Historical information

The Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple, more commonly known Srisailam Temple is located in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is built on the top of the Nallamala hills situated on the banks of River Krishna. The town of Srisailam is one of the oldest Kshethra or Regions in India. The famous hill is also known as Siridhan, Sirigiri, Sriparvatha and Srirangam. It is one of the most important Saivite pilgrimage sites in India.

There are two separate temple complexes present inside – one is dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna and the other one is Goddess Bhramaramba. The Linga of the presiding deity Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The deity Goddess Bhramarambha Devi is one of the eighteen Mahashakthis and one of the Shakti Peethas in India.

The sanctity of the hill is mentioned in Mahabharata, Skanda Purana and in numerous religious scriptures. The temple is surrounded by walls as high as 6 meters and several towers. The Srisailam Temple is adorned with beautiful and intricate sculpture work.

The origins of the Srisailam Temple are unknown and are mired in controversy. The earliest mention of the Srisailam hills can be traced to the Nasik inscription of the Satavahana King Vasisthiputra Pulumavi in 1st century AD.

The Lord Ikshvaku kingdom ruled Srisailam from AD200 – 300. These inscriptions dating around AD 375-612 states that Vishnukundis were the devotees of Sri Parvathsawamy also known as Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy. The Pallavas and the Kadambas also ruled this Srisailam region from AD 248-575 and AD 340-450 respectively. The Srisailam Temple architecture provides clues that Dynasty of Chalukyas and the Kakateeyas who also influenced several aspects to this temple administration. Mailamadevi, sister of Ganapathideva of the Kakateeya kingdom is said to have constructed this Vimana Gopuram of Mallikarjuna Garbhalayam.

The Golden Age of Srisailam temple is considered to be under the Reddy Kings (AD 1325-1448). They constructed the 854 steps which go down to the River Krishna or known as Pathala Ganga. The Vijayanagara rulers were responsible for major renovation works carried out at this Srisailam Temple. The Second Harihararaya of Vijayanagara Empire constructed the Mukamandapa of Mallikarjuna Temple. He also raised Gopuram on the south of the temple complex. Sri Krishnadevaraya is credited with the construction of the Raja Gopuram of this temple. In 1674, King Chhatrapati Sivaji visited the Srisailam Temple and carried out renovations under his name. The North Gopuram was constructed by him. After the fall of Mughal Emperors, this place came under the control of Nizam of Hyderabad. After independence, the Srisailam Temple was opened to the public in 1956.

Significance Of Diety

The Mallikarjuna Linga is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. He is supposed to have appeared in a fiery column of light. The Linga is also supposed to be self-born in nature. Goddess Bhramaramba temple is one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas in India. It is believed that neck of the Sati Devi fell here when her corpse was cut through by Sudarshana Chakra in the Daksha Yoga episode. There is Pancha Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra.

Anyone, irrespective of caste, creed or religion can perform Abhishekam and Archana to the Mallikarjuna Linga. The unique feature is that you can touch the Linga and perform the Puja yourself. It is believed that Lord Rama himself installed the Sahasra linga in the Srisailam Temple. The Linga is divided into 25 facets which in turn represent 40 Lingas each. This leads to total of 1000 small Lingas carved out of single Linga.

The Pandavas placed the Pancha Pandava Lingas in the temple courtyard. The five Lingas are named after the different forms of Siva – Sadyojatha, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha and Eesana. Stories from the Mahabharata are carved on the walls of this temple. The Srisailam temple is mentioned as holy hill in epic of Mahabharata.

It is believed that the Goddess Adishakthi turned into bee (Bhramaram) to slay the demon Arunasura. After slaying this demon, she settled in Srisailam. In the goddess Bhramaramba temple, it is believed that you can hear this buzzing sound of this bee through the hole in the wall.

According to scriptures, Saint Adi Shankara visited this temple and then composed the Sivananda Lahiri. In the Sivananda Lahiri, he sings praises for Lord Mallikarjuna and Goddess Bhramaramba in forms of several hymns. It is postulated that Hiranyakasipu, father of Bhakta Prahlada conducted Poojas to Lord Shiva here. Known as common faith that any devotee who worships Lord Mallikarjuna here is forgiven by lord of all their sins and is blessed with wealth and all his / her wishes are realized.

The River Krishna is in this form of an underground spring. Hence, it is called Paatalaganga. Devotees undertake a holy dip in this river before visiting temple for the darshan.

On the full moon day of the Kartika month (8th month of Hindu Indian calendar), Jvalathoranam is performed in this temple. It is believed that by viewing the Jvalathoranam, devotee’s sins are forgiven.

Traditional Practices

Smoking, Alcohol consumption and Non-Vegetarian food are not permied/allowed at temple premises.

Specific Rules & Regulations

It is advised to take bath and wear clean clothes as advised by the srisailam temple management.

Function Hall

Annadanam (Prasadam distribution) is provided at Annadana Mandiram or Annapurna Bhavanam to all the pilgrims visiting Srisailam Temple. The scheme is run by the Temple administration. On an average, they provide free meals for 2000-3000 people every day.

Darshan Timings

• Morning - 6:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. and Evening - 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

Special Entry Timings

• Morning - 6:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. and Evening - 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

Seva Timings

1. Suprabhatha Darshanam – 5:00 A.M. : Rs.300/- Couple or single person
2. Mahamangala Harathi – 5:50 A.M. : Rs.200/- One Person
3. Athiseegra Darshanam – 6:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. & 6:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. : Rs.100/- Couple or Single person
4. Special Queue Line Darshanam – 6:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. & 6:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. : Rs.50/- One Person"

Seva Details

1. Available

Prasad Timings/Details

1. Mangalavaidyams - 4:30 A.M.
2. Pratahkalapuja, Gopuja and Maha Mangala Harathi - 5:15 A.M.
3. Darshanam, Abhishekam and Archanas - 6:30 A.M.
4. Alankara Darshanam - 1:00 P.M.
5. Mangalavaidyams - 4:30 P.M.
6. Pradoshakalapuja - 4:50 P.M.
7. Susandhyam and Maha Mangala Harathi - 5:20 P.M.
8. Rajopachara puja - 5:50 P.M.
9. Darshanam, Abhishekam and Archanas - 6:20 P.M.
10. Naivedya samayam - 7:00 P.M.
11. Dharma Darshanam - 9:00 P.M.
12. Ekantha Seva - 9:30 P.M.

Festival Prasad Timings/Details

1. Laddu Prasadam(80 gms) : Rs. 10/- each
2. Pulihora Prasadam (150 gms) : Rs. 5/- each
3. Laddu Prasadam (400 gms) : Rs. 50/- each

Location

Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple or Srisaila Temple
Srisailam, Kurnool District,
Andhra Pradesh.
Pincode - 518101

Directions

Taxi services are available from airport to Thyrambakeshwar.
There are many private luxury buses available from Mumbai to Nasik.
Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple located in Srisailam is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Siva. Early it was called as Srigiri. Bhramarambha Temple is also located in the same complex. It is considered as one of the eighteen Sakti peethas in India. Bhramarambha is very ferocious deity. Originally she was worshipped by the Chenchu people. However, during British rule the temple was taken over by the Pushpagiri peetham forcibly with the help of the British Government ruling the Madras Presidency.

Travel Mode

By Road :
Srisailam Temple is well connected by APSRTC buses from all the places of AndhraPradesh State.From Chennai,Banglore concerned state RTC buses are available.
By Rail :
The Nearest railway station is Markapur and is located in Guntur-Hubli Railway Line.Srisailam Temple is about 91KM from Markapur and frequently buses services are available.
By Air :
The Nearest Airports are Hyderabad and Vijayawada. From hyderabad it is about 220km and from Vijayawada, the temple distance is about 270KM

Surrounding Places to Visit

1. Sikharam :
   The most sacred spot is located at about 8 Kms from the main temple at a height of 2830 feet above the mean sea level. It is the highest peak of Srisailam Hills.
2. Istakameswari Temple :
   The temple of Istakameswari is located in the dense and picturesque forest environment about 21 kms to the east of Srisailam. This temple is an ancient structure datable to 8th - 9th centuries A.D. The sculpture of the deity is very unique and have no parallel any where in India.
3. Panchamathas :
   It is located within a distance of 2 Km. of the west of the main temple.
4. Hatakeswaram :
   This picturesque spot is on the way to Srisailam of about 5 Kms away in a serene atmosphere. According to the tradition at this place god siva appeared to a Potter devotee in “Atika” (piece of pot) and named as “Atikeswaram” and later it became “Hatakeswaram” . There is a temple dedicated to Sri Hatakeswara Swamy and is a stone structure datable to 11the – 13th Centuries A.D.
5. Phaladhara Panchadhara :
   This most beautiful scene spot is located at about 4 Kms from Srisailam. Tradition records that Bhagavan Adisankara performed penance at this place and composed the famous “Sivanandalahari” here. This spot is a narrow valley approached by a flight of steps where subterranean treams of pure water with musical sounds reverberating the surroundings.
6. Sakshi Ganapathi :
   This small shrine located at about 2 Kms from Srisailam and frequented by pilgrims since ancient times. The traditional beliefs is that the Ganapathi in this temple jkeeps regular account of all the pilgrims to tender “Sakshyam” (evidence) of their visit to this kshetram and so named as Sakshi Ganapathi.
7. Kailasadwaram :
   Kailasadwaram is about 5 K.M from Srisailam where remainsd of once magnificent gate way can be seen even to day. The pilgrims after excruciating sonoum through step hills and valley, when finally reaches the planty surface, they get the feling of Kailasa i.e., Srisailam and hence names as “Kailasa Dwaram”.
8. Bheemuni Kolanu :
   Located between two steep hills this rock ledge endowed with spectacular water falls particularly in rainy. Traditionally this place is said to have acquired its name through an Epic episode that during the exile of Pandavas, Bheema while passing to this place was said to have broken the sheet rock with his Mace and brought this spring water and hence named as “Bheemuni Kolanu”.
9. Akkamahadevi Caves :
   This naturally formed cave, just above the flow of river Krishna upstreams is about at a distance of 10 Kms from Srisailam. It is known that Akkamahadevi of 12th Century A.D. did penance in this cave and worshipped the Siva Linga naturally existed in the deep and dark end of the cave and named as “Akkamahadevi Caves”.
10. Kadilivanam :
    This spiritually famous sacred spot is on the left side of the river Krishna and is about 21 Kms from Srisailam. It is said that Bhagavan Dattatreya and his other incarnations is believed to have dwelling at this place. It is also known that Akkamahadevi have breathed end her last at this place.
11. Nagalooty :
    Nagalooty, where a complex of temples are located is of about 28 Km from Srisailam. In historical inscriptions of medieval period, this place is referred as Longalooty. It is the place from which the ancient foot path to Srisailam begins and is the most popular route to Srisailam as it connects the region of Karnataka, the strong hold of Veerasaiva Cult.
12. Bhramaramba Cheruvu :
    This place is of about 70 Km from Srisailam and located in the ancient northern pathway to Srisailam from Umamaheswaram. It is at attitude of 16091 north and longitude of 78041 east. This place houses one of the most beautiful man made huge water storage tank amidst wild and beautiful forest environment. The tank appears to have been enlarged and renovated in 16th Century A.D.
13. Sarveswaram :
    Variously known as Saleswaram and Saileswaram this place is one of the sacret spots of Nallamalais, nearly of about 90 Km from Srisailam. Located in the beautiful forest environment it is at an attitude of 395 feet above the Sea level, at an attitude of 780481 north and longitude of 160061 east. This place is popular not only in folk tradition but also in the puranic lore also.
14. Gupta Mallikarjunam :
    This place is one of the most beautiful picturesque and treacherous spot which gives immorable pleasant and happiness at the sight of tremendous water fall located there. It is of about 36 Km from Srisailam. The sacred complex of Srisailam during medieval times provided shelter to many secret saivaite sects who performed their ritual acts in such inaccessible spots such as this.

Private Accomodation

Available

Function Hall

Annadanam (Prasadam distribution) is provided at Annadana Mandiram or Annapurna Bhavanam to all the pilgrims visiting Srisailam Temple. The scheme is run by the Temple administration. On an average, they provide free meals for 2000-3000 people every day.

Sevas

Annual Uthsavas

1. Godavari day, In the month of Magha (February) – the first twelve days of bright moon.
2. Nivrutti Natha festival, Three days in Pausha – sometime in January.
3. Mahashivaratri, On the 13th day of Krishna paksha of the month Magha – some time in March.
4. Rathayatra of Trimbakeshwar, On the full moon day of the month Kartika , called Tripuri Paurnima- sometime in November.