Following the tradition initiated by Adi Shankaracharya, the Mutta is in charge of the Yajur Veda traditions.