Srisailam

(2th Jyothirlinga)
IPLTOURS

Srīśaila śṛṅge vividhaprasaṅge
Aeśhādriśṛṅgeapi sadā vasantam
Tamarjunaṃ mallikapūrvamenaṃ
Namāmi saṃsārasamudrasetum

Story behind the Twelve Jyotirlingas

Hinduism plays a significant role in human life from the eras Krutha, Thretha and Dwapara continuing in present Kali era. In the entire eras, God wears several incarnations to punish evil and to protect sages and his devotees. The demons get boons from Brahma, the creator and used to show their sadism on sages and devotees of God in all these eras. Vishnu and Shiva wear several incarnations to punish the evils and to protect sages and his devotees from their harassment. The places where Vishnu and Shiva wear incarnations spread all over India are came in to existence a holy places with the respective incarnation names. The holy places of Dwadasa Jyothirlingas spread from Kedarewar in north to Rameswaram in South and from Vaidhyanath in the east to Somanath of Gujarat in the West protecting our nation from times immemorial. The Dwadasa Jyothirlingas Spread all over India like a Conch.

The legend is that Vishnu and Brahma argued about supreme creation. Shiva prepared the three worlds as an endless Jyothirlinga pillar of light. Brahma decides to travel downwards along with the pillar and Vishnu to travel upwards respectively, to find the end of the light. Brahma lied that he had found the end, while Vishnu agreed his defeat. Shiva appeared as a second pillar of light and find the lie told by Brahma. Shiva got angry on Brahma and cursed Brahma him not to have place in ceremonies and Vishnu would be worshipped in eras. There are 64 Temples of Shiva and twelve only being called as Dwadasa Jyothirlingas and holy places of Shiva. Darshan of Dwadasha jyothirlingas feasible only on Spiritual culmination of human being. Every jyothirlingam became familiar with different names in the name of local shrine.

Srisaila Jyothirlingam is the Second among the Dwadasa Jyothirlingas. Mallikarjuna Jyothirlingam is glint on Flat land of the right peak of the Nallamala hills being called as Siridhan or Srigiri in Kurnool District. Mallikarjunga Swamy Temple of Srisailam is ancient and treated as most powerful Temple. Srisailam is well known as the holy Saiva Kshetram from years together.

Bramarambha Devi, one of the 18 Sakthi peetams also gives Dharsan in the temple premises of the holly Temple complex of Mallikarjuna Temple. The downstream of Krishna River being called as Patala Ganga at Srisailam is passing through a narrow valley to Nagarjuna Sagar and most beautiful at this place. Srisailam being called as Kailash of Earth and being maintained by the Endowments Department of Andhra Pradesh Government. Srisailam is at a distance of 150 to 160 km from Nandayal, Markapur and Kurnool Railway Stations.

There are plenty of Busses from all over the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States including outer states. There are Cottages and Rooms of Devastanam and other charitable institutions. There are free boarding facilities to all castes in the respective Countries. There is free local bus service of the Devastanam for local site seeing. There is online booking facility of accommodation and sevas.

Shri Mallikarjuna Jyothirlinga

Mallikarjuna is the Second among the 12 Jyothirlingas. The temple was constructed by Harirara Raya of Vijayanagara Dynasty. Brungi Maharshi worshipped Shiva, that Parvathi got angry on Brungi and ordered Brungi to stand for ever, that Shiva calm down Parvathi and blessed Brunghi with third leg for feasible standing. There is a statue of Brungi here with three legs. There are Nandi, Sahasra Linga and Nataraj Statues here. It is believed that all people irrespective gender of VIGRO Zodic sign visit Srisailam and worship the Mallikarjuna Jyothirlingam will be relieved from all their hurdles in life. Pilgrims may have Dhsrsan and Abhisekam from 3-30AM to 10 PM.

Srisailam Temple Timings & Places to visit Around Srisailam

Brahma, the creator created earth with Sakthi separated from Shiva and performed Yagna through his son Daksha Prajapathi to add Sakthi again with Shiva. Sakthi borne to Daksha as Sathi and want to marry Shiva. Shiva got angry on Brahma who saw Sarswathi in his presence and separated the fifth head of Brahma.

In order to get release from the curse, Shiva gone to Badarinath where the curse left him at Brahmakapalam. Daksha got angry on Shiva, since he separated the fifth head of his father Brahma and to get revenge on Shiva Dhaksha has not invited Shiva and Sati to the Yagna performed by him and invited all the other deities. Daksha insulted Sati and Sati committed suicide by entering into fire. Shiva taken the body of Sati on his shoulders and started Tandava Nrutyam wondering in the world. Vishnu cut the body of Sati into 51 pieces with his Sudharshana Chakra and the pieces fallen on the world in different places and the places named as Sakthi Peetams. Among the 51 Sakthi Peetams 18 became famous as Astadasa Sakthi peetams. Parvathi Devi Temple in the form of Bramarambika Temple is 12th among the 18 Sakthi peetams (Astadasa Sakthi Peetams) and it is said to be that the neck part of Sati fallen here.

Sri Bhramaramba Shakti Peeth Temple

Bramaramba temple is in the temple premises of Maalikarjuna Swamy Temple and worshipped as Brahmani Sakthi. The idol of the Murthy is with Eight arms. There is statue of Lopamudra wife of Agastya Maharshi in the interior temple. In the front portion of the interior temple there is Sri Yantram. There is legend that Arunasura performed yoga about Brahma and got boon without having death with two and four legged human being. Later he has harassed sages and devotees. The sages and Devotees prayed Maa Durga to safeguard them from the Asura. Maa Durga incarnated as Bramarambika and created thousands of six legged bees and Arunasura was killed by the bees. Till then Maa Durga incarnate as Bramarambika at Srisailam. The neck portion of Sati, wife of Lord Shiva felt here from her parts split into pieces with Sudarsana Chakra of Lord Vishnu after self sacrifice in Daksha Yagna due to abasement by Daksha and to prevent the world from the angry of Tandava Nrutyam by Lord Shiva. Kunkuma Archana Seva may be booked through on line.

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This temple kept open from 4-30AM to 10.00PM for various sevas. Every year Brahmotsavam will be conducted to Bramaramba on the next Friday followed Paurnima (Full Noon) of Chaitra Masam (Telugu Month).

Ista Kameswari Temple

Ista Kameswari Temple is existing at a distance of 21 km from Srisailam in a beautiful thick forest location. The way to reach the temple is not feasible since there is no road to reach the temple and the way existing in deep forest covered with stones. The journey to the temple having road of 12km in Srisailam Dornala Road and continue 10 km in the forest to travel by Jeep only. It is not feasible to travel in rainy season. There are wild animals in the thick forest and it is better to visit the temple from morning 9-00AM to evening 5-00PM. This ancient temple pertains to 8th to 9th century and pilgrims will be attracted to visit the Ista Kameswari Devi with beautiful smile.

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The Devi being treated as the incarnate of Devi Parvathi and the brow of the statue touches as human being though it was engraved with stone. There is no other temple in this nature and Goddess is in a small narrow room. Pilgrims will be permitted to put Sindhur on the brow of the Goddess after Dharsan and one should feel the experience. It is presumed that the wishes fulfill after Dharsan. Tigers are rove in this Tiger Reserved Forest and pilgrimage to this temple is prohibited from the last two years.

Pathala Ganga

Pathala Ganga is at a distance of 1 km from Mallikarjuna Temple in Srisailam. Pilgrims have to step down of 1000 steps to reach Krishna River known as Patala Ganga. Rope way was constructed to go to Patala Ganga and is now functioning which is feasible to elder people as well as Fun to Youth and Children. Pilgrims may take bath in Krishna River reaching the bathing Ghat at Pathala Ganga and boat stroll in Krishna river. Rope way permitted from 6AM to evening 5-30 with a charge of Rs.50/- for Adults and Rs.35/- to children. Boat Safari permitted in Krishna River from 9.00AM to 5.00PM. Ganga Harathi was performed at Pathala Ganga to Krishna River on 12-11-2019 Karthika Paurnima.

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Akkamamba Caves

Akkamamba Caves is the historical place to be visited in Srisailam. Pilgrims may reach Pathala Ganga by rope way or by steps and travel on Krishna River to reach Akkamamba Caves. The atmosphere is pleasant with greenery and pilgrims feel happy. The Caves called in the name of a nun Akka Maha Devi of 12th century. In the inner side of the Cave there is a statue of Lord Shiva.

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Srisailam Dam

The Srisailam Dam of 512 meters long and 145 meters depth attracts Pilgrims and every Pilgrim visit the Dam and enjoy the beautiful and pleasant nature at the Dam. The Dam primarily constructed in the year 1960 to generate power and expanded with 12 gates and 885 feet depth transformation into irrigation project in the year 1987. The beauty of the dam only should be seen at the time of lifting gates.

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Paladhara Panchadhara

The waterfalls Paladhara Panchadhara are at a distance of 4 km from Srisailam giving Variant air to our body with beautiful nature. Pahel means Forehead and Dhara means Flow since the flow twisted from the forehead of Shiva and it considered as Pahel Dhara and became as Paladhara. Pancha means five Dhara means flow since the flow twisted from the five heads of Lord Shiva it is considered as Panchadhara. It is considered that Sankaracharya stayed here for meditation and written Sivanandalahari, Bramaramba Astakam etc.

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Sakshi Ganapathi Temple

Sakshi Ganapathi temple is at the entrance of Srisailam on the road of Atmakuru to Srisailam. Evvery Pilgrim has to visit the temple after making Dharsan of Bramaramba and Mallikarjuna Deities. It is considered that Sakshi Ganapathi is the witness to the presence of the Pilgrims to Srisailam. Ganesh is the primary deity here. It is considered that Sakshi Ganapathi enrol the names of the Pilgrims visit Srisailam and show to Lord Shiva.

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Sikhara Dharsan

Shikareswara Temple is at the peak of a hill in Srisailam. Krishna River and its surrounding hills are visible from here in beautiful locations. Lord Shiva is well known as Shikareswara Swamy in this ancient temple. It is well known that Shikara Dharsan releases the pilgrims from all their sins. It is considered by seeing summit of Mallikarjuna Temple through the Nandi Status on the peak of the hill will release from all sins and the Soul of the devotee exhausts in Supreme Soul without resurrection.

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Hatakeswara Swamy Temple

Hatakeswara Swamy Temple is at the bottom of the Naallamala Hills at a distance of 5 km from Srisailam. Every Devotee comes to Srisailam will visit the ancient Hatakeswara Temple. There is mystic Shivalinga in this temple. The small temple having front elevation and inner temple with beautiful Architecture idols. It is believed that the Dharsan of this temple solve all body disorders and illness. It is believed that Adi Sankaracharya has written his book in this Hatakeswara Temple. Since Lord Shiva given vision in a pot here and the deity named as Atakeswar (Eswar in Pot) and later named as Hatakeswar. The temple open from 6-00AM to 9-00PM.