Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, India.

 9, April 2012

I had been to Srisailam on the 5th and 6th of November 2011. (CLICK HERE) After hearing about my experience, my friends (M/s Swaminathan, Srinivasamoorthy & Muthu  Arunachalam) also wanted to make a trip to Srisailam. This is my second trip to Srisailam on 7th and 8th April 2012. We had planned in advance and booked the train tickets up to Ongole. From there, we have decided to go by bus. The yatra went as per the schedule. Except for Andhra Pradesh's heat, I don’t find any difficulty. The Yathra trip worsened my health due to the food and the hot climate. Otherwise, it was a wonderful journey and experience. After landing at SriSailam around 11.30 Hrs,  left our bags at Pathaleswara Guest House ( Room rent Rs 800, which can be booked at Ganga Sadan near Temple ) and went to Pathala Ganga for a bath (Srisailam Dam). Down and up climbed by steps and our two friends came by rope car. After meals at the guest house restaurant, had taken a rest for 2 hours. Went for Deepa aarti darshan around 17.30 Hrs and had a good darshan of Lord Shiva Sri Mallikarjunaswamy.

 

East side 5 tier Rajagopuram 

After darshan came out of the temple around 19.00 Hrs and decided to go for the local temple visit. Went to Sakshi Ganapati temple, Sikaram ( Darshan of the main temple through the horns of Nandhi ), Kataheswaram, and Amman temple. Returned to room and taken rest up to 04.30 Hrs and assembled at Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple for abhishekam (Rs 1000 each). Around 7.00 Hrs allowed us to perform the abhishekam, which was a wonderful experience for me to touch and do the abhishekam. With a great and wonderful darshan, Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy left for a local temple visit once again. This time we went to Sankara Mutt (Very near to the main temple), Paladhara & Panchadhara (It is believed that Adi Sankara had composed the Soundarya Lahari and Sivantha Lakari at this place), Rudraksha mandapam, Mallamma Kanneeru. Since the time was up to come back to Chennai, we cut short our visit. Vacated the room and we started our return journey to Chennai around 11.30 Hrs, bus up to Ongole. Boarded the train around 20.00 Hrs at Ongole and reached Chennai early Monday morning at 04.00 Hrs.

It is observed that the construction of the temple and Rajagopurams are a mixture of South and North Indian architecture. The Rajagopuram is of South Indian ( Tamil Nadu ) type. But the Moolavar vimanam is of North Indian style. Instead of kalasam, we could notice a Trishul. There are two Dwajasthambas in front and back of the main shrine, this is to contain the power of the lord within the shrine (understood by the devotees ).

My dream of making this yatra once again in the daytime has come true. During this yatra, I took no Photographs through my Mobile X 10 mini, which are uploaded in this post.

HOW TO REACH : 

On the train route from Chennai to Kolkata, get down at Ongole and from there bus facility is available 

From major cities of Andhra Pradesh buses are available to SriSailam.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Temple web site http://srisailamonline.com/

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

DETAILS OF MY FIRST VISIT TO SRISAILAM: CLICK HERE

( Srisailam Dam )

 Dwarapalakas at the entrance of Temple Street)

  Dwarapalakas at the entrance of Temple Street)

From the Compound wall sculpture, we could able to relate the story of Thiruvanaikaval Temple, where the Elephant and spider (In the latter birth he was born as Chozha King, Chengat Chozhan and built may be maada Temples where elephant cannot enter into the Moolavar sanctum) worshiped Lord Shiva. 

This may be related to Srikalahasti also where Elephant and snakes worshiped Lord Shiva 

Gandaberunda,  Hoysala's symbol. This is not a man nor a bird

 ( West side rajagopuram )

( Muthu Arunachalam, Swamynathan, Srinivasamoorthy & Guide)

( Muthu Arunachalam, Self, Srinivasa Murthy, and the guide ) 

( Stucco Natarajar )

 ( Veena Dakshinamurthy with Sanatha Munivars which is rare )

 ( Somaskandar )

 --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---