Temple Timings

About the Temple

Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, also known as Srisailam is a Hindu temple in the Andhra Pradesh state of India

This temple honours the main deity Lord Shiva and his consort Maa Parvati.

The temple is profound as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva and one of the 18 Shakti Peethas.

The temple is also the significant embodiment of the Hindu faiths of Shaivism and Shaktism philosophy.

The Lingam in the temple represents Shiva by the name Mallikarjuna, his consort Maa Parvati known and worshipped as Bhramarambika devi or Bhramaramba.

 Mythological History

When Shiva and Parvati made the decision to find their sons and suitable spouses, Ganesha was married to Budhi, Siddhi, and Riddhi.

Angered upon his return, Karthikeya left to live on Mount Krauncha under the disguise of “Kumaara Brahmachari”.

He sought to relocate to a new location when he saw his father approaching to calm him.

But the Devas persuaded him to remain close by.

This is the place where Maata Parvati and Lord Shiva remained, and it  came to be known as Srisailam.

Significance of the deities

Shri Mallikarjuna

• Once an intense Tapasya for Lord Shiva was done by Silada Maharshi.
• His tapasya was accepted favourably, and Lord Bhola Shankara Granted him his son’s request.
• His sons would carry out the worship of Lord Shiva, likewise Nandi – Parvat was born to Silada Maharshi.
• Parvat carried out a tapasya and Lord Shiva appeared and enquired about his wish
• Parvat responded, “Just as all things holy exist in Kailash Parvat, I would like to be a comparable mountain packed with gods.
• Gods who inhabit as a single family, 9 holy rivers, holy water sources, many peaks, animals, and birds, all eight bhairavas, munis, and rishis.
• All the fruits bearing trees, plants, and trees, you will live above all me on my highest peak in the shape of a premier Jyotirlinga.
• Here is where I assume the shape of Himalaya, and you will live above all of these”.
• Impressed by his wish, Lord Shiva remarked and granted him a new home with the name Srisailam( also known as Sriparvatam, Srinagam, and Shrigiri)

Bhramaramba Devi

• Skanda Puranam and Srisaila Khandam depict the beautiful description of the ascent and manifestation of Bhramaramba devi, also called Parvati devi.
• A demon named Arunasura once performed Upasana in the name of Gayathri Devi, in the urge to ask for granting a boon of immortality.
• She in response told only Lord Brahma would be able to, hence as per suggestion, Arunasura began repeating “ Om Brahma Devaya namaha”, to appeal and please Lord Brahma.
• Likewise, Lord Brahma appeared as per all god’s advice to make peace, on confronting Lord Brahma discovers that the asura wished to be immortal.
• Lord Brahma disclaimed that it’s against the laws of the universe, and to make another wish.
• After a while, Arunasura declares that he will never perish at the hands of 2 or 4 legged living things.
• Lord Brahma granted the wish, but unconquerable Arunasura began creating havoc and didn’t even spare the gods.
• Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati were informed of the immortal actions and decide to kill the evil Arunasura.
• Maa Parvati assumes the form of Bhramaramba – thousand bees, and kills Arunasura
• As per the wish of Gods, Parvati Devi, as Bhramaramba starts to live in Srisailam, along with Lord Mallikarjuna.

A Brief into Ancient History

Contributions of various dynasties to the Establishment of Srisailam

Stories related to rulers of various dynasties are well told only through books and tales:

1. Satavahanas is the 1st dynasty that ruled Srisailam, under the kingship of 3rd ruler Satakarni.
2. Later the Ikshvaku dynasty ruled Andrapradesh’s Srisailam.
3. In the 6th century, C.E. Kadamba king Mayura Sharma addressed Srisailam as Sriparvatam, which was preceded by Bruddhana.
4. This led to the Pallava dynasty taking over the holy land of Srisailam.
5. The Rashtrakuta Empire’s dantidurga ruled over the region around Sriparvatam during 735-755 CE.
6. A gopuram was built atop Garbhalayam by Kalyana Chalukyaraju and Trayalokamalya Deva between 980 and 1085 CE.
7. In 1069 CE, his grandson gave Srishailam a village from Satrams and Dharamshala with an attached name “ Maha Shiva Temple” by the end of the 11th century.
8. The Hoysala dynasty’s rulers procured Crystal Shiva Lingams from Patalganga near the famous Krishna River in Sri Lanka, and have built various temples.
9. The 13th-century kings and queens were crucial to the growth of Srisailam namely Prolaya Vema Reddy.
10. A powerful ruler and a strong devotee of Lord Shiva gave the hamlet of Ramatheertham as a gift and supported Srisailam’s development.
11. Katyavema Reddy and Pedakomati Vema Reddy built steps to Srisailam and Patalaganga,.
12. In 1405 C E, the Vijayanagara dynasty controlled Andhra Pradesh in the fourteenth century C E
13. Hariharaya II oversaw the main temple hall’s development on the auspicious occasion of Shivaratri
14. Many Chenchus visited the temple grounds and participated in numerous rituals and prayers during the 18th and 19th centuries in the temple

Temple Architecture

The temple has 2 hectare-long, 4 gopurams, with the most notable shrines Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba.

The Temple complex is an attractive place in terms that it was built during the Vijayanagara era, called Mukha Mandapa.

The temple faces the east direction, with a central mandapam and huge pillars.

The centre of the temple includes a big Nandikeshwara idol.

There are massive walls that are 8.5m tall, with the sculptures surrounding each other.

The main entrance hall i.e Mukha Mandapa includes elaborately carved pillars.

Belonging from the 7th century, the shrines where Mallikarjuna is kept are thought to be the oldest in the temple.

There are five more lingams that are believed to be ordered by the Pandavas, as well as the Sahasra linga.

Images of Natraja can also be seen in the glass chamber.

About Srisailam

Srisailam is a holy place of great historical significance located in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh at a distance of 180 km.

The Krishna River touches all three places of Srisailam, which is situated amid the lush Nallamala forest.

The pious river flows atop Srisailam hills in the form of Nandishwara dozing at the roots of a tree.

To receive the divine blessings of Sri Mallikarjuna Bhramaramba devotees travel to Srisailam and take a dip in the Patalganga alongside the River Krishna.

Doing this is a holy ritual and a strong belief in the devotees that it will wash away all their sins from the past and destroy negative karma.

Deities in the temple

Mallikarjuna Swamy and Maata Bhrahmaramba are the main deities of the temple

In the center of the main temple, a huge idol of Lord Nandikeswara is placed.

A huge statue of Arunasura is located at the entrance to the temple.

Also are Lord Ganesha, Navagraha, and Karthikeya, there is a huge Shiva Lingam on the temple premises that is visible from a far distance.

Festivals Celebrated

Mahashivarathri is the main festival of the temple dedicated to offering pooja and offering to fast to lord Shiva.

Also, Dasara Sarannavar is celebrated with great grandeur in the month of Sept-October.

Shravana Mahotsava and Karthikeya Mahotsava are some of the prominent festivals celebrated in the temple.

 Pooja and Seva services (with Pricing)

Dress Code & Temple Rules

To be followed on temple premises

• No western clothes and shorts allowed
• Devotees must be traditionally dressed in Kurta Pyjama or Vesto or Shirt and trousers to enter the temple for Darshan
• Refrain from using mobile phones and outside food to maintain the cultural decorum of the scared place

Ways to reach Srisailam temple

By Air: There is no direct connectivity through flight to Srisailam, however, the nearest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad.

The airport is located 202 km away from Srisailam.

By Train: The nearest Railways Station is Markapur which is 80 km away from the temple

By Road: The temple is situated just 1km away from the Srisailam bus stand, and the road away is feasibly connected with major cities like Hyderabad, Kurnool, Nandyala, and other cities from outside of AP.

How do Pooja and other Seva bookings?

Devotees who are willing to book pooja and other seva services can avail of online modes of payment i.e Netbanking/ Bhim UPI / Cheque on the given account mentioned on the Online Booking

If you are not present physically during the pooja/abishekam, prasad of the same will be sent by post or couriers to the address mentioned during booking.

Accommodation

The Srisailam Devasthanam administrators have established the Kuteera Nirmana Pathakam.

Under this program, they have constructed a number of suites, cottages, apartments, and dormitories for visitors.

Upto 80 privately owned hotels and restaurants offer lodging and meals in the region

 To name a few:

• Akhil Bharata Arya Vysya Annapurna Satram

• Hotel Shrisaila’s Nest

• Kakatiya Anna Satra Sanagam

• Reddy Sathram

•  Vasavi Sathram

FAQ

• Why is Shiva referred to as Mallikarjuna in Srisailam?

The reigning God, who took the shape of a linga- a representation of Shiva- was worshipped with jasmine flowers also known as Mallika in Telugu, hence the name Mallikarjuna