The shrine of Lord Mallikarjuna
picturesquely situated on a flat top of Nallamalai Hills, Srisailam is reputed
to be one of the most ancient kshetras in India. It is on the right side of the
River Krishna in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. This celebrated mountain
is also named as Siridhan, Srigiri, Sirigiri, Sriparvatha and Srinagam. It has
been a popular centre of Saivite pilgrimage for centuries.
The prominence of this Divya Kshetram is
highlighted by the fact that while performing our daily household rituals we
specify place of location of our existence with reference to Srisalam.
sshrIshailashRiNge vibudhAtisaNge
tulAdrituNge.api mudA vasantam |
tamarjunaM mallikapUrvamekaM namAmi saMsArasamudrasetum
“Jaya Mallikarjuna! Jai Mallikarjuna"
Srisailam is located in Kurnool district of Andhra
Pradesh. This whole area is full of forests of Kadali, Bilva trees, mountain
ranges and Patalaganga (Krishnaveni river). All of them echo from these joyous
voices of devotees.
Puranic History of Srisailam
When Kumar Kartikeya returned to Kailash after
completing his trip around the earth, he heard about Ganesha’s marriage from
Narada. This angered him. In spite of being restrained by his parents, he
touched their feet in obeisance and left for Krounch Mountain. Parvati was very
distraught at having to be away from her son, implored Lord Shiva to look for
their son. Together, they went to Kumara. But, Kumara went away a further three
Yojanas, after learning about his parents coming after him to Krouncha Mountain.
Before embarking on a further search for their son on each mountain, they
decided to leave a light on every mountain they visited. From that day, that
place came to be known as JyotirLinga Mallikarjuna. It is believed that Shiva
and Parvati visit this palce on Amavasya (No moon day) and (full Moon day)
Pournami, respectively. Visiting this JyotirLinag not only blesses one with
innumerable wealth, but also name and fame and fulfils all the desires.
Once,a princess named Chandravati decided to go to the
Jungles to do penance and meditation. She chose Kadali Vana for this purpose.
One day, she witnessed a miracle. A Kapila cow was standing under a Bilwa tree
and milk was flowing from all of its four udders, sinking into the ground. The
cow kept doing this as a routine chore everyday. Chandravati dug up that area
and was dumb founded at what she saw. There was a self-raising Swyambhu
SivaLinga. It was bright and shining like the sun rays, and looked like it was
burning, throwing flames in all directions. Chandravati prayed to Siva in this
JyotirLinga. She built a huge Shiva Temple there. Lord Shankara was very
pleased with her. Chandravati went to Kailash wind borne. She received
salvation and Mukti. On one of the stone-inscriptions of the temple, Chandravati’s
story can be seen carved out.
Location and Development of Mallikarjuna Swamy
Temple
Shaila Mallikarjuna’s holy place is located on the
banks of River Krishna. Here River Krishna is in the form of Patalaganga
(underground spring). Lakhs of devotees take a holy dip here and then go for
the Darshan of the Jyotirlinga.
During the Karnataka Movement, Chatrapati Shivaji
used to come to take a Darshan of the JyotirLinga during the Maharatri. He
built a tower on the right side of the Temple and also opened a free-meal center.
The Kings of the Vijaya Nagar Dynasty too built a
Temple, Tower, Portico and a pond. Ahelyadevi Holkar, a great devotee of Siva
built a strong bathing wharf consisting of 852 steps on the banks of the
Patalganga.
Earlier, this part of the Shaila mountains was an
unreachable tough terrain and fraught with danger. Even then, devotees, with
their sheer will power, used to reach there in large numbers. Hiranyakashipa,
Narada, Pandavas, Sri Ram are some of the great mythological personalities who
have visited this holy shrine. shankara bhagavatpada, renukacharya, akka mahadevi,
hemareddy mallamma are some of the great devotees who worshipped Lord Mallikarjuna
here. Sambandhar, Appar and Sundharar have sung one Padhikam each on the Lord of Srisalam.
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