Mallikarjuna Temple, Hindu temple in Srisailam, India
Mallikarjuna Temple stands at Srisailam in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, on a hill above the Krishna River. Its 2-hectare walled complex, measuring 183 by 152 metres with 8.5-metre walls, holds four gopurams and the Vijayanagara-period Mukha Mandapa with sculpted pillars.
Inscriptions from the Satavahana dynasty show the temple existed by the 2nd century. Most modern additions were made under Harihara I of Vijayanagara in the 14th and 15th centuries, while the veerasheromandapam and paathalaganga steps were built during the Vhanni Reddi kingdom in the 12th and 13th centuries.
The name Mallikarjuna comes from the jasmine flowers (mallika in Telugu) with which the lingam was worshipped, while the goddess is called Bhramaramba after the bee (bhramara) form she took to kill the demon Arunasura. Pilgrims also know Shiva here as Chenchu Ramayya, son-in-law of the Chenchu forest people.
Visitors should arrive early in the morning to experience ceremonies and avoid lines. The walk through the various courtyards can take some time, so comfortable footwear is recommended.
The Sahasra linga, a cluster of a thousand lingas, is said to have been commissioned by Rama, and five other lingas by the Pandavas. The mirror hall in the first precinct holds images of Nataraja.
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