Vruddha Mallikarjuna Temple
(IPLTOURS)
The Vruddha Mallikarjun Temple is located north to the Administrative office and to the right of the Bramaramba Peeth. The Shiva Ling is covered with close wrinkles. There is no evidence as to when this Shiva Ling was emerged in the shrine. According to a local legend, the beautiful daughter of king Mahidhar seduced Lord Shiva. She desired a husband like Shiva. She had a dream and Lord Shiva told her that he was at a jasmine bush under a white maple tree on the Srigiri mountain and he would marry her on her arrival to that place. The princess came to the place mentioned by Lord Shiva and searched for him. Goddess Parvati misunderstood Lord Shiva and asked about his seduce on the princess. Then Lord Shiva told to Parvathi that the Princess worshiped him with devotion and marriage means uniting her within him. Parvati asked to show the devotion in worship of the princess. Lord Shiva immediately turned into old man and went to the princess. He asked for whom she is searching.
The princess replied that she was looking for Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva told that he is Shiva. He asked her will she marry an old man. The princess says that she will not accept someone else as her husband as she will marry the old man because her desire is united in Shiva. Lord Shiva praised the princess for her devotion and told to Parvati that he is uniting the princess in him. Legend is that the Vruddha Mallikarjun appeared to the devotion of the princess said that he would look after the welfare of those who worshiped him and emerged as Vruddha Mallikarjun linga. In the Mallikarjuna Temple complex, there are five Shiva Linga revered by the five pandav during their stay in the forest. There is a large tree called Triphala in the temple premises. It is a tree that grows together with mead, juvi and ravi. The tree lived for four thousand years. Triphala tree of Bhramaramba Devi is located near Vruddha Mallikarjun temple.
