Sri Brahmaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple

श्री ब्रह्मरांबा मल्लिकार्जुन स्वामी मंदिर

Location

Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

Darshan

04:00 – 22:00

Deity

🪔Lord Shiva (Mallikarjuna)

Entry

Free entry

Sarva Darshan: 04:30–13:00 and 18:00–21:00. Seegra Darshan: 06:00–15:30 and 18:00–22:00. Sparsha Darshan (touch Jyotirlinga, Tue–Fri, free): 13:45–15:45 same-day token. Weekend Sparsha Darshan: ₹500.

Srisailam is uniquely sacred as both Jyotirlinga #2 and one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas — making it an exceptionally rare dual holy site. Shiva resides as Mallikarjuna; Parvati as Bhramaramba (she who took the form of a bee to slay demon Arunasura). Located deep in the Nallamala Hills on the banks of the Krishna River.

History

One of the oldest continuously worshipped temples in India. The Nasik inscriptions of Satavahana Queen Naganika (~2nd century BC) mention the site. The Kakatiya Queen Mailamamba built the present Garbhagriha in 1220–1230 CE. The Mukhamandapa (16-pillar front hall) was built by Vijayanagara king Harihara II in 1405 CE. The Northern gopuram was funded by Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1667 CE. Adi Shankaracharya installed the Srichakra in the Bhramaramba sanctum. Currently administered by AP Endowments Department.

Mythology

When Kartikeya lost the cosmic competition to Ganesha and retreated to Mount Krauncha, Shiva and Parvati followed and manifested as Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba on Shri Shaila hill. The name Mallikarjuna derives from Mallika (jasmine flowers) offered in worship and Arjuna (brilliant/white, an epithet of Shiva). As Bhramaramba ("queen of bees"), Parvati slew the demon Arunasura who had taken shelter among swarms of bees. Per Shakta tradition, Sati's upper lip fell here when Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra dismembered her body as Shiva wandered the cosmos in grief.