High medieval · Hindu · India

Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam

శ్రీ భ్రమరాంబ మల్లికార్జున స్వామి ఆలయం, శ్రీశైలం

Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh · 16.0740°, 78.8687°

Shiva (Mallikarjuna) & Bhramaramba DeviVijayanagaraDravidaJyotirlingaMaha Shakti PeethaPaadal Petra SthalamShakti Peetha

Sacred since

100 CE

Referred to in Satavahana-era literature

Standing structure

core medieval; walls 15th c. (Reddi/Vijayanagara)

Vijayanagara

History & significance

Uniquely both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha in one hilltop complex above the Krishna gorge in the Nallamala forests — making Srisailam one of the most complete pilgrimages in the Shaiva-Shakta world. Chhatrapati Shivaji endowed a gopuram here in 1674; open to all castes historically, a rarity noted for centuries.

Sthala katha — the legend

When Kartikeya withdrew to Krauncha mountain after losing the fruit-of-wisdom contest, Shiva and Parvati came to console him, dwelling here as Arjuna-of-the-jasmine (Mallika-Arjuna) and the bee-goddess Bhramaramba who hums behind the shrine still.