Sri Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, Andhra Pradesh
The 2nd Jyotirlinga is in Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple or Srisailam Temple in Andhra Pradesh. This temple is situated on a hilltop of Nallamala Hills by the Krishna river.
Introduction
- Mallikarjuna is special because there is both a jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha (special shrine to Shakti Devi – there are 18 of them).
- It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared as Arjuna on Amavasya (No moon day) and Goddess Parvati as Mallika on Poornima (full moon day), and hence the name Mallikarjuna.
- Devotees believe – visiting this temple brings them wealth and fame.
- It is believed that Goddess Parvati fought the demon Mahishasura by transforming herself into a bee. Devotees believe they can still hear a bee buzzing through a hole in the Bhramaramba temple.
While this temple hosts visitors throughout the year, it would be best to visit in the winter months i.e. October to February.
Temple Timings:
Daily Darshan : 04.30 am to 10.00 pm
Morning / Evening Darshan : 06.30 to 03.30 pm, 06.00-10.00 pm
Aarti Timings :
Ritual : 05.00 am
Suprabhatha Darshan : 05.00 am
Mahakangala Aarti : 05.30 am & 05.00 pm
Other Poojas and Sewas at SriSailam Temple
Ganapathi Abhishekam : 07.00 am
Ganapathi Homam : 07.00 am
Ganapathi Homam : 07.00 am
Rudra Homam : 07.30 am
Laksha Bilwarchana : 11.00 am
Sahasralingam Abhishekam : 06.30 am
Kumkuma Pooja : 07.00 am
Gouri Vratham : 08.00 am
Festivals celebrated at Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga / Srisailam Temple
- Mahasivaratri Brahmothsavams : The Mahashivaratri celebrated in February or March and the day marks the beginning of a Seven Day Festival period. The important event are Ankurarpana, Dhwajarohana, Vahana Seva to God and Goddess as well as Lingodhbhavakala Maharudrabhishekam to God.
- Ugadi : This celebration is for 5 days in which lakhs of people visit this temple for God’s blessings. The festival beings 3 days before Ugadi (Telugu New Year), occurs in late March or early April and the important events of celebrations are Vahana Seva to God and Goddess, Alankaras to Goddess, Veerachara Vinyasalu and Rath Yatra.
- Kartheekai Mahothsavam : The Karthik is one of the most auspicious months in Hindu Calender. Devotees light numbers of deepams in the Srisailam Temple premises. Devotees also perform Jvalathoranam (bonfire) in the temple on full moon day of this month.
- Sravanamahothsavam : This festival occurs in Shravan Maas (August / September) of Hindu Calander. Also, Akhanda Shivanama Sankeerthan (Bhajan n Kirthan) takes place round the clock throughout the Sravan month.
Other Temples around Mallikarjuna Temple
- Sakshi Ganapathi : This Sakshi Ganapathi is located about 3 km from Srisailam Temple and devotees believe that Ganapathi keeps attendance / Sakshi of the pilgrims visiting the Srisailam holy town.
- Hatakeswaram : Hatakeswaram is just 5 km from Srisailam. The legend says that Lord Shiva appeared to potter in Atika (piece of POT) and hence, this place was famous as Atikeswaram. Later this became Hatakeswaram.
- Sikhareswaram : Sikhareswaram is located about 8 km from Srisailam, which is 2830 feet above sea level making it the highest peak in Srisailam. This temple is an ancient stone structure and according to the Skanda puranam, a glance at the peak will relieve the curses of re-birth.
- Phaladhara Panchadhara : This Phaladhara Panchadhara is located about 4 km from Srisailam. Sri Adi Shankara performed penance here and composed the famous Sivanandalahari.
- Akkamahadevi Caves : This Cave is located 10 km away from Srisailam and beliefs say that Akkamahadevi, a lyricist and philosopher spent few years in these caves in 12th century AD doing penance and worshipping the Shiva linga. Also, the Linga naturally existed in the deep parts of the cave.
Significance of Srisailam Jyotirlinga / Mallikarjuna
Mallikarjuna Linga is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva and supposed to have appeared in a fiery column of light. The linga is swayambhu and devotees believe that the neck of Sati fell here when her corpse was cut.
Anyone can perform Abhishekam and Archana at Mallikarjuna Linga, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. And the unique feature is that you can touch the Linga and perform the Puja yourself in Mallikarjuna Temple.
The Pandavas placed here, the Panchapandavaa Lingas in the temple courtyard and the five Lingas have their names after the different forms of Shiva – Sadyojatha, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurush and Eesana.
History
Several rulers contributed to the building and maintenance of the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple. However, the first records appear in 1 AD in the books of the Shathavahanas empire builders.
Subsequently, Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Chalukyas, and Reddis, who were also followers of the Mallikarjuna Swami contributed to the temple. The Vijayanagara Empire and Chhatrapati Shivaji also improved the shrine and temple (building the gopuram in 1667 AD) respectively.
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga has its origin about 6 centuries back. This Jyotirlinga was constructed by King Harihara Raya of Vijaynagar and the temple is built in Vijayanagar style with high operas surrounding the Mallikarjuna Temple. Kondaveedu dynasty, the reddy kings, have contributed a lot towards the making of this Jyotirlinga. The north Gopuram of this temple has been constructed by Shivaji. An enormous wall of 6 metres encloses the temple and are amazingly crafted with stories of Mahabharata and Ramayana that takes us back to those Vedic times.
Mallikarjuna Temple has small temples around its premisses which are devoted to numerous Hindu Gods including Nandi the Bull, Sahasralinga and Nataraja.
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