Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada came to Sringeri looking to establish a peetha (seat of learning) for SharadambAl, where on the bank of the Tunga river, he saw an unusual sight. A cobra spread out its hood over a frog in labour pains, in order to protect the pregnant frog from the scorching sun. WonderStuck with the sanctity of the place, which could infuse love between natural adversaries, the MahAswAminAh chose Sringagiri to set up a Mutt. He spent there over 12 years of his all-too precious life of 32 years. This should give us an idea of the esteem the great Shankaracharya had for this holy spot. Sringeri also finds mention in Srimad Ramayana and upanishads as the abode of the great sage, Rishyashringa, after whom it is thus named. You can read more @ http://www.sringeri.net.
Here is an authentic pic of Sringeri SAradAmbA...
![Image](http://i3.tinypic.com/25u4eja.jpg)
A speech by the current Jagadguru, Sri Bharathi Teertha Mahaswamigal delivered in chaste Tamizh in the year 1987, imploring us to indulge in noble deeds:
http://rapidshare.de/files/30880929/_-___9_.mp3.html
I would like to start with a shlokham on Ratnagarbha Ganapathi, the form of Vinayaka who is worshipped first everyday by the incumbent Jagadguru prior to commencing the Chandramoulishwara Puja. Sri Adishankara is reported to have worshipped the Ratnagarbha Ganapathi and the spatika linga as part of the Chandramoulishwara pujA.
Sringeri Lineage has been unbroken since the establishment of the peetha. Here is the list of Jagadgurus with their estimated periods of reign:
Guru Parampara (The Unbroken Chain)
Sri Sharada Peetam, Sringeri
JAGADGURUS (Period of Reign)
1. Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada A.D. 820 (Videha-mukti)
2. Sri Suresvaracharya 0820-0834
3. Sri Nityabodaghana 0834-0848
4. Sri Jnanaghana 0848-0910
5. Sri Jnanottama 0910-0954
6. Sri Jnanagiri 0954-1038
7. Sri Simhagiri 1038-1098
8. Sri Iswara Tirtha 1098-1146
9. Sri Narasimha Tirtha 1146-1229
10. Sri Vidya Sankara Tirtha 1229-1333
11. Sri Bharatikrishna Tirtha 1333-1380
12. Sri Vidyaranya 1380-1386
13. Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati I 1386-1389
14. Sri Narasimha Bharati I 1389-1408
15. Sri Purushottama Bharati - I 1408-1448
16. Sri Sankara Bharati 1448-1455
17. Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati II 1455-1464
18. Sri Narasimha Bharati II 1464-1479
19. Sri Purushottama Bharati II 1479-1517
20. Sri Ramachandra Bharati 1517-1560
21. Sri Narasimha Bharati III 1560-1573
22. Sri Narasimha Bharati IV 1573-1576
23. Sri Narasimha Bharati V 1576-1600
24. Sri Abhinava Narasimha Bharati 1600-1623
25. Sri Sacchidananda Bharati I 1623-1663
26. Sri Narasimha Bharati VI 1663-1706
27. Sri Sacchidananda Bharati II 1706-1741
28. Sri Abhinava Sacchidananda Bharati I 1741-1767
29. Sri Narasimha Bharati VII 1767-1770
30. Sri Sacchidananda Bharati III 1770-1814
31. Sri Abhinava Sacchidananda Bharati II 1814-1817
32. Sri Narasimha Bharati VIII 1817-1879
33. Sri Sacchidananda Sivabhinava Narasimha Bharati 1879-1912
34. Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati III 1912-1954
35. Sri Abhinava Vidya Tirtha 1954-1989
36. Sri Bharathi Tirtha 1989-Present