SRI MALLIKARJUNA SWAMY TEMPLE
Sri Mallikarjuna Swami Temple has mythological story behind the origin of Shakti Peethas. The presiding Deities of this Kshetram God Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is one of the eighteen Mahasakthis and both are believed to be self-manifested. The unique feature of this Kshetram is the co-existing of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi in one Temple complex, which is the rare and only of its kind.
History of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
- Srisailam played a dominant role in our religious, cultural and social history from ancient times. According to prehistoric studies the habitational history of Srisailam goes back to about 30,000-40,000 years.
- Stone tools of that period are abundantly found at various places of Srisailam. The epigraphical evidences reveal that the history of Srisailam begins with the Satavahanas who were the first empire builder in South India and also the earliest rulers of Andhradesa.
- The earliest known historical mention of the Hill-Srisailam can be traced in Pulumavi 's Nasik inscription of 2nd Century A.D. Malla Satakarani, an early member of the Satavahanas got his name after ' Mallanna' the deity on this sacred hill.
- The Ikshavakus (AD 200-300) ruled from their capital Vijayapuri, about 50 Km from Srisailam and so this Kshetram must got their patronage.
- The Vishnukundis (AD 375-612) were the devotees of God Sriparvatha Swamy who was none other than
Mallikarjuna Swamy, the presiding deity of Srisaila Kshetram. Most of their inscriptions contain the prasasti
"Bhagavat Sriparvatha Swamy Padanudhyatanam"
The Talagunda inscription of Kadamba Santi Varma proves that the Srisailam region was originally included in the Pallava Kingdom (AD 248-575) and subsequently formed the first independent principality of Kadambas(AD 340-450).Later the Moghal Emperors conqured this region and this place was given as Jagir to Nawabs of Kurnool.After the fall of Mughal Emperors this place came under the control of Nizam of Hyderabad. When the Nizam cede the Kurnool District to the British East India Company in 1800 AD Major Manro took procession of the District and entrusted the management to the authorities of the District Court.ln 1929 a committee was constituted by the British Government for the management of the temple. In 1949 the temple came under the control of Endowments Department and attained its past glory after it was opened by the road during the year 1956.
Construction of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
The period of Reddi Kings (AD 1325-1448) is the Golden Age of Srisailam that almost all rulers of this dynasty did celebrated service for the temple.
- Prolaya Vema Reddy, the Reddi King constructed stepped path way to Srisailam and also Pathalaganga. Anavemareddi constructed Veerasiro Mandapam.
- The Velama Chiefs constructed flight of steps at Jatararevu, en-route from Umamaheswaram to Srisailam.
- The major contributions and renovations at Srisailam were taken up by Vijayanagara Rules (AD 1336-1678). The Second Harihararaya of Vijayanagara empire constructed the Mukhamandapam of Mallikarjuna Temple and also raised a Gopuram on the Southern side of the temple complex.
- Srikrishnadevaraya visited the shrine in 1516 AD on his return journey after war with Gajapathis and constructed Salumandaps on both sides of the car street. It also taken the credit of the construction of Rajagopuram of the temple by him.
Location of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
Located in environment of Nallamala Hills, ‘Srisailam’ the abode of Siva and Sakthi is on the right side of the river Krishna in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. It is at an altitude of 476 meters above the sea level, at
Latitude of 16°04′27″ North and
Longitude of 78°52′05″ East.
At this place the river Krishna flows through a deep narrow valley, approximately 100 meters wide and nearly at a depth of 1000 meters from the hill top. The river flows at a distance of 70 Km to the up of Srisailam and continues to flow in the same valley for a further distance of 80 Km to the down till it reaches Nagarjunasagar. The narrow flow of the river at such deep valley is fine looking and more pleasant near Srisailam where it is called as Pathalaganaga. The right part of it we have Srisailam and whereas on the left there is ruined Chandragupta Nagara which is mentioned in the Skanda Purana and also some of the celebrated Literary works of 12th to 16th centuries.
Best time to visit the Temple
Karthika Masam (usually in Oct, Nov),Maha Shivaratri, Navratri
Pooja Schedule:
Darshanam, Poojas etc: 6.30amto 12.30 pm
GPS Location: 16°04′27″N 78°52′05″E
http://www.srisailamonline.com/sevas-pujas.html
Other Temples In and Around Srisailam (100 km radius)
1. Sakshi Ganapati Temple (2.5 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
2. Bayalu Veerabhadra Swami Temple (1 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
3. Phaladhara-Panchadhara, where Adi Shankaracharya performed penance. (4.5 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy
temple)
4. Sri Akkamaha Devi Temple & Caves (45 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
5. Sri Hatakeswara Swamy Temple
6. Srisaila Dam (14 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
7. Srisaila Sikara Darshan place / Shikaresvara Temple (9 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
8. Patala Ganga (3 km road/ 1.4 km walkway from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
9. SriSailam Tiger Reserve (8 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
10. Lingala Gattu
11. Bhramaramba Devi Temple (Ashtadasa Shakti Peetam – Bhramaramba devi)
12 MalliKarjuna Swami Temple
12. City Shopping/Chenchu Lakshmi Tribal Museum –Honey sale at the Chenchu Lakshmi Tribal Museum
13. Hemareddy Mallamma Temple
14. Hathakesvara Temple (4.5 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
15. Panchamatams (Ghanta Matam, Vibhuthi Matam,Rudraksha Matam, Saramgadhara Matam)
16. Sri Ista Kameswari amma vari Temple (20 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
17. Bheemuni Kolanu
18. Bhairava Sela
19. Naagalooty
20. Kadalivanam Cave
21. Bramaramba lake
22. Mallela Theertham Waterfalls
23. Saleshwaram
24. Gupta Mallikarjunam
25. Sidda Ramappa Kolanu
26. Hemareddy mallamma Temple
How to reach Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
There are many options for Srisailam travel by road. Srisailam trip by bus is an easy journey with well-connected roads. Doranala, Markarpur, Kurichedu are some of closest towns to Srisailam.
Srisailam does not have a railway station to allow trains to Srisailam. The nearest railway station to Srisailam is Markapur railway station. This station is connected to all major cities.Flights to Srisailam directly is available but the flights are not regular. The town does not have its Srisailam airport. The nearest airport to Srisailam is Begumpet Airport. The next option for is through Rajiv Gandhi International airport, Hyderabad. It is roughly a five-hour drive to Srisailam from the airport.