Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple Srisailam / ஸ்ரீ சைலம் மல்லிகாஜுனர் கோயில் / ஸ்ரீசைலம் மல்லிகாசுனேசுவரர் கோயில், திருப்பருப்பதம், Thiruparupatham, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh.

This is the 268th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 1^st  sthalam of Vada Nadu. This place was called as Parupatham during Thirugnanasambandar period and now called as Srisailam. This place was called as Thiruparupatha, Srisailam, Mallikarjuna Puram and Sriparpatham. This is one of the Three Jyotirlinga temple, on which Thevara hymns was sung by Moovar and also one of the Sakthi peetam.

In PeriyaPuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after visiting Gokarna. But Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Kalahasti.

கூற்று உதைத்தார் மகிழ்ந்த கோகரணம் பாடிக்

        குலவு திருப்பருப்பதத்தின் கொள்கைபாடி

ஏற்றின்மிசை வருவார் இந்திரன் தன்நீல

        பருப்பதமும் பாடிமற்று இறைவர் தானம்

போற்றியசொல் மலர்மாலை பிறவும் பாடிப்

        புகலியார் பெருந்தகையார் புனிதம் ஆகும்

நீற்றில் அணிகோலத்துத் தொண்டர்சூழ

        நெடிது மகிழ்ந்து அப்பதியில் நிலவுகின்றார்

..... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்

மான விஞ்சையர் வானநாடர்கள் வான் இயக்கர்கள் சித்தர்கள்

கான கின்னரர் பன்ன காதியர்காமசாரிகளே முதல்

ஞான மோனிகள் நாளும் நம்பரை வந்து இறைஞ்சி நலம் பெறும்

தானம் ஆன திருச்சிலம்பை வணங்கி வன் தமிழ் சாத்தினார்

.... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this Temple. Thirunavukkarasar  worshiped Lord Shiva while returning from Kailash. Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Sri Mahabaleshwar of Gokarna  and Sundarar has sung hymns on this temple from Kalahasti, without visiting the temples directly. Sundarar alone mentions this temple as Sriparpatham in Sanskrit.

சுடுமணி யுமிழ்நாகம் சூழ்தர அரைக்கசைத்தான்

இடுமணி எழிலானை ஏறலன் எருதேறி

விடமணி மிடறுடையான் மேவிய நெடுங்கோட்டுப்

படுமணி விடுசுடரார் பருப்பதம் பரவுதுமே

.... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்  

கன்றினார் புரங்கள் மூன்றும் கனலெரி யாகச் சீறி

நின்றதோர் உருவம் தன்னால் நீர்மையும் நிறையும் கொண்டு

ஒன்றியாங்கு உமையும் தாமும் ஊர்பலி தேர்ந்து பின்னும்

பன்றிப்பின் வேட ராகிப் பருப்பத நோக்கி னாரே

.... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

மானும்மரை இனமும்மயில் இனமும் கலந்து எங்கும்

தாமேமிக மேய்ந்துதடம் சுனைநீர்களைப் பருகிப்

பூமாமரம் உரிச்சிப்பொழில் ஊடேசென்று புக்குத்

தேமாம்பொழில் நீழல்துயில் சீபர்பத மலையே.

........சுந்தரர்

பாகியற்சொன் மங்கையொடும் பாங்கார் பருப்பததில்

போகியர்கள் ஏத்திட வாழ் ஒப்புரவே.

..... திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy.

Consort    : Sri Bramarambika Devi

Some of the salient features of this temple are....

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram on the banks of river Krishna also called as Patala ganga. The other three directions also has similar Rajagopurams built in dravidian architecture. This is one of the  12 JyotirLinga temples. A big Stone Nandi is in a mandapa on the east side.  Moolavar is just about 3 inches tall.

On the west prakara there are 6 sannidhis called Ashta Lingas, believed to be installed by Pandavas. In prakaram Annapoorani, Shanmugar, Sanagala Basavanna, Ratnagarbha Ganapathi, Mallikarjuna Swamy, Sudarshana Veerabhadra Swamy, Pancha Pandava worshiped Lingas, Jwala Veerabhadra Swamy, Kumara Swamy, Uma maheswara Swamy, Vrudha Mallikeshwara Swamy, Rama installed Sahasra Linga and Rajarajeswara Swamy.

Ambal is in a separate temple, a level above Shiva’s Temple with steps to climb. In Ambal temple sannidhis for Ardhanareeswara Devi ( Ardhanareeswara is in a separate temple in sitting posture on a lotus pedestal. The right upper hand holds Trishula and lower hand in abhaya hastam. The left upper hand holds lotus and lower hand in varada hastam. Lord Shiva’s head is shown as jatabara and Parvati’s side is shown with crown. Lord Shiva is wearing Yagnopaveetha and necklace, Parvati is wearing anklets and bangles ). Rajarajeswari, Saptamatrikas ( Brahmi, Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamundi ), Sahasra Linga installed by Sita, Bramarambika Devi and Lopamudra Devi.

There is no sannidhis for Nayanmars, Chandran, Suryan and Navagrahas.

The 15^th century Saint Arunagirinathar has hymns on Murugan of this temple. And he mentions this Srisailam as Thirumalai.

பரிவுடனழகிய பழமொடு கடலைகள்

        பயறொடு சிலவகை                                        பணியாரம்

பருகிடு பெருவயி றுடையவர் பழமொழி

        எழுதிய கணபதி                                                யிளையோனே

பெருமலை யுருவிட அடியவ ருருகிட

        பிணிகெட அருள்தரு                                      குமரேசா

பிடியொடு களிறுகள் நடையிட கலைதிறள்

        பிணையமர் திருமலை                                  பெருமாளே

The hill has 8 peaks called 1. Vaidurya Sikara ( வைடூரிய சிகரம் – Vitriol), 2. Manikka sikaram ( மாணிக்க சிகரம் – Diamond ), 3. Paravali Sikaram ( பரவாளி சிகரம் - ), 4.Brahma sikaram (பிரம்ம சிகரம்- ), 5 Raupiya Sikaram ( ரௌப்ய சிகரம்- ), 6. S. Shema Sikaram ( க்ஷேமா சிகரம் - ), 7. Maragatha Sikaram ( மரகத சிகரம் – Emerald ), and 8. Vajara Sikaram ( வஜ்ரசிகரம் ). There are 9 Nandis in this temple. They are Presiding Nandi, Naga Nandi, Vinayaka Nandi, Garuda Nandi, Shiva Nandi, Maha Nandi, Suriya Nandi, Vishnu Nandi and Soma Nandi. Similarly there are 9 Temples in the premises. They are Brahmeswaram, Varuneshwaram, Indrareshwaram, Janardaneshwaram, Saptakoteshwar, Kukudeshwaram, Hemeshwaram, Agneshwaram and Mosheshwaram.    

The Temples around SriSailam are Sakshi Ganapati Temple, Sikaram Temple, Bailu Veerabhadra Swamy temple, Arama Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Jata Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Angalamma temple, Pathaleshwara Temple, Kala Bhairava Temple, Nagalooty Veerabhadra Temple and Ishtakameshwari Temple. In addition to the above some more are Hatakeswaram ( Atikeswara ), Sikhareswaram, Hemareddy Mallamma, Gupta Mallikarjunam, Gogharbamu and Kadali Vanam.

Sakshi Ganapathi

ARCHITECTURE

In the main temple there are two Copper plated Dwajasthambas ( one at the back apart from front side ). The Moolavar Vimana is  Gold plate covered in steps and glitters from high mast light. There are 4 Rajagopuras constructed on all for directions. The east side the main entrance Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers called as Tripurantakam, western entrance is called as Alampuram, Northern entrance is called as Umamaheswaram and south entrance is called as Siddavatam. Also known as  Tripurantakam, Siddeswaram, Brahmeswaram, Maheshwaram are the names of these four gateways. This is in the form of sloga goes like this.... 

Jyotishcha Lakshitejascha Chaturdvareshu Shobhitam

Tripurasthaka siddesha brahmamaheshwarah vatyehi

Srisailasya Purvadvarei Tu Devo Tripurantakaha

There is a Trishul on the top of the moolavar Vimana instead of kalasam.  The prahara pillars are tooooo big. The temple is very big with beautiful sculptures / reliefs on the high stone outer walls. The sculptures includes the Various temples sthala purana like, Kalahasthi, Kanchipuram, Thirukadaiyur, etc,.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is not known the antiquity of the temple and it is believed to be 3000 years old. The temple history had connection with Gokarna Temple history.

As per Temple’s website Satavahanas are South India’s first dynasty, ruled this area Srisailam. Satakarni also known as Mallanna was the third King of Satavahana Dynasty, who was an ardent devotee of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy.

Sri Sattakarni’s 3^rd CE, inscriptions elsewhere, describes this place Srisailam as Chakora Shetagiri. After satavahanas, Ikshvaku Dynasty ruled Andhra Pradesh. They might have considers Srisailam as a holy destination. In the 6^th CE Kadamba Dynasty king Mayura sharma addressed Srisailam as Sri Parvatham ( It is believed that Kokarna Sri Mahabaleshwar temple was constructed by Mayura Sharma ).   

A King called Bruhaddhana with the help of Kadamba’s won the then Rulers Pallavas. They unified Sri Parvatham with the land they won over. In the dynasty of Badami Chalukyas, the ruler Pulikeshi constructed many temples and Known as the King of Temples. He was known to be the first Kshatriya king to receive the Shiva Deeksha.

During 735- 755 CE., Dantidurga, the ruler of Rashtrakuta Empire ruled in and around Sri Parvatam. During 980- 1058 CE, Kalyana Chalukyaraja Trayalikamalya Deva constructed the Vimana over the sanctum Sanctorum. In 1069 CE, his grandson donated a Village to this temple for Chatras and Dharamshalas. By the end of 11^th Century, Srisailam has earned the reputation of Maha Shiva Temple  and the home to the Vedas.

Rulers of the Hoysala Dynasty collected Crystal Shiva Lingas from Patalganga near Krishna river in Srisailam and constructed many Shiva temples. Since then Maharashtrians called Srisailam as Southern Kasi.  Prataparudra who hails from Kakatiya Dynasty Visited this temple with his Queen and wife, performed Tulabhara seva and got blessings of Lord Shiva and Ambal Bramarambika. 

The temple was renovated / expanded by the Reddy Rulers in 13^th Century. The great Devotee of Prolaya Vema Reddy, had donated a Village called Ramatheertham to this temple for the development. His son Anavema Reddy laid the steps for devotees who come from Patalganga. The Veerasrio Mandapa was constructed by him in memory of his ancestors. It is said that the great devotees used to offer their body parts to Lord Shiva to show their devotion. In 1405 CE, Katyavema Reddy laid steps to Srisailam and Pedakomati Vema Reddy laid steps to Patalganga.

Patalganga

In 14^th Century Vijayanagara Dynasty ruled this area. The Vijayanagara King Virupaksha Salupa Parvatayya donated many Villages to this temple. The Queen and wife of Hariharaya-II, Vitamba laid steps that leads to Patalganga. On one of the auspicious occasion of Shivaratri, Haritharaya-II, directed the construction of Main hall / maha mandapa. Sri Krishnadevaraya treated this Srisailam as a separate Kingdom and appointed his loyal Minister Chandrasekara as an administrator of Srisailam. 

The Krishnadevaraya’s minister Chandrasekara, has constructed a mandapas in the name of Krishnadevaraya and his uncle Dhemarasu. The South, East and west side Rajagopuras were constructed during Krishnadevaraya period. Northern Rajagopuram was constructed by Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji, who was ardent devotee of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bramarambika.

Śrīśailam copper plate grant of Anavōtā Reḍḍi of Reḍḍi's of Konḍavīḍu*. This set of copper plate, recovered recently during the course of renovation work in Ganṭa-maṭham at Śrīśailam, Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, was issued by the king Anavōtā Reḍḍi of Reḍḍi's of Konḍavīḍu.

It is written in Sanskrit and Telugu language and Telugu characters, dated Śaka 1279 Hēmalaṁbi, Māgha, ba. 14, Monday, which is equivalent to 1358 A.D., February 8, Thursday.

It records the gift of four villages Viz.,Mārkaṇḍavaraṁ, Siṅgapuraṁ and Basavapuraṁ in Mulūri sīma to the god Śrī Mahēśvaradēva of Śrīparvata by the King on the occasion of Mahāśivarātri for providing food offerings, conducting festivities and burning perpetual lamp. Further it registers the gift of a village Jīpur̥apalli in Char̥atoṇḍa-sthal̥a to the same deity by Nāganāyini.

( From Rajagopal Subbaiah Sir’s FB Post )

*Śrīśailam copper plate grant of Ibrāhim Khān*
This set of copper plate, recovered recently during the course of renovation work in Ghanṭā-maṭhaṁ at Śrīśailam, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, was issued by the king Ibrāhim Khān ruling from Kandanavōlu (Kurnool ).

It records the renewal of the grant to the priests of Śrīśailam and Mallēśvaram temples by the king, which was previously granted by the kings of Ūraṁgallu and Ānegundi for conducting festivities in the temples. Further he also gifted two villages , _viz._ Kaṭṭacheruvu and Nallakālva to the same priests of the two temples for providing food offerings and burning a perpetual lamp to the god Mallikārjuna of Śrīśailam.

Ibrāhim Khān treated the Hindus with great forbearance in religious matters. He has renewed several grants on the same terms on which they were previously enjoyed.

It is written in Telugu language and characters, dated Śaka 1624, Chitrabhānu, Māgha, śu. 5, Monday, which is equivalent to 1702 A.D., January 11.

*Śrīśailam copper plate grant of Siṅgabhūpa-I of R̥ēchar̥la chiefs*

This set of copper plate, recovered recently during the course of renovation work in Ganṭa-maṭham at Śrīśailam, Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, was issued by the king Siṅgabhūpa-I of R̥ēchar̥la chiefs.

It is written in Sanskrit and Telugu language and Telugu characters, dated Śaka 1269 Vyaya, Śrāvaṇa, śu. 15, Thursday, which is equivalent to 1347 A.D., August 2.

It records the remittance of custom duties payable on the 200 pack bullocks (per̥uka-ëḍlu) used in importing goods into the town of Śrīśailaṁ, to the god Mahēśvara of Śrīparvata by the king Siṅgabhūpa-I, son of Er̥adācha of R̥ēchar̥la chiefs.

( From Rajagopal Subbaiah Sir’s FB Post )

Notes from ASI Epigraphy wing Mysuru: ( From S. Rajagopal Subbiah's Post ). 
Śrīśailam copper plate grant of Mahādēva of Chaṁgālva dynasty*
This single copper plate, recovered recently during the course of renovation work in Ghanṭā-maṭhaṁ at Śrīśailam, Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, was issued by the king Mahādēva of Chaṁgālva dynasty ruling from Dvārakāpura (Haḷebīḍu),Karnataka.

It is written in Sanskrit language and Nāgarī characters, dated Śaka 1419, Piṁgala, Phālguṇa, i.e. 1497 CE.

It gives the genealogy of the Chaṁgālva dynasty as below: Chaṁgālva, his son Nāgadēva, his son Raṁga, his son Piryaṇa, his sons Naṁja and Mahādēva.

It records the grant of the village Kommalāpuraṁ to the god Māhēśvara by the king for the maintenance of a choultry at Śrīśailam.

LEGENDS

As per the legend Silada, Maharishi did a penance on Lord Shiva for Child boon. Satisfied with the penance Lord Shiva blessed him with two Sons. Silada Maharishi named them as Nandi and Parvat. Even at the young age Silada Maharishi taught all Vedas and they had become the  ardent devotees of Lord Shiva. After attained certain age Parvat did a Penance on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva with Parvati appeared and blessed him. When Lord Shiva asked what he wants, Parvat requested Lord Shiva to convert him as a Hill ( Parvat ) similar to Mount Kailash, with all the Devas, holy water bodies, 9 holy Rivers, munis, Rishis, plants, trees and on the top a temple where Lord Shiva with Parvati to reside. Lord Shiva appreciated his boon and told that nobody had asked such a boon and granted him as he wished. Since then this hill was called as Sri Parvatham, Srinagam, Srisailam, Srigiri etc,. Finally Lord Shiva agreed to stay with Parvati. From then onwards this temple is considered as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples  to bless his devotees who climbed on this Parvat chanting the mantra “om Namah Shivaya”.

This legend is associated with ma Parvati as Sri Bramarambika Devi. The Skanda Purana describes origin of this temple in Srisaila Kandam. Once the Demon Arunasura did a penance on ma Gayatri Devi fo getting a boon of immortality. Appreciating his penance ma Gayatri told that, she cannot give such boon, but directed him to Brahma. So the Demon Arunasura did a penance of Brahma. Satisfied with his devotion, Brahma asked Arunasura, what he wants?. When he asked the boon of immortality, Brahma said he cannot give such a boon, since it was against the principles of this universe, so he was asked for another boon. Now after a deep thought Arunasura asked Brahma that he should not be killed by a living things with 2 or 4 legs. Brahma gave this boon. After getting the boon Arunasura thought he cannot be killed by anybody and started terrorising the Devas. Unbearable Devas, requested Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati to save them from the Demon. For their request Ma Parvati took the form of Bee and Killed him. The Devas requested ma to chose a place to stay bless all her Devotees. Ma  Parvati as Bramarambika had chosen this Srisailam and Stayed here itself.   

Once ma Parvati asked Lord Shiva, about the most desired place apart from Kailash, in the universe that he created. Lord Shiva had chosen Srisailam with picturesque nature, avatar of Sri Chakra, Srisailam on this earth. Srisailam is the 2^nd  of the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples and 6^th of the 18 Shakti peethas of ma Bramarambika. This is the only temple on the earth with Jyotirlinga Shiva Temple and Sakthi peedam together. Srisailam was called in different names like, Srigiri, Sri Parvatham and Srinagam.

Lord Shiva and Ambal  of this temple was worshiped by Narasimhaswamy in Satya yuga, Rama with Sita worshiped in Treta Yuga, All 5 Pandavas worshiped in Dwapara Yuga and Yogis, Rishis, Maharishis, Preachers, Spiritual teachers, Kings, Poets worshiped in this kaliyuga.  

It is believed by the Locals that long ago Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy went for hunting in the forest. A Local Girl fell in love with God and latter married in presence of the Locals. Ever since the locals considers Lord Shiva Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy as their own Son-in-law and called as Chenchu Mallanna and Chenchu Mallayya.  

The combination of three trees Methi, Ravi and Juvi are called as a Thiripala. Thathathreyar did a penance under this tree, hence this tree is called as Thathathreya Vruksham. This is near the Vrutha Mallikeshwara Swamy temple ( also there is an old tree called kara Veeram )

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas Abhishekams and Homas are conducted and the various tariffs are mentioned in the Web site. The Devotees can perform Abhishekam to Lord mallikarjuna by their hands. The various abhishek and homas are, Abhishekam in the sanctum sanctorum, Vrudha Mallikarjuna Swamy abhishekam, Laksha Bilvarchana, Mahanyasa Purvaka Rudrabhishekam, Kumkuma pooja ( Sri Chakram ) Kumkuma pooja ar Ashirvachanam mandapam, Laksha kumkumarchana, Rudra Homam, Chandi Homam, Kalyanotsavam, Ekanta seva, Ganapati Homam, Valli Devasena Subramanya Swamy Kalyanam and Rudrabhishekam

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in a grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 15.30 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 22 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS  

Temple web site https://www.srisailadevasthanam.org/en-in/home

The Mobile numbers  +918333901351, +918333901352, +918333901353, +918333901354, +918333901355 and +918333901356 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH  

Andhra Pradesh Transport buses available from major cities of Andhra Pradesh. 

On the Train Route from Chennai to Kolkata, get down at Ongole and reach Srisailam by bus. From Ongole to Srisailam by bus via Markapur also possible.  

The temple is about 174 KM from Ongole, 181 KM from Kurnool, 213 KM from Hyderabad, 476 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Ongole.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

                                    Kalahasti Sthala Purana

Kalahasti Sthala Purana

 Kanchipuram Sri Ekambareswarar Temple Sthala Purana

Thirukadaiyur Sthala purana

 Sarabeswarar  

Mahishamardini

Gandaberunda

Pasupatheeswarar

Last 5 Photos PC Website

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---