Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, Srisailam

• PlaceSrisailam, Nandyal District, Andhra Pradesh
• Presiding deityShiva

Traveller Note: The road through the Nallamala forest area (Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve) is generally closed at night; plan travel times accordingly.

Scriptural and Historical Significance

• Puranic Reference: According to the Shiva Purana (Kotirudra Samhita), Kartikeya, displeased over a marriage episode, withdrew to Krauncha Mountain; to meet him, Shiva and Parvati established Themselves here as Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba. The greatness of this region is described in the "Srishaila Khand" of the Skanda Purana.
• Jyotirlinga and Shaktipeeth: This is one of the rare sites where a Jyotirlinga and a Shaktipeeth (Mata Bhramaramba) stand within the same complex; Bhramaramba is counted among the Ashtadasha (eighteen) Maha Shaktipeeths.
• Historical Patronage: References date back to the Satavahana period; the Vijayanagara emperor Harihara II built the mukhamandapa (front hall), and Krishnadevaraya (16th century) constructed the gopurams (gateway towers) and mandapas. In 1677 CE Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took darshan here and had the northern gopuram built.
• Situated on the banks of the Krishna River in the Nallamala range, this region is a principal centre of the Shaiva and Veerashaiva traditions; according to tradition, Adi Shankaracharya composed the Shivananda Lahari here.

Key Features, Architecture, Rituals and Aarti

• Style: A Dravidian-style temple enclosed by high stone prakara (enclosure) walls (approx. 600 feet × 500 feet); these walls bear carved scenes from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and Shaiva legends. There are gopurams in all four directions.
• Garbhagriha: The swayambhu (self-manifested) linga is small in size; traditionally, devotees have been permitted sparsha-darshan (touching the linga, with abhishek) at fixed times, regulated according to crowd conditions.
• Bhramaramba Temple: Located on elevated ground behind the main temple; it is believed that the Devi slew Arunasura in the form of a bhramara (bee).
• Special Rituals: Rudrabhishek, kumkumarchana, and during the Mahashivratri Brahmotsavam, special worship at the Lingodbhava hour and the rathotsavam (chariot festival).

Best Time to Visit, Timings and Festivals

• Best Season: October to February; caution is required on the ghat road during the monsoon.
• Daily Darshan: Approx. 4:30 AM to 3:30 PM and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM; the morning Suprabhatam and Mahamangala Aarti at approx. 5:00 AM (Timings are subject to change; please confirm with the temple trust before travelling.)
• Major Festivals: Mahashivratri Brahmotsavam (approx. 11 days), the Ugadi festival (attended by large numbers of padayatris, pilgrims on foot, from Karnataka and Maharashtra), the Mondays of Kartik month and Dussehra (Bhramaramba Navratri).

How to Reach

• By Air: Kurnool (Orvakal) Airport approx. 180 km; Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi International) Airport approx. 200 km.
• By Rail: Markapur Road Station approx. 85 km (nearest); Kurnool City approx. 180 km.
• By Road: APSRTC and TSRTC buses from Hyderabad (approx. 215 km), Kurnool and Vijayawada; the final stretch is a ghat road through the Nallamala forest area.

Nearby Spiritual and Other Places

• Patalaganga (Krishna River Ghat): For holy bathing; ropeway available — approx. 1 km.
• Sakshi Ganapati Temple: It is believed that Ganesha here bears witness to the pilgrim's journey — approx. 3 km.
• Hatakeshwaram: Approx. 5 km.
• Shikhareshwaram: The highest point of Srishaila Hill — approx. 8 km.
• Akka Mahadevi Caves: Associated with the Veerashaiva saint-poetess; reached by boat on the Krishna River — approx. 10 km.
• Srisailam Dam: Approx. 14 km.

Photos

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Sources 1

• Major Temples, Tirthas & Dhams of India (Avyani project reference, EN + HI editions, Sep 2026)

Where a tradition is told differently from region to region or from one sampradaya to another, the tellings are given side by side.

Darshan timings, portal dates, registration rules and distances are approximate and change from time to time; please confirm with the official notices of the temple trust or administration before travelling.