It’s said that there are 12 special places where he appeared as a shining light called a Jyotirlinga, showing his immense power.
The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is one of these spots. It is in a temple in a place called Srisailam in India.
The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple holds a special place in the hearts of devotees as they visit this temple to pray and seek blessings.
It’s like a special place where they believe they can find inner peace and strength for their spiritual path.
Location of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
The Mallikarjuna temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Basaralu, a small town in Karnataka, in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Basaralu is near Nagamangala and approx 65 km away from the city of Mysore.
History of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple
The Mallikarjuna Swamy temple has quite a diverse history with contributions from various rulers such as the Shathavahanas around 1 AD, which played a role in the temple’s history.
The Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Reddis, the Vijayanagara Empire, and Chhatrapati Shivaji contributed to the temple’s development and expansion.
During the rule of the Mughals, worship at the temple had to pause for a while. But when the British took over, people started worshiping the temple again.
After India became independent, people started recognizing its historical importance so they began fixing and maintaining it, ensuring its place as a revered religious site.
Now it’s a respected religious place where worshippers feel close to their beliefs.
Also Read- The Story of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: Broken Yet Sacred
Mythological Story Behind Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
Once upon a time, there was a temple on the mountain where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati lived.
They had two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya, Shiva and Parvati wanted to decide who should get married first.
Shiva said, Let’s have a race around the earth. The one who finishes first gets married first.
Kartikeya raced on his peacock thinking he would win easily, while his brother was on a mouse named Mushaka.
But clever Ganesha went around Shiva and Parvati seven times, saying that parents were like the whole world according to Shashtra scriptures.
Shiva and Parvati liked this and married Ganesha to three goddesses.
Kartikeya felt sad about losing and went to live on another mountain. Shiva and Parvati followed him and stayed there, making it a special place for their followers.
That’s how the Mallikarjuna Temple became really important for people who worship Shiva and Parvati.
Architecture of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga temple covers 2 hectares and has four gateways facing different directions: east, south, west, and north. Each gateway leads to a different district.
This temple is peaceful and beautiful. It has incredible sculptures and follows a Dravidian architectural style.
Inside the temple are separate temples for both deities, surrounded by walls.
In the inner courtyard, you will find different shrines lined up from east to west, such as Nandimandapa and temples for Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba.
Smaller shrines like Vriddha Mallikarjuna and Sahasra Lingeswara are also there.
The main shrine is ancient, from the 7th century.
There’s also a grand sight called Saharara linga or 1000 linga, and a hall with lots of images of Lord Nataraja.
The craftsmanship is incredible, with detailed sculptures and designs that are hard to find nowadays.
The special Mukha Mandapa hall was built during the Vijayanagar Empire and has beautifully carved pillars.
Also Explore- Kadu Malleshwara Temple: Oldest Temple in Bangalore
How to Reach the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
By Air: Fly to Begumpet Airport or Vijayawada Airport. Then, take a bus or a cab to reach the temple.
By Train: Go to the nearest railway station to Srisailam, then take a bus or taxi from there to reach the temple.
By Road: Take a bus from your city to Hyderabad. From Hyderabad, which is only 6 km away from Srisailam, you can take a bus or book a private cab to reach the temple.
Let’s Know why Mallikarjuna Temple is famous.
The Mallikarjuna shrine is the oldest part of the temple, believed to be from the 7th century. It’s connected to the famous Hindu epics,
Ramayana and Mahabharata. What makes it special is that it’s not only a jyotirlinga but also a Shakti Peetha, a special shrine dedicated to Shakti Devi.
This type of temple, where the shrine is both a jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha, is really rare. There are only three temples like this in the whole of India.
Can anyone touch Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga?
Yes, in the Mallikarjuna temple, devotees are allowed to touch the Sivalinga while conducting rituals such as bathing it with milk.
This act is a significant part of the temple’s customs, allowing devotees to directly engage in expressing their devotion during religious ceremonies.
Conclusion
The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Srisailam is a special place for people looking for spiritual peace. It’s really important for those who believe in Lord Shiva.
This temple is also a Mahashakti Peetha, which means it’s a sacred place for Shakti devotees. The temple’s style is Dravidian, known for its unique architecture. It’s by the Krishna River, surrounded by the Nallamallai Forest.
