Srisailam is a hill town in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. It is home to the holy Malikarjuna Jyotirlinga and also one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas of goddess Parvati. Situated on the banks of river Krishna, Srisailam is identified with a wildlife sanctuary and a dam. It is located at a height of around 457m from sea level. The Nallamala forest ranges with multifarious flora and fauna lie close to the Srisailam hills.
It is significant to the Hindu sects of both Shaivism and Shaktism as this temple is referred to as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and as one of the eighteen Shakti Pithas, centres of the Hindu Goddess. Shiva is worshipped as Mallikarjuna and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Bhramaramba.
This temple is also called the ‘Kashi of the South.
ARCHITECTURE OF TEMPLE
Upon entering the temple, one is immediately struck by the grandeur of its expansive 2-hectare grounds and towering raja gopurams, or gateway towers. Inside, a breathtaking array of sculptures and images greets visitors, centred around the majestic Mallikarjuna Shiva Linga, complemented by various other shrines. Notably, the temple boasts a sprawling complex featuring numerous halls, with the Mukha Mandapa being of particular significance, dating back to the Vijayanagar period.
The oldest shrine within the temple structure, dating back to the 7th century, is dedicated to the Lord. Additionally, the Saharara linga, or 1000 linga, stands as a magnificent sight. The mirror hall offers a mesmerizing display of Lord Nataraja’s images.
The temple’s majestic pillars immediately captivate with their immense size and intricate sculptural work, bringing the entire structure to life with their craftsmanship. These pillars are a compelling study for enthusiasts of ancient temple architecture. Within the small sanctum sanctorum, a few priests attend to a modest linga, adorned with a golden hood.
Nataraja Temple: Within the premises of the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, there is a Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva in his cosmic dance form. The beautifully sculpted Nataraja idol symbolizes the rhythm and harmony of the cosmos.
Pranam Path: The Pranam Path is a 2.5 km long corridor encircling the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple. Devotees walk along this path, offering prayers and seeking blessings from the divine, as they circumambulate the sacred temple.
HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE
There are many stories related to this temple. Some most famous include:
- Ganesha and Kartikeya, the two sons of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati, once decide to have a race between them. The objective of race was to circumvent the entire world, three times. The one doing it in the fastest time will be the winner. Lord Kartikeya ( also called Murgan swami in South India), was confident in his abilities and believed his peacock would ensure a swift victory. Meanwhile, Lord Ganesha, aware of his mouse’s limitations, pondered an alternative approach. As the race began, Kartikeya’s peacock soared into the sky, drawing cheers from the crowd. But Ganesha remained stationary. Shiva noticed this and urged Ganesha to hurry. Instead of racing around the world, Ganesha walked toward his parents’ throne. He circled them thrice and stood before them with folded hands.
When questioned about his unconventional approach, Ganesha humbly explained that his parents meant the world to him. Their love was boundless, and the entire universe couldn’t contain it. Thus, he chose to circle his parents, symbolizing their significance. Impressed by Ganesha’s wisdom, Shiva declared him the winner.
In a competition between Lord Ganesha and Lord Karthikeya, the former won and as a result, the parents Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati consented to him getting married first. When Lord Karthikeya came back and got to know this, he became very angry and decided to leave Kailash and move to the Pillani Hills to reside.
However, his parents decided to come along with him and stay in this place. On earth, they called themselves Arjuna and Mallika and the place where they stayed got their presence formed a Jyotirling called Mallikaarjun. The reason, why Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati came down was to appease their son Lord Karthikeyan, who was angry that his brother Lord Ganesha was getting married before him as he was older than him. Inside the temple, you can see the deities of Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bharmaramba Devi.
life lessons one can learn from this story —————————-
- Devotion and Wisdom: Ganesha’s wisdom was not defined by mere swiftness but by his profound devotion and understanding of deeper truths. True wisdom is rooted in acknowledging the importance of relationships and values above mere outward accomplishments.
- Unique Abilities: Each person carries within them unique strengths and capabilities. Rather than competing with others, it’s most important to understand our own individual talent towards accomplishing our goals.
- Family Bonds: The tale highlights the vital role of familial ties, emphasizing that our loved ones form the core of our existence. Prioritizing the nurturing and cherishing of these bonds is paramount.
- Out of the various legends surrounding this place, perhaps the most interesting one is that of Princess Chandravati. The princess came to reside on this hill after running away from a domestic hardship and one day, witnessed one of her cows pouring milk on a natural rock formation resembling a Shivling. That very day, Lord Shiva appeared in her dream, asking her to build a temple on that spot and so she did.
- Another legend about Parvatha gives rise to the belief that Lord Shiva resides on the hill. When Parvatha, a stout Shiva devotee asked him to grant three wishes, Lord Shiva did. One of the wishes was to have Lord Shiva reside on his body. Parvatha assumed the shape of Srisailam hill, and Lord Shiva made it his abode as Sriparvatha Swamy.
How to Reach Mallikarjuna Temple
Srisailam is a place that is well connected to various cities close by Hyderabad being the most important point. Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is located around 180 kilometres from the Kurnool district headquarters, and 213 kilometres from Hyderabad.
Air – Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is the nearest airport to Srisailam. It is connected to 77 cities. You may take a cab or a bus from the airport to Hyderabad MGBS (Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station), where you’ll take a bus to Srisailam.
Train – Arrive at the railway station closest to Srisailam and then come to the temple via bus or taxi – Pilgrims coming by train would need to alight at the railway station in either Markapur or Tarlupadu. These stations are between 2 and 2.5 hours by road. The Kacheguda-Guntur passenger passes through the Giddalur railway station which is 139 kilometers from the temple. Nearest Railway Station: Markapur
Road – Reach Hyderabad via bus service operating from your city or the one closest to you. Hyderabad is just 6 km from Srisailam, so book any bus from the city or a private cab and arrive at Srisailam.
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) provides daily bus services from Hyderabad to Srisailam. Buses leave from several locations in Hyderabad mainly from Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station. Travelling by bus normally takes 5–6 hours, subject to the type of bus and road conditions.
OTHER FAMOUS ATTRACTIONS AROUND THE TEMPLE IS —————-
- SAKSHI GANPATI MANDIR- Sakshi Ganapathi temple is located 2 km east of the main temple. Since Ganapathi presents proof that each devotee has visited Srisailam to Lord Shiva in Kailasa, he is called Sakshi Ganapathi. He is sculpted beautifully out of a black stone. His trunk is folded to his left and seems to write down the names of the devotees who visit Srisailam. The devotees who worship Srisailam visit Sakshi Ganapathi and tell him their Gotra names.
The Aaagamas detail the significance of Sakshi Ganapathi. He represents time. Time is the observer of all and holds proof. Sakshi means that which holds proof of each second. Sakshi Ganapathi observes all, keeps the proof of their acts and delivers the good and bad that they deserve. We can live in peace if we know someone holds proof of our good acts. Even if we forget, he never does. Such a god who holds the power of many destinies is Sakshi Ganapathi. While Ganesh considered his parents his whole world, Kumaraswamy established that the whole world is filled with Shiva-Shakti. World’s Mother and Father, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi with all the powers vested in them start their journey towards, Earth’s Kailasa, the world’s centre, home to Vedas, Upasanakendra, their new called home, Srisaila Kshetram. Ganapathi also joins them to reside in Srisailam.
The idol that can be seen now was placed here 3 and a half decades ago. There used to be an ancient idol here which has been replaced by a new one. The 16 columns of the front-facing hall along with four columns of the inner hall have been brought together by walls to form a sanctum in which the idol has been placed. The cemented walls of the front facing wall have been inscribed with Naradatumbarulu.
- PATAL GANGA —-Located at a distance of only 1 km away from the ancient Sri Mallikarjuna Temple, Patala Ganga is another place worth visiting on a Srisailam Tour. Situated in the backwaters of River Krishna, Pathala Ganga is considered to be highly auspicious; it is also said to have medicinal properties. Many devotees can be seen taking a holy dip in the sacred waters here. It is believed that taking a dip here can cure various kinds of skin diseases.
To reach Patala Ganga, steps have been built. There are also iron chains to help devotees stand against the force of river water. They can hold these chains while taking a dip. From Hanuman Temple, there are around 500 steps to reach Patala Ganga. There is also the option of travelling via ropeway. The ropeway which starts from the ropeway centre near Srisailam Haritha Hotel is quite popular among visitors.
- Rope Way Experience: Srisailam offers a unique ropeway experience that takes visitors from the foothills to the hilltop, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and making the journey to the temple even more memorable.
- Srisailam Wildlife Sanctuary: Located near the temple town, the Srisailam Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area known for its diverse flora and fauna. The sanctuary attracts nature enthusiasts and adds to the spiritual charm of the region.
- Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple: Another significant temple close to Srisailam is the Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman with five faces. This temple adds to the religious diversity and appeal of the region.
In simple terms, Srisailam is a place where people show deep love and belief in God. Many devotees visit this special home of Lord Shiva, making it feel incredibly holy and spiritual.
To put it briefly, Srisailam is very important spiritually because it’s one of Lord Shiva’s special places and a revered spot for Goddess Shakti. It’s surrounded by beautiful forests and has old temples, giving it a mix of nature, culture, and religion. The town hosts important ceremonies and events, attracting many visitors who come seeking blessings from Lord Mallikarjuna and the power of devotion. Its natural beauty and spiritual atmosphere leave a lasting impression on everyone who visits, inspiring them on their spiritual journey.
courtesy: Times of India, Srisilam tourism
@nandasagec MANISHA NANDAN
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