Mallikārjuna Jyotirling | శ్రీ సైలం మల్లికార్జున జ్యోతిర్ లింగం – Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

Srisailam Mallikārjuna Jyotirling (Telugu: శ్రీ సైలం మల్లికార్జున జ్యోతిర్ లింగం , Hindi:श्रीसैल मल्लिकर्जुन स्वामी ज्योथिर्लिन्ग) is one of the sacred shrines of Lord Shiva and Bhramarambika devi. The shrine resides within thick forests of Nallamala hills in Srisailam, Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.

The unique feature of this kshetra is the combination of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi in one campus, which is very rare and only one of its kind.

Srisailam Mallikarjuna swamy Temple - Abstract

• Temple
• Temple Timings
• History, Architecture and Culture
• Governance
• Map and Travel

Primary Deity and Significance:

1. Mallikarjuna Swamy : Jyothirlinga

2. Bhramarambika Devi : Shaktipeet

Abode to one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams

Important festival(s):

1. Mahasivaratri
2. Ugadi
3. Dasara
4. Kumbhothsavam
5. Sankranthi
6. Arudrothsavam
7. Kartheeka Masothsavam
8. Sravananamosothsvam

Srisailam Mallikarjunaswamy
(Jyothirling)

Srisailam Bhramarambika devi
(Shakthipeet)

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Timings may vary. Click here to check with Temple authorities directly. Last updated 17th Dec 2012.

From	To	Activity
4.30 AM	5.00 AM	Temple opens with Mangalavadyams.
5.00 AM	5.15 AM	Suprabhatam.
5.15 AM	6.30 AM	Pratahkalapuja, Gopuja and Maha Mangala Harathi.
6.30 AM	1.00 PM	Darshanam, Abhishekam and Archanas by the devotees.
1.00 PM	3.30 PM	Alankara Darshanam.
4.30 PM	4.50 PM	Mangalavadyams.
4.50 PM	5.20 PM	Pradoshakalapuja.
5.20 PM	6.00 PM	Susandhyam and Maha Mangala Harathi.
5.50 PM	6.20 PM	Rajopachara puja (Parakulu) to Bhramaramba Devi.
6.20 PM	9.00 PM	Darshanam, Abhishekam and Archanas.
9.00 PM	10.00 PM	Dharma Darshanam.
9.30 PM	10.00 PM	Ekantha Seva.
10.00 PM		Closure of the temple.

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Srisailam continues to have dominant influence on Hindu religion and culture from ancient times. The epigraphical evidence reveals that the history of Srisailam begins with the Sathavahanas who were the first empire builders in South India. The earliest known historical mention of the Hill – Srisailam, can be traced in Pulumavis Nasik inscription of 1st Century A.D.

• The Sathavahanas, Ikshavakus, Pallavas, Vishnukundis, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Reddy Kings, Vijayanagara Emperors and Chatrapathi Shivaji are among the famous emperors and kings who worshipped God Mallikarjuna Swamy.
• Hiranyakashipa, Narada, Pandavas, Lord Srirama are some of the great mythological personalities who have visited this holy shrine.
• Adishankaracharya, Renukacharya, Akka MahAdevi, Hemareddy mallamma are some of the great devotees who worshipped Lord mallikArjuna here. Its here in Srisailam, Adi Shankara composed Shivanandalahari, a devotional hymn in priase of Shiva.
• Prataparudra of Kakatiya Dynasty strived a lot for the improvements of this Kshetram and granted Paraganas for its maintenance. Its said that Ganapathideva has spent 12000 Golden Nanyas for the maintenance of the temple.
• The period of Reddy Kings is the Golden Age of Srisailam that almost all rulers of the dynasty did celebrated service for this temple. In 14th Century Prolaya Vema Reddy of Reddy Dynasty constructed stepped path-way to Srisailam and Pathalaganga (Here the river Krishna is called as Pathalaganga). Anavema Reddy constructed Veera Siromandapam in which the Veerasaiva devotees cut off their hands, tongue, limbs with devotion to attain the realization of the God through pain and sufferrings. This practice was known as Veeracharam.
• Ahelyadevi Holkar, a great devotee of Siva built a strong bathing wharf consisting of 852 steps on the banks of the Patalganga.
• Harihararaya the 2nd, of Vijayanagara Empire constructed the Mukhamantapam of Swamy shrine and also a Gopuram on Southern Side of the temple.
• In the 15th Century Sri Krishnadevaraya constructed the Rajagopuram on Eastern side and Salumantapas on both sides of the temple.
• In 1677, Maratha King Chatrapathi Shivaji constructed a Gopuram on northern side of the temple. It served as one of the main entrances to Sri Bhraramba Mallikharjuna Swamy temple. On Oct 4th 2012, the upper portion of Goporum collapses due decay and heavy rains Source..The Hindu

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Srisailam temples are undertaken by Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department.

Average Annual Revenue: -NA-
Average Annual Spend: – NA-

Executive Officer

Srisaila Devasthanam

Srisailam 518101, Andhra Pradesh

Phone: 08524 – 288883,288885,288886,288887,288888.

E-mail: eo@srisailamtemple.com

Web: http://srisailamtemple.com

Srisailam (Kurnool District)

Andhra Pradesh, India.

By Road: Approximately 200 km from Hyderabad.

By Rail: Nearest railway stations to Srilailam

• Markapur (62 km)
• Vinukonda (120 km)
• Kurnool (190 km)

There is no Air transportation

View Larger Map

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A number of legends have grown round Srisailam and its principal deities. Among them the most significant one is that Parvatha, son of Silada Maharshi is said to have performed penance, pleased Siva and made him agree to live on his body. This Parvatha assumed the shape of big Hill Sriparvatha and Siva lived on its top as Mallikarjuna Swamy.

According to one story Chandravathi,the ruler of Chandraguptha Patana situated near Srisailam on the opposite bank of the river Krishna ran away from her father who made amorous advances to her went up the hill and settled down there with few servants. One day she found that one of her cows standing above a natural rock formation resembling the Sivalinga and shedding its milk over it. The princess in dream was informed that the piece of the stone was a self-manifested Linga of God Mallikarjuna and took to worshipping it. This story is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. Two sculptures of the Prakara Wall of the temple also represent this story.

According to another story Sri,the daughter of a Rishi did penance, pleased Siva and got her name associated with the name of the Hill( Sailam ) which thereafter came to be known as Srisailam.

Shaila Mallikarjuna’s holy place is located on the banks of River Krishna. Here River Krishna is in the form of Patalaganga (underground spring). Every year, Lakhs of devotees take a holy dip here and then go for the Darshan of the JyotirLinga.

Srisailam Temple Entrance
(inside view at night)

Main Mandapam
Srisailam

Mallikarjunaswamy Main Sanctum
(Srisailam)

Main Entrance
Srisailam temple

Srisailam Bhramarambika Devi Temple

Mukhamandapam
Srisailam

Other-temples-within-the-premise
Srisailam

Triphala Vriksha
Srisailam

Sanagala Basavanna
Nandi

• 1. Sakshi Ganapathi
• 2.Vitalesvara temple
• 3.Shivaji spurthi kendram
• 4.Hatakeswaram
• 5.Paladhara-Panchadhara:
• 6.Sikhareswaram
• 7.Ishakameswari Devi
• 8. Pathaganga
• 9.Akkamahadevi caves
• 10. Srisailam Dam

Sakshi Ganapathi temple is 3 Km away from the main temple. Its said that Ganapathi logs Devotees visit to Srisailam and stays Witness hence called as Sakshi(withness)Ganapathi

Sakshi Ganapathi
(Srisailam)

Sakshi Ganapathi
(Srisailam)

Vitalesvara temple: In 14 cenyury AD ,Vitalamba wife of Harihararaya II constructed steps to Patalaganga. This temple was built then and has rich in sculpture.
The deity residing here is called Vitalesvara Swamy.
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Maratha King Shivaji a great devote of Mother Goddess Durga , visited the temple in 1674 and stayed here for some time. He donated a lot of gold and other resources for the temple’s development and maintenance. Shivaji built the northern tower, added gold to the spires of the temple. He left some of his able administrators to look after development and administration of the temple. It is also said that ‘Goddess Bhramarambika’ appeared to him in the temple and bestowed upon him the ‘Sword’ to root out the evil.

In the honor of the great Maratha kind “Shivaji Memorial’ is constructed with the magnificent sculpture of Chatrapathi Shivaji sitting on his throne with all the glory.

Goddess Bhramaramba giving Shivaji a sword for his valour

82 foot tall Shivaji Gopuram under construction
(Srisailam)

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Hatakeswaram: it is about 5 km from Srisailam. Hataka means gold. Lord Shiva killed Tripurasura by making Meruparvatham as bow and arrow. Here Shiva has been worshiped in golden Lingam shape. Hence it is being called as Hatakkeswaram. Infront of the temple 150 ft area water pond exits there. It is called Hatekeswara teertham. It is believed that devotees who dip here (bath) and drink water in paladhara-Panchadhara, fulfill their desires.
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Paladhara-Panchadhara: It is about 200 meters deep and 4 km from the main temple. Paladhara-Water steams floes continuously. It originates and flows 6 metres and demise there itself. It exits through out the year irrespective of seasons. It is called Paladhara because this was believed that this was originated from the forehead of Lord Shiva. Panchadhara- it is originated from 5 faces of Lord Shiva viz Satyojatha, vamadeva,Aghora,Tatpursha and Esana. Water is medical . devotees take water for curing their diseases. Sanctity of there dharas: by doing bath in Hatakeswaram and drinking water in Paladhara and Panchadhara, devotees of desire will be fulfilled. The book Shivanandalahari is written here only.
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Sikhareswaramis the hightest peak of Srisailam moutain range above to 2830 feet to MSL. It is about 8 km from main temple. Lord Veerasankara being called as Sikhareswara. In the cenyuries back, devotees were going to Srisailam on foot in the dense forest. They were tired. They were not able to move further even a step also. In such conditions, devotees felt that alleast, going to up to that hightest peak to see. From there they might have come back. According to Puranas “Srisaila Sikharam drustya punarjanma navidyate….” By seeing this Sikharam It is said that by merely seeing the tip of mountain one emancipated from all sins. The persons becomes free from the vicious cycle of life and death

Sikharam Vista Point
(Srisailam)

Sikharam Vista Point
(Srisailam)

Sikharam Temple
(Srisailam)

Nandi at Vistapoint
(Srisailam)

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Ishakameswari Devi is about 21 km from main temple, situated in dence forest of Srisailam hill. This temple belongs to 8th –10th centuries. Ishtakameswari is another name of Parvathi devi. There is no word like Ishtakameswari in the puranas and earlies literature except Kameswari. In the present day also it is difficult to reach there . pravite vechicle or not allowed and can reach by hire vechiles. There is a speciality in the idiol that if you touch the forehead u can feel like a human skin. If you visit the place once ,you will think of visiting the same place again.

Pathaganga is 1 km from main temple. One has to take approxmately 500-800 steps to down to river Krishna. Depending on water level some stemps might submerge time to time. Temple Authorities have constructed rope way for easy transportation.

Patala Ganga (Srisailam)

Patalagana Steps
(Srisailam)

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Akkamahadevi caves are approximately from Pathalaanga. Akkamahadevi was strong believer of Lord Mallikarjunaswamy. She was belongs to 12th centuary. She was born in ‘Udutadi’ village in Shimoga dt of Karnataka. Her parentsSumathi and Nirmala Setty, who were veerashiva devotees. due to not interest in marriage with the king Koushikudu she came to Srisailam to immerse in Lord Mallikarjuna and reached caves, now being called Akkamahadevi caves. She performed siddi(Tapasu) for some time in these caves later gone to Kandhalivanalu. She has been worshipped as prime Sivasaran in ‘Veerashiva’ tradition. These caves are Naturally formed, very attractive and station of nature beauty..

Srisailam Dam

Srisailam Dam

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Gateways

As per the legends and tradition literature sources, Srisailam has 4 Primary (inner) and 4 Secondary (outer) gateways in the four cardinal directions, outlined as follows: