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

 9, April 2012

I had been to Srisailam on 5th and 6th of November 2011.(CLICK HERE ) After hearing 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 yathra went as per the schedule. Except Andhra Pradesh heat, I don’t find any difficulty. Post yathra trip worsened my health due to food and the hot climate. Otherwise it was an wonderful journey and experience. After landing 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 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 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 temples visit. Went to Sakshi Ganapati temple, Sikaram ( Darshan of 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 is a wonderful experience for me to touch and do the abhishekam. With great and wonderful  darshan, of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy left for local temples visit once again. This time we had been to Sankara Mutt ( Very near to the main temple ), Paladhara & Panchadhara ( It is believed that Aadhi Sankarar 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 shot 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 04.00 Hrs.

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

My dream of making this yathra once again on a day time has came to true. During this yathra, I had taken no of Photographs through my Mobile X 10 mini, 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 Elephant and spider ( In the latter birth he born as Chozha King, Chengat Chozhan and built may maada Temples where  elephant cannot enter in to the moolavar sanctum. ) worshiped Lord Shiva. 

May be relate to Srikalahasti also where Elephant and snake 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 ---