shaiva · Andhra Pradesh

Srisailam Mallikarjuna

श्रीशैल मल्लिकार्जुन

Presiding deity: Lord Mallikarjuna (Shiva — 2nd Jyotirlinga) + Devi Bhramaramba (Shakti Peeth — 1 of 18 Mahashaktis)

Established: Pre-Vedic swayambhu site; current temple structures expanded from 2nd century CE through Vijayanagara era

Darshan timings

04:30–13:00, 15:30–22:00 IST

Average wait

1–4 hours general; 30–60 mins (Atisheeghra Darshan ₹500); 15 mins (VIP break ₹1500)

Best season

October–March; avoid April–June peak heat (40°C+) and July–September monsoon

Daily visitors

20,000–35,000 (peak: 500,000+ over Maha Shivaratri Brahmotsavam 11 days)

Significance

Rare dual-divine site — 2nd of 12 Jyotirlingas (Mallikarjuna) AND 1 of 18 Maha Shakti Peeths (Bhramaramba, where Sati's upper teeth fell) co-located. Mentioned as "Kailasa of the South" in Mahabharata, Skanda Purana.

Legend

Kartikeya, sulking over a fruit-contest loss to Ganesha, left Kailasa for Krauncha mountain. Shiva and Parvati followed as Mallikarjuna (Mallika = jasmine, Arjuna = white pure) and Bhramaramba (Bhramara = bee form taken to slay demon Mahishasura's general Arunasura). Reunion site became Srisailam.

How to reach

Srisailam town atop Nallamala hills on banks of Krishna river. From Hyderabad (215 km, 5 hr) via Mannanur; from Kurnool (180 km) via Atmakur. Hill road through Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve.

Nearest airport: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad (HYD) — 215 km; Kurnool (KJB) — 180 km

Nearest railway: Markapur Road (MRK) — 85 km; Cumbum (CBM) — 95 km

Where to stay

Devasthanam-run Ganga Sadan, Maha Mandapam, Pathala Ganga guesthouses (book on srisailamonline.com); APTDC Haritha; private lodges in temple town

Primary pujas performed here

Mahanyasa Rudrabhishek
Bhramaramba Chandi Homa
Pallaki Seva
Maha Mangala Aarti
Sankalpa Archana

What to offer: Bel patra, jasmine (mallika — gives the deity his name), kumkum, vibhuti, milk, Krishna river water

Dress code

Traditional — men dhoti+angavastram bare-chest inside sanctum; women saree or salwar

Photo policy

Banned inside both Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba sanctums; permitted in prakara and Pathala Ganga

Modern access

Annual footfall 8M+. Maha Shivaratri Brahmotsavam draws 500,000+ over 11 days. Srisailam Dam + tiger reserve add eco-tourism layer. Ropeway to Pathala Ganga (Krishna river) commissioned 2022. Free meals (Annadanam) served to 25,000+ daily.

✓ Online booking available✓ VIP darshan available

Nearby tirthas

Pathala Ganga ghat (Krishna)
Sakshi Ganapati
Hatakeshwaram
Mahanandi (115 km)
Yaganti Uma Maheswara (140 km)
Ahobilam Narasimha (160 km)