Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

 

Moolavar: Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy

Amman: Sri Brahmaramba  

The only padal petra sthalam in the state of Andhra and one of the 12 Jyothirlings in India. The temple is at an altitude of over 1500 ft. above the Sea level in the picturesque natural environment in the Northern most part of the Nallamalas hill range. 

The Temple built in 14th Century and the walls are carved with depictions of elephants hunting scenes and Lord Shiva in different manifestations. Apart from the main temple there are other places like Sikhareswaram, the gates of Heaven, Hatakeswaram and PalaDhara – PanchaDhara, Sakshi Ganapathi, Sivaji spurthikendra, Pathala Ganga

When Shiva and Parvati decided to find suitable brides for their sons. Shiva got Buddhi (intellect), Siddhi (spiritual power), and Riddhi (prosperity) 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

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.The veerasheromandapam and paathalaganga steps was constructed during the time of Reddi Kingdom.

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 Rama and five other lingamsbelieved to have been commissioned by Pandavas. A mirror hall in the first precinct has images of Nataraja.