Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam

Coordinates: 16°04′27″N 78°52′05″E / 16.07417°N 78.86806°E / 16.07417; 78.86806
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
)

Sri Bhramarambika Mallikarjuna Temple
Gold plated Vimana of Mallikarjuna shrine
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictNandyal
DeityShiva, Parvati
FestivalsMaha Shivaratri
Location
LocationSrisailam
StateAndhra Pradesh
CountryIndia
Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam is located in Andhra Pradesh
Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam
Location in Andhra Pradesh
Geographic coordinates16°04′27″N 78°52′05″E / 16.07417°N 78.86806°E / 16.07417; 78.86806
Temple(s)1
Website
Official Website

Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple (

Indian state of Andhra Pradesh
.

It is significant to the Hindu sects of both

Shakti Pithas, centres of the Hindu Goddess.[1] Shiva is worshiped as Mallikarjuna, and is represented by the lingam
. His consort Parvati is depicted as Bhramaramba.

Legend

When Shiva and Parvati decided to find suitable brides for their sons. Shiva got Buddhi (intellect) and Siddhi (spiritual power) married to Ganesha. Kartikeya on his return was enraged and went away to stay alone on Mount Krauncha in Palani in the name of Kumara brahmachari. On seeing his father coming over to pacify him, he tried to move to another place, but on the request of the Devas, stayed close by. The place where Shiva and Parvati stayed came to be known as Srisailam.[2]

As per

Linga (an iconic form of Shiva) was worshipped with jasmine (locally called in Telugu as Mallika), leading to the name of presiding deity as Mallikarjuna.[3]

Mahashivaratri is the main festival celebrated at Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy temple.

History

There are inscriptional evidence from the Satavahana dynasty which place the temple to be existent from the 2nd century. Most modern additions were done during the time of king Harihara I of Vijayanagara Empire.[3] The veerasheromandapam and paathalaganga steps was constructed during the time of Reddi Kingdom.

Architecture

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
. The temple is situated facing East. The center mandapam has several pillars, with a huge idol of Nadikeshwara. The temple is enclosed by tall walls measuring 183 m (600 ft) by 152 m (499 ft) and 8.5 m (28 ft) tall. There are a number of sculptures in the precinct each rising above another. The Mukamandapa, the hall leading to the sanctum, has intricately sculpted pillars. The shrine where Mallikarjuna is housed is considered the oldest in the temple, dating back to the 7th century. There is a Sahasra linga (1000 linga), believed to have been commissioned by
Pandavas. A mirror hall in the first precinct has images of Nataraja.[3]

Administration

The temple is maintained and administered by government of Andhra Pradesh.[3]

The nearest railway station are Markapur is 85 km, Nandyal and Kurnool are the places the distance is 180 km. The most convenient way is to take a bus or taxi from Hyderabad. Temple committee cottages and dharamshalas are available here.

Religious significance

Shiva in this temple is referred to as one of the twelve

Shakti peethas. This temple is classified as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam
.

On the way to the main temple is located Shikhareshwaram temple. It is said that by having darshan in the temple one does not get rebirth.

Krishna River here is called Patal Ganga. One has to go down 852 stairs to reach the river. The Shiva Linga is bathed with the water of this river.

Jyotirlinga

As per

Aurangabad in Maharashtra.[4][10]

Shakti Pitha

Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is one of the 18

Sati Devi and making Shiva a householder. This mythology is the story behind the origin of Shakti Pithas. They are holy abodes of Adiparashakti
formed due to the falling of Sati Devi's corpse when Shiva carried it and wandered. It is believed that Sati Devi's Upper lip has fallen here.

Festivals and rituals

Maha Shivaratri is the most important festival here, along with Dasara Sarannavartrulu.[citation needed]

Connectivity

Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is located around 180 kilometers from the

Giddalur railway station that is 139 kilometers from the temple.[11]

Nearest Railway Station: Markapur

Nearest Airport: Kurnool

Citations

  1. ^ "Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamyvarla Devasthanam". Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
  2. ISBN 978-0-8239-3179-8
    . mallikarjuna jyotirlinga.
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-81-7907-053-6
    .
  4. ^ a b c R. 2003, pp. 92-95
  5. ^ Eck 1999, p. 107
  6. ^ See: Gwynne 2008, Section on Char Dham
  7. ^ a b Lochtefeld 2002, pp. 324-325
  8. ^ Harding 1998, pp. 158-158
  9. ^ Vivekananda Vol. 4
  10. ^ Chaturvedi 2006, pp. 58-72
  11. ^ "Nearest Railway Station to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga". NearestRailwayStation.com.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mallikarjuna_Temple,_Srisailam&oldid=1216108105"