Mallikarjuna temple Andhra Pradesh, also known as Srisailam Jyotirlinga temple has an interesting story. Mallikarjuna Swamy, the second jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, is situated in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, popularly known as Kashi of the South. It is situated in the Nallamala hill woods along the banks of the Krishna river, some 215 kilometres from Hyderabad. While you’re there, visit Srisailam nearby tourist places and experience the Srisailam Jyotirlinga story. This article sheds a light on Srisailam Mallikarjuna temple timings, how to visit Mallikarjuna temple, and facts about Mallikarjuna temple.
Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple Timings
Mallikarjuna temple Andhra Pradesh keeps its darshan open to all believers, so make a note of the Srisailam Mallikarjuna temple timings.
- Morning – 4.30 am to 3.30 pm
- Evening – 4.30 pm to 10.00 pm
- Suprabhata Darshan – 5:00 am
- Maha Mangala Haarathi – 5:50 am
- Athisigra Darshan – 6:30 am to 1:0PMpm & 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
- Special Queue Line Darshan – 6:30 am to 1:00 pm & 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
- Free Darshan in general Queue – 6:00 am to 3:30 pm & 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Maha Mangala Haarathi (Evening) – 5:00 pm
- Quick Darshan – 6:30 am to 1:00 pm & 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Srisailam Jyotirlinga Story
Ganesha and Kartikeya’s parents, Lord Shiva and Parvati, decided to find them acceptable spouses during the Vedic era. It was determined that the first couple would be whoever completes the Pradakshinam circuit. Ganesha travelled around his parents seven times while Kartikeya set off on his journey around the globe. According to the Shastras, going around one’s parents once is equated to travelling around the globe.
The twins Riddhi and Siddhi were the wives of Lord Ganesha. However, when he returned, Lord Kartikeya was not very happy and decided to retire to Mount Kravanja. He took the name Kumarabrahmachari and made his home on the Mount.
Shiva and Parvati, who were both overcome with regret, followed him there. They resided in an area that later became known as Srisailam. It was in this location that worshippers first began offering jasmine flowers to Shiva, earning him the name Mallikarjuna. This was the detailed Srisailam Jyotirlinga story.
Srisailam Jyotirlinga History
Prehistoric studies estimate that Srisailam has been inhabited for between 30,000 and 40,000 years. Concerning the Srisailam temple stone tools from that period are widely distributed across Srisailam. Epigraphical evidence indicates that the Satavahanas, the first empire builders in South India and the first kings of Andhradesh, are where Srisailam’s history began.
After the Mughal emperors conquered the area, the Nawabs of Kurnool were given this location as Jagir. The Nizam of Hyderabad took possession of this location following the collapse of the Mughal emperors. When the Nizam gave the British East India Company control of the Kurnool district in 1800 A.D., Major Manro gained control of the area and gave the district’s management to the district court’s officials.
The British government established a committee in 1929 to oversee the shrine. The temple was taken over by the Endowments Department in 1949, and once it was opened to the public by the road in 1956, it regained its former splendour. Read facts about Mallikarjuna temple and also how to visit Mallikarjuna temple in the below section.
Also Read- 12 Jyotirlinga List With Place In India And How To Reach
Interesting Facts About Mallikarjuna Temple
- The name Mallikarjuna in ‘Mallikarjuna temple Andhra Pradesh’ comes from the legend that Lord Shiva manifested as Arjun on Amavasya and Goddess Parvati as Mallika on Purnima (full moon day), respectively.
- The Pandavas installed five Shivalingas in this magnificent Mallikarjuna temple Andhra Pradesh. The north of the temple is where you’ll find these five lingas.
- Richly detailed sculptures, fortified walls and towers can be found at the Srisailam Jyotirlinga temple. The temple is one of the greatest examples of Vijayanagara architecture and is constructed in the Dravidian style, with tall towers and expansive courtyards.
- According to legend, Goddess Parvati battled the demon Mahishasura by changing into a bee. As a result of devotees’ claims that they can often hear a bee humming through a hole inside the temple, it is also known as the Bhramaramba temple.
- There are only three such temples in India, and Jyotirlinga is unique in that. It is a jyotirlinga as well as a Shakti Peetha (a special temple of Shakti Devi, of which there are 18).
- A minor shrine honouring Lord Shiva’s vicious manifestation, Veerabhadra Swamy, is also located within the Srisailam Jyotirlinga temple complex.
- The current modifications to the temple are thought to have been made when King Harihara I of the Vijayanagara Empire reigned. The Reddi Kingdom is when the Patalganga & Veerashero mandapam steps were built.
- The Srisailam Jyotirlinga temple is about 213 kilometres from Hyderabad and 180 kilometers from the administrative centre of the Kurnool district.
- There are four gopurams or gateway towers, in the 2-hectare Mallikarjuna temple complex.
- All visitors are permitted to touch the idol, which is not common in other temples, which is one of the temple’s distinctive features.
How To Visit Mallikarjuna Temple Andhra Pradesh
Make sure you plan how to visit Mallikarjuna temple based on the journey by the following:
1. Visit Mallikarjuna Temple By Air
Currently, there is no direct flight connection to Srisailam. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, which is in Hyderabad, is the closest.
2. Visit Mallikarjuna Temple By Road
There are frequent bus services that run to and from Srisailam. They run daily from locations like Nellore, Visakhapatnam, etc., day or night. For the same journey, you can also use shared taxis or cabs.
3. Visit Mallikarjuna Temple By Railways
Srisailam lacks a direct rail connection. About 60 kilometers from Srisailam, in the Cumbum district, is the closest railway station. Regular passenger trains and express trains are both available from Cumbum to Srisailam.
Also Read- All About Shivling Story, The Origin Of Lingam And Signs That Lord Shiva Is With You
Srisailam Nearby Tourist Places
- Akka Mahadevi caves
The Nallamala hills are home to the naturally occurring caverns known as Akka Mahadevi caves. The boat journey from Patala Ganga, which allows you to take in the surrounding natural beauty, is one of the pleasures of visiting these caves.
- Srisailam wildlife sanctuary
One of the Srisailam nearby tourist places is its wildlife sanctuary. Srisailam wildlife sanctuary is 6.6 KM far from the Srisailam Jyotirlinga temple. The largest tiger reserve in India is often referred to as Nagarjuna Srisailam Tiger Reserve.
- Shikaresvara temple
In Srisailam, you should also visit the intriguing Shikaresvara temple. At a height of 2830 feet, this historic temple is perched atop Sikharam, Srisailam’s tallest hill.
Conclusion
Even though Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is accessible all year round, going during festivals enhances the pleasure of the darshan. One of the most well-known festivals at the temple is the seven-day Maha Shivaratri Brahmotsavam. The month of February or March is when this celebration is observed. Another well-known temple festival is the five-day Ugadi celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is Mallikarjuna famous?
People venerate this location as a Shakti Peetha because it is where the upper lip of the goddess Sati fell. The ability of worshippers to touch the Shiva Linga and perform the Abhisheka ritual with milk, which is not permitted in many other temples, is a particularly special feature of the temple. When a devotee does Abhishekam for a beautiful and potent Jyotirlingam, they experience intense spiritual happiness.
2. Who built Srisailam Jyotirlinga?
The temple was built in the second century, according to inscriptions from the Satavahana dynasty. The majority of the contemporary alterations were made by Vijayanagara Empire monarch Harihara I. Reddi Kingdom was when the veerashero mandapam and patalganga steps were built.
3. What is special about Mallikarjuna?
Due to the presence of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati as Jyotirlingas, it is special. ‘Mallika’ alludes to Goddess Parvati, while ‘Arjuna’ is one of the various titles of Lord Shiva. These two words are combined to form the name Mallikarjuna.
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