Pajaka
Pajaka is a village in the Indian state of Karnataka, located in the coastal region of the Udupi district. It is best known for its traditional association with Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century philosopher who is credited with consolidating Advaita Vedanta. Local belief identifies Pajaka as the birthplace of Shankaracharya, though the historical birthplace is widely regarded as Kalady in present-day Kerala. The village houses a temple complex and a shrine dedicated to Shankaracharya, along with a monastic ashram that serves pilgrims and students of Vedanta. This site forms part of the broader Vedantic heritage in Karnataka and attracts visitors interested in the life and teachings of Shankaracharya.
Cultural significance: Pajaka is included in regional devotional circuits and is visited by pilgrims and scholars
Access and geography: Pajaka lies close to Udupi on the Konkan coast and is reachable by road