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Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam

location_on Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh 528101

Overview

Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple recounts the union of Shiv and Shakti in a heartfelt and divine tale. It is popularly known as Srisailam Temple or Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple. It is located at Srisailam in the state of Andhra Pradesh and harbours immense prestige among the Shaivism and Shaktism sects. Every year, devotees line up in the temple to experience the hidden spiritual power of the area and bless their souls by consuming the everpresent positive energy permeating from the holy site. The co-existence of these deities leads us towards the lesson of love and harmony for a fulfilled life.

Srisailam Temple God

Shiva in this temple is present in the form of Mallikarjuna and is depicted as lingam; Parvati is blessing the devotees in the form of Bhramaramba.

Srisailam Temple History

The city of Srisailam holds prominence in historical evidence, spreading over a thousand years, with several dynasties leaving their mark on its cultures and rituals. The history of Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple Srisailam is connected with the region's historical and cultural evolution. The temple's early construction and architectural style show the influence of the Chalukya dynasty. The temple was renovated and expanded later with the arrival of other dynasties.

The first dynasty of South India, the Satavahanas, has left its mark in the form of inscriptions at Srisailam. The temple was vastly established and celebrated among the people; it was so prevalent that the Satavahana king, Satakarni, named himself Mallana after Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy. The earliest reference to Srisailam Hill can be seen in the Nasik Prashasti of Pulumavi of the 2nd Century AD. There is an argument between historians about tracing the temple's origins to the rule of Pallavas and the extension to the reign of the Reddy Kings; Anavema Reddy and Prolay Verma are said to have built mandapas and roads to the temple.

The king of the Vijayanagara dynasty of the 14th Century, Harihara II, laid the steps to Pathala Ganga. Krishnadevaraya's minister Chandrashekhara built the mandapas of the temple. In the later years, Chatrapathi Shivaji authorised the construction of the Gopuram in the North.

Architecture

Intricate sculptural work, towers, pillars and fort-like walls decorate the beauty of Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple. The construction is primarily in Dravidian style, with courtyards and four gateway gopurams (towers). Out of the several halls in the temple complex, the most popular one is Mukha Mandapa, which the rulers of the Vijayanagara Dynasty constructed. A massive idol of Nandikeshwara is situated in the central Mandapam and is surrounded by several pillars. The Mukhamandapa, the hall before the sanctum sanctorum, showcases intricately carved pillars. Notably, the shrine sheltering the Mallikarjuna idol is regarded as the temple's oldest segment, dating back to the 7th Century.

Significance

Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple draws significance from the Puranas and is decorated as the 2nd Jyotirlinga among the twelve. It is also one of the Maha Shakti Peethas, making it the only sacred premise where both deities reside in a union. It is also a Paadal Petra Sthalam. Honoured in the hymes of Saiva Nayanars in the 6th-9th Century CE, the Sthalams comprise 275 temples. Paadal Petra Sthalas is regarded by Hindus as the greatest and most influential Lord Shiva temple on the continent.

Srisailam occurs in scriptures by distinct names like Sriparvatam, Sirigiri and Srinagam. Ancient texts mention its name in all four yugas; for example, Narishmhaswamy visited the temple in Satya Yuga. In Treta Yuga, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita saw the temple during their vanvaas. Dwapara Yuga saw Pandavas and Draupadi visiting the place to seek blessings. Kali Yuga eternalises the divine spirituality of the place through several Rishis, Yogis, kings, preachers, poets and devotees visiting it.

Best Time to Visit

It is situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh, where summers are said to exceed limits and it becomes hot and humid. It is recommended that you visit Mallikarjuna Temple from September to March. The weather is pleasant for darshan and sightseeing.

Festivals Celebrated at Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple

The most prominent and significant festival of Mallikarjuna Temple is Maha Shivaratri Brahmotsavam, which is celebrated in the month of Magha, mainly in March. It is an 11-day-long festival when devotees gather in large numbers for Padayatra, from Nallamala forest to the temple. This festival starts with Yagashala Pravesham in the morning, followed by Shiva Sankalpam, Ganapati Puja and Dwajarohanam in the evening. The rituals and events that take place during these days are Rathotsavam, Theppotsavam, Shayanotsavam, Pushpotsavam, Lingodbhavakalam, Pagaalankarana and Kalyanotsavam.

How to Visit

Type	Name	Distance
Bus Stand	Srisailam Bus Stand	1 KM
Railway Station	Markapuram Railway Station	84.5 KM
Airport (International)	Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad	217 KM
Airport (Domestic)	Kurnool Airport	180 KM

Srisailam Temple Dress Code

It is a must to abide by the traditional dress code while visiting Mallikarjuna Temple in Srisailam. Male devotees are requested to wear a Pancha with a dhoti or Kurta. Female devotees are advised to wear a saree with a blouse, half-saree, churidar with a dupatta or Punjabi salwar, or Kurta with a dupatta. Modern clothing is restricted inside the temple complex for the temple's respect and stature.

Do’s & Don’t of Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple

Do take a bath and wear clean clothes before the darshan.
Do put customs and rituals in high regard.
Do give your donations and offerings in the hundi only.
Don't smoke or drink inside the temple.
Don't chew tobacco or spit inside the temple.
Don't carry a smartphone inside the temple.

Srisailam Temple Darshan Timings

The temple is open all days of the week, with darshan allowed in two slots. Srisailam temple timings in the morning are 6 AM to 2 PM. The evening Srisailam entry timings are 5 PM to 10 PM. Darshan varies from Seeghra Darshanam, Athisheegra Darshanam to Sparsha Darshanam. Devotees are requested to strictly adhere to the timings while visiting the temple according to the temple rules and regulations.

Srisailam Temple Abhishekam Timings

Abhishekam at Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple are of four types and the timings differ accordingly.

Type	Timings	Ticket Price
Srisailam Abhishekam in Garbhalayam	5:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 10:20 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 AM	5000/-
Vrudhamallikarjuna Swamy Abhishekam	7:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM	5000/-
Kalyanamandapam Abhishekam	5:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 6:30 PM	5000/-
Single Person Abhishekam	5:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 6:30 PM	1500/-

Pooja Seva at Srisailam Temple timings also vary depending on the type of Pooja one is looking for.

Pooja Type	Days	Timings
Pradoshakalapuja	All Days	4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Note - These timings and prices may vary depending on the temple's schedules and changes in the pooja process. Therefore, confirming the timings and prices with the temple authorities is advisable before visiting.

Soma Muni's son, Silada Maharshi, performed penance in the name of Lord Shiva. God then offered him a boon that he would be blessed with sons enlightened by Lord Shiva and continue worshipping Him. His sons were called as Nandi-Parvat. Parvat, after the hard tapasya, asked to become a mountain like Kailasa, where Gods would reside, holy rivers would flow, and eight Bhairavas would live, and the Shiva himself would be present. He became Srisailam parvatam, and Lord Shiva manifested himself as Jyotirlinga to bless the believers.

Parvati Devi chose to live in Srisailam as Bhramaramba Devi, as it is also precious to Lord Shiva. Since then, Bhramaramba Devi has resided here to bless all her followers.

The legend of Pathala Ganga, a holy water body near Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, also adds to the many legends revolving around the temple. It is popularly believed that Pathala Ganga is connected to the Ganga River. The story of Sage Gautama completing tapasya to slant the flow of Ganga underground and make it appear at the Mallikarjuna Temple is popularly told.

The Ramayana and the Mahabharata also revert stories about the Srisailam Temple. It is believed that Lord Rama installed the Sahasra Linga inside the temple. Legend also says that the Pandava brothers built five pillars in the temple.

Temples

Name	Distance from city
Ista Kameswari Temple	20 KM
Hathakesvara Temple	3 KM
Sakshi Ganapati Temple	1 KM
Hemareddy Mallamma Temple	1 KM
Shikaresvara Temple	6 KM
Uma Maheswara Temple	170 KM

Adventure

Name	Distance from city
Srisailam Ropeway APTDC	1.5 KM
Kadalivanam Trekking Caves	45 KM
Nagarjuna Sagar Srisailam Wildlife	20 KM
Akkamahadevi Caves	10 KM
Paladhara Panchadara	4 KM

Museum

Name	Distance from city
Chenchu Lakshmi Tribal Museum	0 KM

The Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is an exemplary embodiment of faith, history, mythology and spirituality. It contains a cosmic echo of devotion and thousands of years of history that continue to invoke devotees from all over India who seek blessings from the Lord Mallikarjuna.