Jyotirlinga
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
A rare Shiva-Shakti confluence set in the Krishna river valley
At a glance
- Location
- Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
- Presiding deity
- Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (as Mallika and Arjuna)
- Temple type
- Jyotirlinga
- Tradition
- Shaiva
- Nearest railway station
- Markapur Road railway station (~85 km)
- Nearest airport
- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad (~220 km)
- Best time to visit
- September to February; a grand Brahmotsavam is celebrated here during Mahashivratri.
History
The Mallikarjuna temple at Srisailam is unusual in being both a Jyotirlinga (Shiva) and a Shakti Peeth (Goddess Bhramaramba) at the same site — a rare double distinction among Indian tirthas. Legend holds that Kartikeya retreated to the Krauncha hill after being upset over Ganesha's marriage; Shiva and Parvati followed to console him and chose to remain here forever as Mallikarjuna (Mallika for Parvati, Arjuna for Shiva). The present temple structure was substantially developed during the Vijayanagara era.
Spiritual significance
Srisailam is sometimes called the "Kailash of the South." It is one of the very few sites in India where a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peeth coexist in the same temple complex, making it equally sacred to both Shaiva and Shakta traditions.
Plan your visit
Darshan timings
4:30 AM to 10:00 PM, with a few short breaks during ritual worship periods.
Timings change on festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple's official source before you travel.
Markapur Road station connects to major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad; from there it's roughly a 2-hour bus or taxi ride to Srisailam. Direct state transport buses also run from Hyderabad and Kurnool.
Continue your Shiva bhakti
Devotional texts for this deity, already on the site.