Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
Ancient Scripts says just visiting Sri SailaKshetram, devotees are attaining salvation or Mukti.
Sri Mallikarjuna Swami Temple has mythological story behind theorgin 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 Mahasakthi Peet’s 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.
Location of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
Address: Srisaila Devasthanam, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh 518101
GPS Location: 16°04′27″N 78°52′05″E
Located in environment of Nallamalai 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 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 Chandraguptanagara which is mentioned in the Skandapurana and also some of the celebrated Literary works of 12th to 16th centuries.
Best time to visit the Temple
- KarthikaMasam (usually in Oct, Nov), Maha Shivaratri, Navratri
- This location has a great forest, so nature lovers can visit any time
Accommodations:
There are plenty of accommodations near devasthanam. Devotees can book various types of suites through on-line. Read below note before making bookings
Note: Once Accommodation is booked, Accommodation is non-transferable and it cannot be cancelled
http://www.srisailamonline.com/accommodation.html
http://onlinebooking.srisailamonline.com/Accommodation/ViewAccommodation
Other than that, there were many accommodations provided by many Charity organizations, those are specific to their community people
Pooja Schedule:
Darshan: 6.30amto 12.30 pm, 6pm to 9 pm
Special Darshana: 5:30 to 6:30 am
- we need to be in the queue by 4 am, we have the opportunity to touch shiv lingam
- Dress code applicable
http://www.srisailamonline.com/sevas-pujas.html
Pathala Ganga and Boat tripTimings
details as of May 13th 2019
Rope Way Timings: 6 AM to 5:30 PM
Audult:65/-
Child: 45/-
Akkamahadevi Caves Timings: (AM to 11:00 AM
Audult:380/-
Child: 265/-
Note: Travelers need to carry basic food and water
Boating Timings: 6 AM to 5 PM
Audult:60/-
Child: 45/-
How to reach Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
There are many options for Srisailam
By Bus: Srisailam trip by bus is an easy journey with well-connected roads. Doranala, Markapur, Kurichedu are some of closest towns to Srisailam.
Note: Hyderabad to Srisaila has a forest check post. Vehicles will be stopped at Mannaur between 9 pm to 6am
Most of the major cities from Andhra and Telangana bus operators are
By Train: The nearest railway station for Srisailam is Markapur (91 km) railway station. This station is connected to all major cities. Markapur Road(90 km), Vinukonda (120 km), Kurnool (190 km)
By Flight: Closest Airport is Hyderabad (230 km), From here it’s 5 hours’ Drive
History of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
- Srisailam played a dominant role in our religious, cultural and social history from ancient times. According to pre-historical 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. MallaSatakarani, 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 Telagunda 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 Mughal Emperors conquered 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.
- ProlayaVema 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.
Other Temples in and Around Srisailam (100 km radius)
- BayaluVeerabhadra Swami Temple (1 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
- BheemuniKolanu
- BhiravaSela
- Bhramaramba Devi Temple (Ashtadasa Shakti Peetam – Bhramaramba devi)
- Bramarambha lake
- City Shopping/Chenchu Lakshmi Tribal Museum –Honey sale at the Chenchu Lakshmi Tribal Museum
- GupthaMallikarjunam
- Hathakesvara Temple (4.5 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
- HemareddyMallamma Temple
- Kadalivanam Cave
- Lingala Gattu
- Mallela Theertham Waterfalls
- MalliKarjuna Swami Temple
- Naagalooty 28 km
- Panchamatams (Ghanta Matam, VibhuthiMatam,RudrakshaMatam, SaramgadharaMatam)
- Patala Ganga (3 km road/ 1.4 km walkway from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
- Phaladhara-Panchadhara, where Adi Sankarcharya performed penance. (4.5 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
- Sakshi Ganapathi Temple (2.5 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
- Saleswaram 73 km
- SiddaRamappaKolanu
- Sri Akkamaha Devi Temple & Caves (45 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
- Sri Istakameswariammavari Temple (20 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple) –Closed for Visitors
- Srisaila Dam (14 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
- Srisaila Sikara Darshan place / Shikaresvara Temple (9 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
- Srisailam Tiger Reserve (8 km from Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)
- VruddhaMallikarjunam