Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple: Where a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha Meet

The Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple, in the Nallamala hills of Andhra Pradesh above the Krishna river, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and also a Shakti Peetha of Goddess Bhramaramba. That rare pairing, along with a forest setting and centuries of royal patronage, makes it one of South India’s most important pilgrimages.

What is the legend of Mallikarjuna?

The best-known story says Shiva and Parvati’s son Kartikeya grew angry after a contest with his brother Ganesha and left Mount Kailash for the Krauncha hill in the south. His parents followed him to comfort him and stayed nearby. Shiva took the form of a jyotirlinga here as Mallikarjuna, and Parvati as Bhramaramba. Another tradition says a princess worshipped Shiva with jasmine flowers (mallika), giving the deity his name.

Bhramaramba’s name comes from bhramara, the bee. Legend says she took the form of a swarm of bees to destroy a demon, and devotees claim a faint humming can be heard through a small hole behind her shrine. That is a belief to be respected as tradition, not tested as science.

Why does being both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha matter?

For Shaivas, the twelve Jyotirlingas are places where Shiva appeared as an endless pillar of light. For Shaktas, Shakti Peethas mark places associated with the body of Goddess Sati. Very few sites are revered in both lists, so at Srisailam two great streams of Hindu devotion meet in one courtyard. Many pilgrims make a point of having darshan of both deities on the same visit.

Also readTirumala Venkateswara Temple: The Deep Story of the Lord of Seven Hills→

What does history tell us about Srisailam?

Inscriptions show the shrine was important by the early medieval period, and it was patronised by many dynasties, including the Kakatiyas and Reddy kings. Under the Vijayanagara empire, Harihara II is credited with building the temple’s mukha mandapa, and Krishnadevaraya made gifts here. In 1677, Chhatrapati Shivaji visited Srisailam and is credited with building the northern gopuram. Srisailam was also a centre of the Virashaiva tradition, closely linked with the saint Akka Mahadevi, who is said to have spent her last years in the region.

What is special about the setting?

The temple sits on a plateau in the Nallamala forest, part of one of India’s largest tiger reserves. The road from Hyderabad passes through the forest, and night travel through the reserve is restricted, so plan your timing. Below the temple, the Krishna river flows through a gorge, where the Srisailam dam and Patalaganga bathing ghat are reached by steps or ropeway.

Also readMahakaleshwar Ujjain: What Makes the Bhasma Aarti Unlike Any Other Temple Ritual→

How should you plan a visit?

1. Book darshan and accommodation through the temple devasthanam’s official website.
2. Time the forest road: check current gate timings for the tiger reserve stretch before you leave.
3. Visit both shrines: Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba, then Sakshi Ganapati on the way out, who tradition says records your visit.
4. Go down to Patalaganga for a holy dip in the Krishna.
5. Avoid peak days like Maha Shivaratri unless you want the festival crowds.

Her View: Srisailam is a temple where the goddess is not an afterthought. Bhramaramba’s shrine is as central as Shiva’s, and that balance is felt.

His Insight: From Kakatiya kings to Shivaji, rulers invested here because Srisailam linked regions, languages and traditions. Temples were also political geography.

Frequently asked questions

Is Srisailam a Jyotirlinga?

Yes. Mallikarjuna at Srisailam is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva.

Which Shakti Peetha is at Srisailam?

Goddess Bhramaramba’s shrine at Srisailam is revered as a Shakti Peetha and is counted among the Ashtadasha (eighteen) Shakti Peethas.

Which district is Srisailam in?

Srisailam is in Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh, formed in 2022 from Kurnool district.

Can I visit Srisailam at night?

The temple has set darshan hours, and the forest road has restricted night travel, so check timings and plan to arrive in daylight.

Sources and how this article was researched

This is a desk-research article. Legends are presented as tradition; historical claims are drawn from the sources below.

• Srisaila Devasthanam (official website)
• Wikipedia: Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam
• Wikipedia: Jyotirlinga

Part of H View’s Devotion & Heritage series. Previously: Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.