PLACES OF INTREST

Srisailam is the spiritual station which contains 8 gateways to the sides & corners of Srisailam. Every inch of the surroundings of Srisailam has its unique and sacredness. It is clearly revealed in Puranas, inscriptions and other sources available in this area. It has a very vast circumference, comprising of thousands of temples, streams(Teerthas) with portraits of Gods / goddesses stationed here. Of all these, some are in dilapidated condition, some have demised and some got extinct in due course of time. Srisailam is in thick and dense forest of Nallamalla. Even today, most of the places are out of common man’s reach due to lack of proper information on the accessibility. Because of this the devotees of lord Shiva are not able to visit these places.

In this vast Kshetra, besides the main temple of Sri Mallikarjuna swamy temple and Sri Bramaramba temple, every step land on here gives a feeling of sanctity to the devotees. Even though thousands of places are here to see, a few places are being brought before you. It is our intention to explain about Srisailam accessories as one of the devotees of lord Shiva.

Mallikarjuna Swamy temple:

1.Vrudhamallikarjuna Swamy: This lingam is said to be older than the present Mallikarjuna Swamy Lingam. There is no Nandi (Bull, vechicle of Lord) in front of it. The Lingam is uneven on its outer face which indicates the old age of Lord Shiva which was prayed by Chandravathi. Hence it is called Vrudhamallikarjuna Swamy.

2. Ardhanareeswar: This idol is in the northern side of the main temple. This is the oldest idol. Details and period of the idol remains unknown yet.

3. Lingas incarnated by Pandavas: Five temples are situated besides Arthanaareseswara temple. These were incarnated by Pandavas according to the historic sources.

4. Mallika Gundam: (Mallika water point): According to the Hindu mythology, this Gundam was part and parcel of Saraswathi river, which flows beneath the Krishna river. The river Saraswathi is called ‘Antaarvahine’ which means it is flowing beneath the river Krishna. Many devotees used this Mallika Gundam water to heal their diseases. Another important thing is, the shade of the gopuram (monumental tower) of Mallikarjuna swamy’s temple is being reflected in this ‘Gundam’.

5. Veerabhadra Swamy Temple: This idol is in temple and having North face. He is guarding the Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy always.

6. Sanagalabasavanna: It is situated in front of the Veerasiro mandapam. It is known as “Nandi mandapam”. This Nandi is called Nandeeswara (Baswanna). Kannadigulu call this as ‘Chennu kallu Basawanna”.

7. Addala(Mirror) Mandapam: Place for Swamy where he takes rest during nights called as pavalimpu seva.

8. Tri fruit tree (Triphala uruksham): Juvvi (white fruited wavy leaf fig tree), Raavi (Sacred Fig or Bo-Tree), and Medi (Cluster Fig Tree) plants together become grown as one tree. It was said that Acharya Nagarjuna and others performed deeksha under this tree. One superstition was there, that couples who had no children, simply they circumambulated the tree (walking round the tree) to get children(santanam) in coming years.

9. Nityakalyana mandapam(marriage hall): This is to the south west of temple where daily Kalyanam (Marriage) of the Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bramarambika ammawaru is perfomed in the eveninings.

10. Sri Rama and Sita Devi’s sahasralingams: Shahasra meaning thousand. Sahasra linga means 1000 Lingas carved in one linga. Sri Rama linga is situated in Swamy’s temple whereas the one installed by Sita Devi is in Ammavari temple.

Bramaramba devi temple:

The main temple of Bramaramba devi, the first of Asthadasa Maha Sakthi Peethas is the one with fabulous sculptures. You can hear a kind of BEE FLY’s whizzing (Bhramara means Bee Fly) behind the main temple.

1 .Lopa mudra: Lopa mura shapes of Agasya Maharshi wife are only seen in Srisailam. We can see them in sala mandapam of devi temple.

Places of interest in and around Srisailam

1. SakshiGanapathi: It is just 1.5 miles away from Srisailam. According to the Hindu Mythology, it is believed that the details of devotees visiting Srisailam will be recorded by him and provided as witness to Lord Shiva. That way he is called Sakshi (withness) Ganapathi.

2. Vitalesvara temple: In 14 century AD, Vitalamba wife of Harihararaya II laid steps to Paatalaganga and this temple was built. This temple is rich in sculpture. The deity residing here is called Vitalesvara Swamy.

3. Shivaji spurthi kendram: Once Chatrapati Shivaji has visited the Srisailam and resided here for some time. He had built northern shrine. In front of it, he built a small mandapa and used to live there. Now it has been collapsed. Adjecent to that a well architected modern building has been constructed in the name Shivaji spurthi kendram. A life size idol of Shivaji can be seen in the building which stands as an inspiration to everyone.

4. Hatakeswaram: It is about 5 km from Srisailam. ‘Hataka’ means gold. Lord Shiva killed Tripurasura by making Meruparvatham as bow and arrow. Here, Shiva has been worshipped in golden Lingam shape. Hence it is being called as Hatakeswaram. In front of the temple, a water pond of over 150 ft area can be witnessed. It is called Hatekeswara theertham. It is believed that devotees who dip here (bath) and drink water in paladhara-Panchadhara, fulfill their desires.

5. Paladhara-Panchadhara: It is about 200 meters from Hatakeswaram. Paladhara-Water steams flows continuously. It originates and flows 6 meters and demise there itself. It exists throughout the year irrespective of any season. It is called Paladhara because it is believed that this was originated from the forehead of Lord Shiva. Panchadhara- it is originated from 5 faces of Lord Shiva viz Satyojatha, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpursha and Esana. Water is of medicinal values, devotees carry water from here in order to cure their diseases. Sanctity of these dharas: by bathing in Hatakeswaram and drinking water in Paladhara and Panchadhara, devotees’ desires will be fulfulled. The book Shivanandalahari is said to be written here.

6. Sikhareswaram: It is the highest peak of Srisailam moutain range above to 2830 feet to MSL. It is about 8 km from main temple. Lord Veerasankara being called as Sikhareswara. In the past centuries, devotees used to reach Srisailam on foot through the dense forest. Being tired they were unable to move any further and wanted to have a look of the shrine. From there they might have returned. According to Puranas “Srisaila Sikharam drustya punarjanma navidyate….” By looking at this Sikharam it is said that one gets emancipated from all sins. The person becomes free from the vicious cycle of life and death.

7. Ishtakameswari Devi: It is about 21 km from main temple, situated in dense forest of Srisailam hill. This temple belongs to 8th –10th centuries. Ishtakameswari is another name of Parvathi devi. There is no word like Ishtakameswari in the puranas and literature except Kameswari. In the present day also it is difficult to reach there. Private vehicle or not allowed and so one has to hire vehicles. There is a specialty in the idol that if you touch the forehead u can feel like a human skin. If you visit the place once, you will feel like visiting the same place again.

8.  Paathalaganga:It is 1 km from main temple. One has to climb down nearly 500 steps to reach river Krishna which flows at the foot of the hill and called as Pathalganga. Now rope way to this was constructed making it convenient for the people who cannot reach the place through steps.

9. Akkamahadevi caves: It is about 10 km from Pathalaanga. Akkamahadevi was strong believer of Lord Mallikarjunaswamy. She belongs to 12th century. She was born in ‘Udutadi’ village in Shimoga district of Karnataka. Her parents Sumathi and Nirmala Setty, were veerashiva devotees. Being uninterested in marriage with the king Koushikudu, she came to Srisailam to engross in Lord Mallikarjuna and reached caves, now being called Akkamahadevi caves. She performed penance (Tapassu) for some time in these caves and later went to Kandhalivanalu. She has been worshipped as prime Sivasaran in ‘Veerashiva’ tradition. These caves are naturally formed, very attractive and station of natural beauty.