Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple, Srishaila

Address

Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple, Sri Shailam-518 100 (Tiru Parupatham), Andhra Pradesh. Phone: +91- 8524 – 288 881, 887, 888.

Diety

Mallikarjuna, Amman: Bramarambigai

Introduction

Mallikarjuna Temple (also simply known as Srisailam Temple), is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located at Srisailam in Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is significant to the Hindu sects of both Shaivam as this temple is referred to as one of the twelve Jyothirlingas of Lord Shiva. Shiva is worshiped as Mallikarjuna, and is represented by the lingam. The temple complex covers 2 hectares and houses four gateway towers known as gopurams. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls; the most notable is the Mukha Mandapa built during the Vijayanagar period. Thala Virutcham : Marudha tree Theertham : Pala river

Puranic Significance

Sage Siladha performed severe penance on Lord Shiva seeking child boon. Two sons were born to him, Nandhi and Parvathan. Sanakadhi Rishis called on the sage and said that Nandhi would live on earth only for a short while. Siladha fell in grief. Nandhi assured his father and said that he would win death by his penance on Lord Shiva. Pleased with his penance, Lord Shiva appeared and made him His vahan and also passed the order that devotees should come to Him only after being allowed by Nandhi. Nandhi’s place of penance is at the foot of the hills known as Nandiyal. His brother also performed penance of Lord and became a hill – Parvatha Hill

Beliefs

Prayers of devotees are many and varied. To realize their wishes, they perform wedding festival to Lord and Mother.

Special Features

Miracle Based: Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy. Chandra Gupta was the ruler of Mallikapuri region. His daughter Chandrarekha, a Shiva devotee was worshipping Lord with jasmine and Arjuna flowers available in the region, hence the name Mallikarjuna of Lord here. It is the faith of the Hindus that worshipping Nandhi Bhagwan during the Pradosha days even in small temples promises their wishes, the benefit of doing so at Srishailam, the very birth place of Nandhi is certainly manifold promising total salvation. Sri Shailam in Andhra Pradesh is one among the 12 Jyothilinga Sthalas. If Mount Kailash is the capital of Shiva sthalas, Sri Shailam occupies the second place. The holy land is third in rank among the 51 Shakti Peetas of Mother Uma. It is said that the benefits of offering lakhs of alms-Dhans at Kurukshetra, bathing 2000 times in holy Ganga, performing penance on the banks of Narmada, living thousand years in Kasi can be derived by worshipping Lord Mallikarjuna once in life time, declares Skanda Maha Purana. Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthi. This the birth place of Bhagwan Nandhi. This is the only Shiva temple in Andhra Pradesh praised Thevaram hymns. Srishailam is one among the 12 Jothirlinga Sthalas of Lord Shiva.