Spiritual Trip Guide to Mallikajurna Jyotirling Srisailam

BLOG POST: Spiritual Trip Guide to Mallikajurna Jyotirling Srisailam.  The day is ending, and with it comes the cooling effect as the Earth slowly cools. The huge orb of the Sun, now a glowing sphere, continues its downward journey, poised to disappear behind the distant hills on the horizon, marking the end of the day.

I  quickly slow ViKtor down and park it alongside, intent on capturing this spectacle of everyday nature. It has been my nth stop on the journey. My rational mind tells me that it is one stop too many, but the sun, Ohh, the setting sun invokes passion inside whenever I  look upon this intense, radiant ball of fire, smouldering in the glow of the approaching dusk. 

Picture taken, I turn my gaze to the opposite side and look at the brooding forest rising from the ground. It is this that I  am supposed to drive into. The Nallamalla forest, described in Telugu as dense and dark, beckons me in a quiet, brooding way. One of the oldest forests in India, the Nallamalla forests have witnessed the rise and fall of ancient empires, an age of warriors and spiritual saints. 

Nallamalla Forests 

The place I am headed to lies in the core of the Nallamalla forest. Even more ancient than the forest itself, my destination, the holy abode of Lord Shiva & Maa Parvati at Srisailam.

For now, Srisailam is still some way off, and I  am to navigate the mountainous forested ghat roads in the oncoming darkness as the light fades quickly. But there are still some moments of light for me to savour the feel of Nallamalla forests before darkness takes over. I do make the most of this opportunity. Viktor trundles ahead with a quiet sense of purpose, ever prepared to make me reach my destination most safely. The sense of safety I feel driving this powerhouse through conditions like dense forests and forested roads cannot be adequately described. It is an immensely reassuring feeling to have the power of a capable machine at your fingertips, and one is better prepared to meet what nature has in store. 

Spiritual Trip Guide to Mallikajurna Jyotirling Srisailam

Srisailam, known as “The Divine Kailasa on Earth,” embodies deep spiritual reverence, inspiring awe and devotion among visitors. It is the most famous Jyotirling in Andhra Pradesh. One of the 12 Jyotirling in India.

The earliest mention of Srisailam dates to the 2nd-3rd century. During the reign of the Satvahanas, inscriptional evidence is found. Over centuries, people and dynasties faded away, yet Srisailam stood as a beacon of devotion and faith, becoming stronger with each passing century. 

Perched atop the peaks of Shri Shaila mountain, Mallikajurna temple at Srisailam is entwined with Shaiva and Shakti worship. 

History of Srisailam

The legend of Srisailam, where Shiva and Maa Parvati presided as Mallikarjuna and Arjuna, invites you to feel the divine presence and wonder of this sacred place. 

There is a local legend that goes like this: in the olden days, there lived a princess of the mountains called Chandravati who once noticed a cow shedding her milk over a stone that resembled a shivalingam. Believing the rock to be Shiva himself, she started worshipping and garlanding it every day with jasmine, also known as “Malle”. This gave the temple the name Mallikajurna Swamy. 

The Goddess Shakti is worshipped here as Bramarambha. The temple rests on the banks of the holy Krishna River, which is called Paatal Ganga out here. The Krishna River is known as one of the seven most sacred rivers in the Indian Subcontinent. The others being Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaveri.

Srisailam is famed for the number of bees that reside here. They can be heard buzzing as one walks the quiet pathways. The legends speak about the tale of Goddess Adya Shakti, the supreme form of energy. She transformed into a bee to kill the demon Arunasura. Thus, after killing the demon at Srisailam, she started residing here. Hence, the Shaktipeetha out here is named Bharambha Devi. ‘Bharambha’ in the local language means a bee. 

Spiritual Trip Guide to Mallikajurna Jyotirling Srisailam

Srisailam temple holds a very high level of religious and archaeological significance. It is the only temple that is a heritage site. 

It is also a Paadal Petra Sthalam. This means there are 275 temples, also known as Sthalams, that were praised and glorified by a group of 63 highly acclaimed saints living in Tamil Nadu during the 6TH-9TH centuries. These saints, the Saiva Nayanars, were Shiva devotees who composed hymns to honour Lord Shiva. Accordingly, these Paadal Petra Sthalams are considered to be highly revered Shiva temples in the Indian Subcontinent. 

Reaching Srisaliam 

It is to such a place, steeped in legends and lore as described above, that I  was aspiring to reach. Truly, if the blessings of the Goddess are on me, I shall complete this journey and feel the spiritual vibe of Srisailam. 

It was pretty dark by the time I  reached Srisailam. The entry to the town is marked by the Siva Parvathi Statue. My stay was pre-booked, and I would discuss accommodation subsequently. 

The thing that struck me outright as I entered the town and parked at a tea shop to have some tea was the chants of the Shiva Panchakshari Mantra being broadcast throughout the town on the public address system. This chant immediately calmed me down, especially when I  heard it at night. The moment was sinking in that I had arrived at Srisailam. 

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Wandering in Srisailam

The crowds of devotees are really substantial at Srisailam. To reduce the time required for the Darshan, I opted for the paid Darshan. This particular Darshan of Lord Mallikajurna and Maa Bramarambha takes place at 5 AM. I did a rough route check the previous evening to determine where to proceed towards the gate. This is important because I didn’t want to get confused in the morning. With gates and a range of security measures in place, it’s important to gain an overall understanding of the temple’s layout. 

Mallikajurna Jyotirling Srisailam Temple Layout

Lord Shiva Temple Srisailam

The temple complex at Srisailam shows the influence of the Vijayanagara period in its construction. The temple complex is quite vast, with an outer wall that connects all four gopurams. Gopurams are intricately carved, tower-like structures that also serve as the doorway into the temple complex.

The majestic Rajagopuram is the main entrance inside the Srisailam temple complex. The Gopuram has intricate carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. Every inch of the Gopuram has been sculpted with stories from mythology. The entire stone wall is pretty high and runs along the entire Tempe complex.

Once inside the temple complex, one is guided by administrative placed steel passages that lead the devotee through the maze of outer passages and rooms. To accommodate as many devotees as feasible at the same time for the darshan. 

Eventually, one reaches the entrance of the Nandi Mandapa. This is the main hall, supported by a network of pillars. Each of these pillars is intricately carved, narrating tales of history through its carvings. The sheer artistry is overwhelming. The roof of the Nandi Mandapa is covered with numerous Nandi sculptures facing all eight directions. At the very centre of the mandapa stands a huge sculpture of Nandi, gazing inward toward the inner sanctum. The inner sanctum wall has Lord Ganesh on one side. Thus, the devotee pays homage and seeks the blessings of Ganesha before he comes face to face with the jyotirlingam of Mallikajurna Swamy. 

Mallikajurna Jyotirling Srisailam

The inner sanctum is accessible after the Nandi Mandapa. Lord Mallikajurna is the presiding deity out here. Covered in flowers and finery, He is a sight to behold. The atmosphere at 530 AM was charged with spiritual energy, a stark contrast to the activity outside. The air was thick with incense, and the murmur of devotees was indeed.


I was told that one can enter the inner sanctum to touch the sacred Shivalingam; however, during my darshan, I did not find this possible. Maybe it is possible at some other time. The jyotirlingam was decked in flowers, and floral decorations adorned the inner sanctum. The light came from earthen lamps lit throughout the inner sanctum. In their glow, a mystical aura radiated outward. 

I got the opportunity to witness the morning Aarti, which, in itself, was a fortunate and spiritual event. The feeling of watching the spiritual lamp being offered to Mallikajurna Swamy, with the chanting of the mantras and the sound of the unique musical instruments, was a very powerful moment in my life. I stood there, to one side, watching the lingam, trying hard to capture the entire spectacle in my memory as I felt completely drawn into the moment by the place’s aura. 

After witnessing the morning Aarti, I  went towards the temple courtyard complex, which was adjacent to the Nandi mandapa. Here, there were numerous smaller shrines, including the iconic Sasharalinga. There is the century-old Triphala Vriksham. The other shrines include those of Rajarajeswara Swamy and Maa Rajarajeswara Devi, Veerabhadra Swamy, Lord Kartikeya, and the Princess Chandravati. 

What is my blog about?

My blog focuses on Indian culture, historical temples, and empires that have shaped India into what it is today. In addition to nature and offbeat destinations, this leaning towards the history and culture of our country is particularly important for all of us to imbibe and be conscious of. In this context, I would recommend visiting the Lepakshi Temple in Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, the region of interest is the temple circuit in Karnataka, which includes Hampi, Badami and Aihole. By the way, many of us would have visited Bhubuneshwar, but have you been able to explore the Aamra Kshetram out there?

About Srisailam Temple 

The Triphala Vriksham is the sacred tree of Srisaliam Temple and is a unique natural union of three distinct sacred trees: Raavi, Medi, and Juvvi. All three have intertwined and attained a single entity. 

The Sahasra Lingam in the temple complex is significant because it is believed to be more than 1000 years old and consecrated by Lord Rama himself. The lingam is a significant historical and spiritual aspect of the Srisailam temple complex. 

I wandered through the temple complex, especially this courtyard, visiting all the shrines and the various Lingams, including the special five Pandava Lingams representing the five elements of this creation. I would recommend everyone to take their time and visit all the remaining shrines in the courtyard as well. 

Once this was complete, I then visited the shrine of Maa Bramarambha, located within the main temple complex, slightly to the north-west of the Mallikarjuna sanctum. This dedication to the Goddess marks the completion of the spiritual power and aura os the site. 

The goddess was decked in all her finery, and morning prayers were in progress. The sight of her was all that I could have asked for from the entire visit to Srisailam. So peaceful, yet powerful, was the aura as one stood before her. 

The shrine of Maa Bramarambha is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peetha. Here, the goddess is worshipped as the Goddess of Bees. The body part of Maa Sati, namely her neck, is believed to have fallen here, making it a deeply spiritual site. 

Once this visit is complete, the exit path leads out of the temple complex. This will complete the visit to Srisailam Temple. 

What more to experience in the Spiritual Trip Guide to Mallikajurna Jyotirling Srisailam

Temples of Srisailam

Srisailam Ghanta Matam

Located about 100 Mts from the Srisailam temple complex, this Matam is an oasis of calm and tranquillity. It is a testament to the region’s rich historical and spiritual heritage.

One will find intricate carvings adorning the walls and a sense of divine well-being, especially in the inner sanctum of the main shrine. This Ghanta Martam has served as the focal point for numerous scholars and saints who have journeyed to Srisailam seeking inner knowledge and solace. 

The sacred space of the Ghatam seems to whisper tales of the past spiritual aura. The most cherished part of my visit to this Ghanta Matam was the opportunity to perform abhisekham on the Shivalingam. It left me with a profound sense of peace and fulfilment. 

Mallamma Kanneeru Temple

About 2km from the Srisailam temple complex, one comes to the Mallamma Kanneeru temple. A sacred spot, associated with the legend of Mallamma. She was a devoted woman who attained salvation through her unwavering faith in Swamy Mallikarjuna. 

Legends say that her tears (kanneru) formed a pond here, symbolising devotion and sacrifice. Pilgrims visit to honour her spiritual strength and seek blessings. This temple, to me, was a reminder of purity and faith. I  am reminded that devotion does not mean to sing praises, it means that I live for you, that I  took this birth for you – that is devotion. 

Rudraksha Matham

I  felt an immense peace in this Matham. Maybe it was to do with the place’s aloofness, the lack of visitors, and the silence that pervaded as one walked into the inner courtyard. 

Rudraksha Matham is one of the pancha Mathams; it is a highly spiritual part of Srisailam. The defining feature, aside from the energy levels, is the 7-foot-tall Maa Kali statue, which locals say holds great divine energy. 

This particular place will make you sit and draw you to meditate, truly connecting you with positive, deep-rooted spiritual energy.  Overall, *Rudraksha Matha* in Srisailam is a lesser-known yet meaningful stop for those seeking to deepen their spiritual journey in a historic and sacred place.

Sri Sakshi Ganapathi Swamy Temple.

The legends speak of Lord Ganapathi keeping a meticulous record of every devotee who visits the Mallikajurna Jyotirlinga, to present as “evidence” to Lord Shiva in Kailasha. It is said that a visit to Srisailam is incomplete without paying one’s respects to Lord Ganapathi. 

The Ganesh idol out here is depicted in a unique “scribe” pose. Carved from black stone, he is holding a manuscript in his left hand and a stylus in his right. The present temple was built in the 14th century over the older one. 

The temple is very modest and easy to visit. I visited the Sakshi Ganapathi Temple as I was exiting Srisailam, thus completing my visit to this holy site nestled in the Nalla Malla forests. 

Points for consideration during the Spiritual Trip Guide to Mallikajurna Jyotirling Srisailam

• Accommodation in Srisailam. My suggestion would be to book accommodation through the administration’s official website. Alternatively, one can book through (). I  chose this method, and my stay was surprisingly very good, with dinner and breakfast included. Please avoid reaching Srisailam without any prebooking. It can lead to a harrowing time. Hotels in Srisailam are limited and generally booked.
• Eating. There are numerous eateries in and around Nandi Circle, so one does not have to worry about eating options. But almost all are budget canteen concept eateries. 
• Darshan timings at Srisailam. here is the normal Darshan, which runs from 6-7 Am until around 9 PM; however, there are paid ticket Darshans that start even earlier. I  opted for the “ Athiseeghra Darshan(Alankara Darshan) which is scheduled for morning 0430/0500 AM. 
• Dress etiquette. Indian dress is preferred, while most Western attire and etiquette may not be permitted.
• Moving around.One can hire autos to move around, though I  would recommend a self vehicle if that option is available 
• Nearby places to visit in Srisailam include Akkamahadevi caves, the Srisailam dam viewpoint, and Hatakeswaram.
• Best time to visit.One can visit in the winter or spring. Even monsoons would be a good option; however, avoid peak summers. 
• How to reach Srisailam.Srisailam is accessible mostly from Hyderabad ( 230 km) and Kurnool ( 190 km) 
  

My thoughts on the Spiritual Trip to Mallikajurna Jyotirling Srisailam 

In conclusion, my visit to Andhra Pradesh Srisailam was nothing short of a spiritual pilgrimage. Its historical significance, architectural splendour, and tranquil ambience make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to delve into the rich tapestry of India’s spiritual heritage. I left with a profound sense of reverence and gratitude, carrying with me memories that will stay etched in my heart forever.