Mallikarjuna Temple

Mallikarjuna at Srisailam is one of the rare shrines counted both among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas of the Goddess. Set in the Nallamala hills above the Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh, the hilltop complex enshrines Lord Shiva as Mallikarjuna alongside his consort Bhramaramba Devi — which is why it is often called the Kailash of the South.

A Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha together

Very few sites carry both distinctions. As the second Jyotirlinga, Srisailam is sacred to followers of Shiva; as the Bhramaramba Shakti Peetha, it is equally revered by devotees of the Goddess. Unusually, the temple lets every devotee, including women, enter the sanctum and touch the lingam during abhishekam — a practice not allowed at most other Jyotirlingas.

History

Srisailam appears in ancient texts and in inscriptions spanning many centuries. The fortified complex took much of its present shape under the Reddy and Vijayanagara rulers between the 14th and 16th centuries, who raised the towering gopurams, the pillared halls and the long sculpted outer wall that still rings the temple.

Architecture

Built in the Dravidian style, the temple sits within high stone walls carved with scenes from the epics and Puranas. Gateway gopurams, the mukha-mandapa and the inner shrines of Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba form a layered plan that rewards an unhurried walk. The relief-covered outer prakara wall is among the finest in southern India.

Bathing in the Krishna at Patalaganga

Below the temple the Krishna river, here called Patalaganga, flows through a deep gorge. Pilgrims descend by steps or ropeway for a holy dip before darshan. The Srisailam dam and reservoir lie close by, and the surrounding Nallamala forest forms part of a tiger reserve.

Festivals

Maha Shivaratri is the year’s great festival, marked by an eleven-day Brahmotsavam. Ugadi, the Telugu new year, and the Navaratri worship of Bhramaramba Devi also fill the hill with pilgrims, as does the annual Kumbhotsavam.

Darshan timings and rituals

The temple is generally open from about 4:30 am to 10:00 pm, with several daily abhishekams and aartis. Sparsha darshan and special sevas can be booked at the counters, and traditional dress is appreciated. Entry is free, with paid tickets for quicker darshan and specific sevas.

How to reach Srisailam

• By road: about 180 km from Hyderabad and 200 km from Kurnool, with regular state buses up the ghat road.
• By train: the nearest railheads are Markapur Road and Nandyal (roughly 85–150 km).
• By air: Hyderabad (~210 km) is the nearest airport.

Tips for your visit

• Carry a change of clothes if you plan to bathe at Patalaganga.
• Weekdays are far calmer than weekends and Shivaratri.
• The ghat road runs through a tiger reserve and is scenic but winding — start early.
• Pair darshan with the Sikharam viewpoint and the Akkamahadevi caves by boat.

Frequently Asked Questions

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