PM Modi shares visuals of Shankaracharya Hill. What is the history? Why are the hills considered important? Here are details

PM Modi who is in Srinagar ahead of the Lok Sabha polls inaugurated 53 projects worth Rs 6,400 crores at Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium on Thursday. Just before launching the projects in Kashmir, PM Modi shared photos of Shankaracharya Hill in Srinagar. PM Modi's Srinagar visit is considered historic as it will be his first trip to the Kashmir valley since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

"Upon reaching Srinagar a short while ago, had the opportunity to see the majestic Shankaracharya Hill from a distance," PM Modi shared pics on X, formerly known as Twitter.



Here is everything you need to know about Shankaracharya Hills:
The ancient Shankaracharya Temple, constructed with grey stones, stands proudly on Shankaracharya Hill, surrounded by dense forests. Initially known as Takht-i-Sulaiman, which means Throne of Solomon, it was later renamed after a saint who preached enlightenment here in AD 750.

The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated at a height of 1000 feet and can be reached in 10-15 minutes via stairs. It is advisable to reach the temple before 5 pm, as four-wheelers are not allowed after that time by the army. After offering prayers to Lord Shiva, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the surroundings from the hilltop. This ancient temple holds significance as the place where the renowned seer Adi Shakaracharya attained enlightenment. The journey to the temple is an adventure in itself, with a winding road leading to a series of steps that take you to the top. The view from there is truly mesmerizing and definitely worth the effort.

Recently, Modi announced the 'Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice Tourist Destination Poll' and the 'Chalo India Global Diaspora' campaign.

(with ToI inputs)