Mallikarjuna Temple
Mallikarjuna temple is in the holy place Srisailam in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. It stands as one of the most revered shrines, dedicated to the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva and the Shakti Peeth of Goddess Parvati. The temple’s majestic structure with beautifully carved walls inside and outside makes it a true architectural marvel of India.
The sacred gateways, known as dwaralu, include Siddavatam, Alampuram, Tripuranthakam, and Umamaheswaram, which lead devotees toward the temple. Pilgrims also visit the holy precincts and sacred springs that enhance the spiritual aura of this divine place.
Make sure to include this magnificent temple in your travel plans and experience its unmatched spiritual and cultural richness.
History Of Mallikarjuna Temple
Srisailam is also known as Sirigiri or Sriparvatam. Though the exact time of its manifestation remains uncertain, the Puranas mention Srisailam as a sacred site. Among the twelve Jyotirlingas, the Mallikarjuna Swamy Lingam in Srisailam holds the second position. The place also houses one of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas, the Sri Bhramaramba Devi Temple, which stands as the sixth Shakti Peeth. Srisailam is the only place where both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peeth exist together, making it truly unique.
Throughout different yugas, devotees visited Mallikarjuna Mandir to seek blessings from Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, worshipped here as Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramarambika Devi.
- In Satya Yuga, Lord Narasimha visited this holy site. In Treta Yuga, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita came to Srisailam.
- In Dvapara Yuga, the Pandavas offered prayers here.
- In Kali Yuga, saints, rishis, yogis, spiritual leaders, and kings continued the tradition, making Srisailam an eternal center of devotion.
Spectacular Architecture
The Mallikarjuna Temple offers a divine visual treat with its breathtaking beauty at any time of the day. The main attraction is the ancient shrine that enshrines Lord Mallikarjuna. The temple is built with massive fort-like walls and crowned with four towering gopurams. Its intricate carvings and detailed sculptures can hold your attention for hours, showcasing the brilliance of traditional craftsmanship. Over centuries, different dynasties expanded and refined the temple, making it an architectural wonder that reflects layers of history and devotion.
How Lord Shiva Became a Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
The legend of the Mallikarjuna Temple Jyotirlinga begins with Silada Maharshi, who performed deep Tapasya to please Lord Shiva. Moved by his devotion, Lord Shiva granted him the boon of having two sons. Silada named them Nandi and Parvat. Both sons devoted themselves to learning everything about Lord Shiva and immersed in his divine knowledge.
Among them, Parvat performed intense Tapasya to win Lord Shiva’s grace. One day, Lord Bhola Shankara appeared before him. Parvat prayed for a unique blessing—he wished to become a mountain where holy beings and sacred energies could reside, just as they did in Mount Kailash. Surprised by such an unusual request, Lord Shiva admired his devotion and granted the boon. Parvat then became the sacred Srisailam mountain, and it was here that Lord Shiva manifested as a Jyotirlinga, now worshipped as Mallikarjuna.
How Goddess Parvati Became Bhramarambika Devi?
Arunasura, a demon, longed for immortality and first approached Goddess Gayatri with his request. She refused, telling him she did not hold such power. Determined, he performed Tapasya to please Lord Brahma. When his intense prayers disturbed the universe, the Gods pleaded with Brahma to intervene. Brahma denied Arunasura’s wish for immortality but allowed him to choose another boon. The demon then asked that no two-legged or four-legged creature should ever be able to kill him. Brahma granted this wish.
Empowered by his boon, Arunasura grew arrogant and began destroying creation, even troubling the Gods. They sought help from Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. To defeat him, Parvati transformed into Bhramara, a swarm of countless bees, and attacked the demon. The bees stung Arunasura until he fell lifeless, ending his tyranny. Overjoyed, the Gods requested Parvati to stay in a sacred abode where devotees could worship her forever. She accepted the form of Bhramarambika Devi.
When Parvati asked Lord Shiva which place rivaled the beauty of Mount Kailash, he declared Srisailam to be the next most divine. The divine couple chose to reside there eternally as Mallikarjuna and Bhramarambika Devi, blessing devotees for generations. This marked the origin of the Mallikarjuna Temple in Srisailam.
Darshan Timings and Tickets
The Mallikarjuna Mandir opens daily from 6:00 am onwards. Devotees above the age of 10 need to purchase a ticket for darshan. Tickets can be booked online through the official Devasthanam website or offline at the temple counters.
- Athiseeghra Darshanam: ₹300
- Seeghra Darshanam: ₹150
- Sparsha Darshanam: ₹500 (per person)
For online bookings, you must provide a valid government ID. Once booked, tickets cannot be canceled or rescheduled, and transferring them to another person is strictly prohibited. On the day of darshan, you must carry the same government ID used during booking.
As one of the most visited temples in South India, the Mallikarjuna Temple usually has a heavy rush of devotees. To make the process smoother, the temple provides a separate queue for senior citizens, pregnant women, new mothers, and people with disabilities.
Interesting Facts About Mallikarjuna Temple
- Many devotees have heard a buzzing sound in the Mallikarjuna Temple, believed to be the presence of Parvati Devi in her Bhramarambika Devi form. It is seen as her way of blessing those who visit with devotion.
- Some say Lord Shiva took the form of a hunter and fell in love with a Chenchu girl. They later married, and that’s why he is also known as Chenchu Mallayya.
- It’s believed that Sati’s upper lip fell at the Shri Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga site when Lord Shiva carried her after her sacrifice.
- Srisailam is often called the Kailasa of the South due to the spiritual importance of the Mallikarjuna Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati Devi.
- This temple is one of the few where devotees can touch the Shivalinga while offering milk during rituals.
Do’s And Don’ts At Temple
When visiting the Shri Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga temple, follow these guidelines to maintain discipline and respect.
- Wear only traditional Indian clothing
- Do not wear sleeveless outfits
- Keep your ID proof ready for darshan
- Do not carry food items inside the temple
- Submit your mobile phone at the Devasthanam clock room on the temple premises
- If you plan to stay, book your accommodation at least 15 days in advance through online services
- Leave mobile phones, cameras, and other electronics outside the temple
- Maintain silence and avoid unnecessary noise within the premises
- Try to book darshan tickets in advance using online options
How to Reach Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple?
You can reach the temple through several convenient transportation options. Common travel methods are listed below.
By Rail
The closest railway station is Markapur, located about 80 km from Srisailam. From there, you can take a bus or hire a taxi. The journey to the temple usually takes around 2 hours.
By Air
Kurnool Airport is the nearest at 180 km away. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is another option, situated 202 km from the temple. Both domestic and international flights land at Hyderabad. From the airport, a taxi ride to Sri Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple takes about 4 hours.
By Road
The Srisailam Bus Stand is the nearest, just 1 km from the temple. You can walk or take an auto rickshaw to reach the temple premises easily.
Best Time to Visit Sri Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
The ideal months to visit the Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy temple are from March to October. Major festivals like Mahashivratri Brahmotsavams, Karthika Mahothsavam, and Sravana Masam are celebrated during this time, drawing large crowds and enhancing the spiritual ambiance.
Conclusion
Mallikarjuna Temple stands as a timeless symbol of spiritual and cultural heritage. If you’re planning a trip to Srisailam, this sacred site deserves a place on your itinerary. A solo visit offers deep spiritual connection, while going with family or friends lets you enjoy its divine atmosphere together. For the most vibrant experience, plan your visit during major festivals like Shivaratri, when the temple fills with devoted worshippers and a powerful energy surrounds the place.
