1Devotees hold special prayers for peace and harmony at Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar: Photos by: Basit Zargar

2Shankracharya Jayanti was celebrated on 7th May across Srinagar with religious fervour and gaiety

3A grand celebration was held at Shankracharya temple, Srinagar in Kashmir Valley

4Thousand of devotees drawn from various parts of the country took part in the rituals

5Every year people from throughout the country visit Srinagar on Shankrajayanti

6They pray for peace and communal harmony

7Shankrajayanti is the birthday of Adi Guru Shankracharya

8He is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva and was the pioneer of Advaita philosophy

9He was born in Kerala over 1300 years back

10The Adhi Guru travelled thousands of kms from Kerala to Kashmir to do meditation at Shankarachar