Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple
Folktale & Sacred Story
When Shiva and Parvati arranged the marriages of their sons, Ganesha won the hand of Riddhi and Siddhi by wisely circling his parents rather than racing the globe as his brother Kartikeya had set out to do. Kartikeya, upset at losing the contest, withdrew in anger to Mount Krauncha and refused to be consoled. Shiva and Parvati followed to pacify him; as he kept retreating further whenever they approached, the Devas persuaded him to stay nearby instead, and the spot where his parents then settled came to be known as Srisailam. Local tradition also holds that the presiding linga was originally worshipped with jasmine flowers (mallika in Telugu), giving the deity the name Mallikarjuna.
Most Revered Practice
Maha Shivaratri is the temple's principal festival, drawing enormous crowds for special abhishekams and all-night vigils at the Jyotirlinga. A distinctive daily practice tied to the site is the descent of 852 steps to the Krishna River, locally called Patala Ganga, where pilgrims bathe before climbing back up for darshan.
Prasadam & Offerings
The temple distributes laddu as prasadam to devotees, along with theertham (holy water) and vibhuti (sacred ash); free meals (annaprasadam) are also served to pilgrims at the temple's dining hall.
Temple Speciality
Srisailam is one of a small number of sites in India that is simultaneously a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha, honoring Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba together in the same complex. The temple stands within the Nallamala forest on the banks of the Krishna River, inside what is now the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, with major architectural contributions from the Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Reddy kings and the Vijayanagara Empire.
Why Pilgrims Visit
The rare double sanctity as both Jyotirlinga and Shakti Peetha makes Srisailam a magnet for both Shaiva and Shakta pilgrims in a single visit. Its remote hill-and-forest setting, the steep descent to the sacred Patala Ganga, and centuries of temple architecture add to its distinct character.
History & Legend
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas and simultaneously one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas, making it uniquely sacred to both Shaiva and Shakta traditions. Inscriptions and structures here span the Satavahana to Vijayanagara periods.
Divine Significance
Believed to be a site where Shiva and Parvati manifested to bless a devotee, it draws pilgrims seeking both liberation and worldly wellbeing.
Darshan Timings
The temple is generally open from around 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with darshan typically available from about 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM (please confirm exact timings with the temple before visiting, as they vary by season and festival).
How To Reach
Nearest airport: Hyderabad or Kadapa. Nearest railhead: Markapur Road / Kurnool, followed by road; well-connected APSRTC buses run from Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Kurnool directly to Srisailam.
Where To Stay
Devasthanam-run cottages and choultries are available in Srisailam town; private hotels also line the temple road.
Local Food Nearby
Being inside a forest and tiger reserve, dining options right at Srisailam are limited mainly to the temple's annaprasadam hall and a handful of simple local and lodge canteens serving Andhra vegetarian meals.
Contact & Official Info
Official site: srisailamdevasthanam.net
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