Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna (Jyotirlinga) Temple , Andhra Pradesh

Address

Sri Mallikarjuna Temple , Srisailam, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh-518101

Diety

Mallikarjuna

Introduction

Thirupparuppadam ( Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple ) (Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga) is one of the northern sites where Thevara songs were sung . It Sambandar , Upper , Sundarar all three of the destination song. It is located on the Nallamalai Hills in the Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh . Also known as Srisailam , it is located 232 km from Hyderabad on the banks of the River Krishna . It was set up for Mallikarjuna Swami. Lord Nandi DevarThe myth is that he received the power to repent and bear the Lord. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga lingamse Brahmarambika Ambal Sanctuary is also revered as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and 18 Maha Shakti Peethas where the neck of the Goddess falls.Srisailam is mentioned in the Mahabharata and Puranas. There is a chapter in the Kanda Purana called Sirisila Kandam. This is a testament to the very ancient appearance of the temple. Also, the temple was sung by Tamil Nayans who lived in the 7th – 9th centuries AD . It is said that Adisankar came here and wrote his Sanskrit book Sivananda Lakari here . Chhatrapati Shivaji, the Maratha kingAn Ambal devotee, he worshiped Ambika and used the sword he received from him to destroy his enemies and establish his dharma kingdom. The sword that gave Brahmarambika to Veera Shivaji is still preserved today.

Puranic Significance

When Kumar Kartikeya returned to Kailash after completing his trip around the earth, he heard about Ganesha’s marriage from Narada. This angered him. In spite of being restrained by his parents, he touched their feet in obeisance and left for Krounch Mountain. Parvati was very distraught at having to be away from her son, implored Lord Shiva to look for their son. Together, they went to Kumara. But, Kumara went away a further three Yojanas, after learning about his parents coming after him to Krouncha Mountain. Before embarking on a further search for their son on each mountain, they decided to leave a light on every mountain they visited. From that day, that place came to be known as JyotirLinga Mallikarjuna. It is believed that Shiva and Parvati visit this palce on Amavasya (No moon day) and (full Moon day) Pournami, respectively. Visiting this JyotirLinag not only blesses one with innumerable wealth, but also name and fame and fulfils all the desires. Once, a princess named Chandravati decided to go to the Jungles to do penance and meditation. She chose Kadali Vana for this purpose. One day, she witnessed a miracle. A Kapila cow was standing under a Bilwa tree and milk was flowing from all of its four udders, sinking into the ground. The cow kept doing this as a routine chore everyday. Chandravati dug up that area and was dumb founded at what she saw. There was a self-raising Swyambhu SivaLinga. It was bright and shining like the sun rays, and looked like it was burning, throwing flames in all directions. Chandravati prayed to Siva in this JyotirLinga. She built a huge Shiva Temple there. Lord Shankara was very pleased with her. Chandravati went to Kailash wind borne. She received salvation and Mukti. On one of the stone-inscriptions of the temple, Chandravati’s story can be seen carved out.

Special Features

The temple is 20 feet high and has 2121 feet long fortified walls. On the outside of this wall are numerous carvings on all four sides. These include horses, elephants, camels, battle scenes, Parvati’s marriage, Arsunan penance, Chandravathi story, Markandeyan story, Datsan’s Yagam, Sivathandavam, Kajasura Samkaram, Sibisakravarti story, God and Asura crossing the ocean of milk, Kannabpar story, Maheswaraparu Visu. There are four towers on the four sides of the temple. The eastern tower is named after Krishnadevarayar as it was built by Krishnadevarayar. The north tower is known as Shivaji Tower as it was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1677. The western tower was built by the temple administration in 1966 and was named as Brahmanandaraya Tower. At the center of these is the Mallikarsunar sanctuary. The aircraft is said to have been built by Mylamma Devi , the sister of Ganapati , the Kakatiya king, according to his inscription. The Mallikarsunar Sannidhi is to the west of the Chandramamba Sannidhi and the Rajarajeswari Sannidhi to the east