Malikarjuna Jyotirling
Timing of Temple
- Morning: 4.30 AM to 3.30 PM
Evening: 4.30 PM to 10.00 PM - The below-mentioned timings are applicable only on Monday :
Suprabhatam – 4.00 AM
Harathi – 5.00 AM
Abhishekam – 5.30 AM
Darshnam – 5.30 AM
Architecture
The Malikarjuna temple has fort-like towers, walls, and a rich foundation of sculptural work. The huge temple is built in the Dravidian style with towering towers and sprawling gardens and is considered to be one of the finest remembrances of Vijayanagar architecture.
History
Many rulers gave a hand to the building and maintenance of the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple. The first documentation emerged in 1 AD in the books of the Shathavahanas empire builders.
Eventually, Ikshvakus, Chalukyas, Pallavas, and Reddis, also the followers of the Mallikarjuna Swami, lend a hand for the contribution to the temple. The Vijayanagara Empire and Chhatrapati Shivaji individually worked towards improving the shrine and temple (building the gopuram in 1667 AD).
Worship was stopped here during the Mughal rule and the temple was destroyed in the ages of Nizam but resumed during the British rule. However, it was only after independence that this temple became well known.
Religious Significance
In this temple, Bhagwan Shiva is mentioned as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. This temple is known as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam. It is believed that having darshan in this temple brings wealth and fame.
On the way to the main temple, there is a temple known as the Shikreshwar temple. It is believed that by worshiping in the temple one attains moksha.
Here Patal Ganga is named after Krishna River. Devotees have to go down 852 stairs to reach the river. Shiva Linga is bathed through this river water.
Legend
Bhagwan Shiva and his consort Mata Parvati decided that their sons Ganesha or Kartikeya should get married but could not make up their mind as to which of them should get married first. So, to determine who would be first, they decided to set a contest for the two: whoever would go travel around the world first would be the winner. Kartikeya instantly embarked on his mount, the peacock. On the other hand, Ganesha encircled his parents and said that they were the world to him. It is said that encircling one’s parents is identical to going around the world. So, he outmaneuvered his brother and won the race. This pleased Prabhu Shiva and Mata Parvati and they married their son off to Siddhi (spiritual powers) and Riddhi (prosperity). Some legends also say that Buddhi (intellect) is believed to be his wife too.
When Kartikeya returned and heard about this, he became upset and decided that he would not marry. (However, in some Tamil legends he is said to have two wives.) He left and went to live in Mount Krauncha. Bhagwan Shiva and Mata Parvati visited him there and since then it is considered a holy place. The shrine there has a linga for Shiva and a Shakti Peetha for Parvati.
How to reach ?
By Train: There is no direct train connectivity to Srisailam. The nearest railway station to Srisailam is in Cumbum district. The Srisailam nearest Railway Station name is Markapur Railway Station. The distance between Markapur railway station and Srisailam is approximately 60 km. One can get regular passenger trains and express trains from Cumbum railway station to Srisailam. Srisailam Nearest Station: Markapur Railway Station (62 km)
By Air: The nearest airport from Srisailam is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The distance between Hyderabad Airport and Srisailam is 137 km. The Srisailam Airport is well connected to many major cities like Jaipur, Jammu, Delhi, Goa, Indore, Madurai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Chennai and Mumbai via Indigo, Jet Airways, Air India, Jet Konnect and SpiceJet. Srisailam Nearest Airport: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad
