Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
Lord Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Goddess Bhramaramba
Photo: Adityamadhav83, CC BY 4.0Legend
Tradition holds that the Shiva linga here was worshipped with jasmine, called mallika in Telugu, which gave the Lord the name Mallikarjuna. In the story told here, Kartikeya left home in anger after Ganesha was married first and went to Mount Krauncha; Shiva and Parvati came to stay near their son, and the place where they waited became Srisailam. The Goddess shrine marks the spot where, tradition says, Sati's neck fell when Shiva carried her body after the Daksha yagna.
Why this temple matters
Srisailam is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and also one of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas, home of Goddess Bhramaramba, so devotees see Shiva and Shakti worshipped together on one hill. It is also a Paadal Petra Sthalam sung by the Tamil Shaiva saints. Inscriptions trace the temple back to the Satavahana period, and Vijayanagara kings such as Harihara I made major additions. The complex covers about 2 hectares inside walls 183 m by 152 m and 8.5 m tall, with four gopurams.
What devotees pray for here
Dosha Remedies
Because a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha stand together here, devotees come to Srisailam to seek relief from doshas and hardships through abhishekam to Mallikarjuna Swamy and kumkum archana to Bhramaramba Devi.
Health & Healing
Devotees pray to Mallikarjuna Swamy for recovery and strength, often bathing first at Patala Ganga on the Krishna river, whose water is used to bathe the linga.
Peace & Family Harmony
Many come simply for calm: a dip in the Krishna, a quiet darshan of the linga and the Goddess, and time in the old stone halls on the forested Nallamala hill.
Festivals
- Maha Shivaratri (February–March): the biggest pilgrimage of the year to Mallikarjuna Swamy
- Ugadi (March–April): the Telugu New Year, when large crowds of pilgrims climb to Srisailam
Poojas & rituals
- Abhishekam to Mallikarjuna Swamy, traditionally with Krishna river water from Patala Ganga
- Archana with jasmine, the flower behind the name Mallikarjuna
- Sparsha darshan, when devotees may touch the linga (slots set by the Devasthanam)
- Kumkum archana to Goddess Bhramaramba
- Holy dip at Patala Ganga before darshan
Personal predictions for your own birth chart, pooja booking and prasad delivery are in the SantoBaba app.
How to reach
Srisailam is about 213 km from Hyderabad by road through the Nallamala forest, and about 180 km from Kurnool. The nearest railway station is Markapur Road, about 85 km away. Hyderabad has the nearest major airport. Buses run regularly from Hyderabad, Kurnool and other Andhra Pradesh towns.
Timings
The temple opens around 4:30 AM and closes around 10 PM. Sparsha darshan slots change from time to time, so check the Srisailam Devasthanam schedule before you go.
Rules & dress code
Darshan, sparsha darshan and dress rules are set by the Srisailam Devasthanam and can change, so check its current notices; traditional dress is the safe choice. Reaching Patala Ganga on the Krishna means climbing down 852 steps.
Frequently asked questions
Is Srisailam both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha?
Yes. Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and Bhramaramba Devi's shrine is one of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas, so both are worshipped in one temple.
Can I book an abhishekam at Srisailam without visiting?
Yes. Abhishekam and archana can be arranged through a priest, and SantoBaba sends you the video and prasadam.
How far is Srisailam from Hyderabad?
About 213 km by road, a drive through the Nallamala forest. Markapur Road is the nearest railway station.
Why is the Lord called Mallikarjuna?
Tradition holds that the linga was worshipped with jasmine, mallika in Telugu, and so the Lord came to be called Mallikarjuna.
Photo gallery
Other temples for Dosha Remedies: Brihadeeswarar Temple · Chamundeshwari Temple · Kashi Vishwanath Temple · Kedarnath Temple · Ramanathaswamy Temple · Somnath Temple · Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple · Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
Other temples for Health & Healing: Chamundeshwari Temple · Guruvayur Temple · Kashi Vishwanath Temple · Konark Sun Temple · Shirdi Sai Baba Temple · Somnath Temple · Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple · Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
Other temples for Peace & Family Harmony: Akshardham Temple · Badrinath Temple · Golden Temple · Jagannath Temple · Kapaleeshwarar Temple · Kashi Vishwanath Temple · Kedarnath Temple · Meenakshi Amman Temple · Ramanathaswamy Temple · Sabarimala Temple · Shirdi Sai Baba Temple · Sri Kanaka Durga Temple · Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple