NAGERCOIL: The Kanyakumari Historical and Cultural Research Centre has identified a stone pillar bas-relief image, said to be that Adi Sankara, at the Bhagavathy Amman temple at Kanyakumari

Centre secretary Padmanabhan, who undertook the research, said the Adi Sankara might have visited the temple during his pilgrimage, called Sankara Vijayam. The image in sitting pose is carved as bas-relief facing north. A `Danda' (the staff of an ascetic) is seen in his right hand with a piece of cloth tied near the top.

The image is evidence for the saint's visit to the temple; it also corroborates the theory that Adi Sankara wrote Soundaryalahari at Kanyakumari.

Of all works about Sakthi, Soundaryalahari is considered the best. According to the legend, Adi Sankara composed Soundaryalahari in the Mount Kailas.

Some say he wrote the book when he was in Kashmir. But there is evidence to infer that Soundaryalahari was composed at Kanyakumari.

Adi Sankara started his pilgrimage from Rameswaram and reached Anandasaynam (now Thiruvananthapuram), passing through Tiruchendur, Kanyakumari and Suchindrum.

He composed Subramanya Bhujnagam at Tiruchendur, Soundarayalahari at Kanyakumari and wrote 21 verses about the Trinity of Hindu pantheon at the Sthanumalayan temple at Suchindrum.

In Kanyakumari, Adi Sankara stayed a few days and visited Tharisancoppu, where Lord Rama erected a Siva temple, known as Raghaveswara, to expiate for his `Sthrihatya' (slaying of Thatakai). One can find the image of Adi Sankara in all these temples visited by him.

Speaking to The Hindu , Dr. Padmanabhan said Adi Shankara introduced Parikrama as a token of Saivaite and Vaishnavite integration against the domination of Jainism in the area during the eighth century.

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