SriShailam have two significances Bhramaramba
is one of the Ashtadasa Maha Shaktipeethas and Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the
Jyotirlingas. It is believed that the neck part of Sati devi has fallen here
when Lord Vishnu has cut the corpse. The shrine of Lord Mallikarjuna
picturesquely situated on a flat top of Nallamalai Hills, Srishailam 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 Sathavahanas,
the Ikshavakus, the Pallavas, the Vishnukundis, the Chalukyas, the Kakatiyas,
the Reddy Kings, the Vijayanagara Emperors and Chatrapathi Shivaji are among
the famous emperors who worshipped God Mallikarjuna Swamy. Bhramaramba is a
very ferocious deity and worshipped by the people of Chenchu.
There are 4 gate ways to this sacred ancient temple in
cardinal directions.
Tripuranthakam in Prakasam District
in the east where God Tripurantakeshwara Swamy and Goddess Tripurasundari Devi
are presiding deities.
Siddhavatam located on the bank of
the river Penna in Kadapa District in the south where Jyothisideswara Swamy and
Goddess Kamakshi Devi are the presiding deities.
Alampur is on the bank of the river
Tungabhadra in Mahaboobnagar District in the west where Navabrahma Alayas, a
group of nine temples of the Chalukya period, are. This Kshetram is also the
seat of Goddess Jogulamba, one of the eighteen Mahasakthis.
UmaMaheswaram is located in
Rangapur, Achampeta Mandal, Mahaboobnagar District in the North where God
Umamaheswara Swamy and Goddess Umamaheswari Devi are the presiding deities.
The temple is the site of Mahakali
in the form of Bhramaramba. It is believed, the Vrishabha, the sacred bull of
Lord Shiva performed penance here. Lord Shiva appeared before him, with his
consort Parvati in the forms of Mallikarjuna and Bharamaramba. A gigantic fort,
with 6 mtr high wall encloses the temple. The images of the deities, both
extremely old, are enshrined in the more recent temple built by the Vijayanagar
king Harihara Raya around 1404 AD. The temple, whose popular name is
Sriparvata, is bounded by a great fortress-like wall that is 20 ft high, 6 ft
wide and 2120 ft in circumference. Built in in 1520 AD, the wall has 3200
stones, each weighing over one ton, and is decorated with fine relief carvings
displaying images from Hindu mythology.
SthalaPuran:
When Shiva and Parvati decided to
find suitable brides for their sons, Ganesha and kartikeya argued as to who is
to get wedded first. Lord Shiva bade that the one who goes round the world in
Pradakshinam could get married first. By the time Lord Kartikeya could go round
the world on his vahana, Lord Ganesha went round his parents 7 times (for according
to Shastras, going in pradakshinam round one's parents is equivalent to going
once round the world (Bhupradakshinam). Lord Siva got Buddhi(intellect), Siddhi
(spiritual power), and Riddhi (prosperity) married to Lord Ganesha.
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.
Another Legend says 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 every day. 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.
Sri Sailam Dam
Jyotirlinga:
As per Siva Mahapuranam, once Brahma
(the Hindu God of creation) and Vishnu (the Hindu God of saving) had an
argument in terms of supremacy of creation. To test them, Shiva pierced the
three worlds as a huge endless pillar of light, the jyotirlinga. Vishnu and
Brahma split their ways to downwards and upwards respectively to find the end
of the light in either directions. Brahma lied that he found out the end, while
Vishnu conceded his defeat. Shiva appeared as a second pillar of light and
cursed Brahma that he would have no place in ceremonies while Vishnu would be
worshipped till the end of eternity. The jyotirlinga is the supreme partless
reality, out of which Shiva partly appears. The jyotirlinga shrines, thus are
places where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light. Originally there were
believed to be 64 jyotirlingas while 12 of them are considered to be very
auspicious and holy. Each of the twelve jyotirlinga sites take the name of the
presiding deity - each considered different manifestation of Shiva. At all these sites, the primary image is lingam
representing the beginningless and endless Stambha pillar, symbolizing the
infinite nature of Shiva.
Mallikarjuna Swamy
temple:
1.Vrudhamallikarjuna
Swamy: This lingam is said to be older than the present Mallikarjuna Swamy
Lingam. There is no Nandi (Bull, vechicle of Lord) in front of it. The Lingam
is uneven on its outer face which indicates the old age of Lord Shiva which was
prayed by Chandravathi. Hence it is called Vrudhamallikarjuna Swamy.
2. Ardhanareeswar: This
idol is in the northern side of the main temple. This is the oldest idol.
Details and period of the idol remains unknown yet.
3. Lingas incarnated
by Pandavas: Five temples are situated besides Arthanaareseswara temple.
These were incarnated by Pandavas according to the historic sources.
4. Mallika Gundam: (Mallika
water point): According to the Hindu mythology, this Gundam was part and
parcel of Saraswathi river, which flows beneath the Krishna river. The river
Saraswathi is called ‘Antaarvahine’ which means it is flowing beneath the river
Krishna. Many devotees used this Mallika Gundam water to heal their diseases.
Another important thing is, the shade of the gopuram (monumental tower) of
Mallikarjuna swamy’s temple is being reflected in this ‘Gundam’.
5. Veerabhadra Swamy
Temple: This idol is in temple and having North face. He is guarding the
Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy always.
6. Sanagalabasavanna:
It is situated in front of the Veerasiro mandapam. It is known as “Nandi
mandapam”. This Nandi is called Nandeeswara (Baswanna). Kannadigulu call this
as ‘Chennu kallu Basawanna”.
7. Addala(Mirror)
Mandapam: Place for Swamy where he takes rest during nights called as
pavalimpu seva.
8. Tri fruit tree
(Triphala uruksham): Juvvi (white fruited wavy leaf fig tree), Raavi (Sacred
Fig or Bo-Tree), and Medi (Cluster Fig Tree) plants together become grown as
one tree. It was said that Acharya Nagarjuna and others performed deeksha under
this tree. One superstition was there, that couples who had no children, simply
they circumambulated the tree (walking round the tree) to get children (santanam)
in coming years.
9. Nityakalyana
mandapam(marriage hall): This is to the south west of temple where daily
Kalyanam (Marriage) of the Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bramarambika ammawaru is
perfomed in the eveninings.
10. Sri Rama and Sita
Devi’s sahasralingams: Shahasra meaning thousand. Sahasra linga means 1000
Lingas carved in one linga. Sri Rama linga is situated in Swamy’s temple
whereas the one installed by Sita Devi is in Ammavari temple.
The main temple of Bramaramba devi,
the first of Asthadasa Maha Sakthi Peethas is the one with fabulous sculptures.
You can hear a kind of BEE FLY’s whizzing (Bhramara means Bee Fly) behind the
main temple.
1 .Lopa mudra: Lopa
mura shapes of Agasya Maharshi wife are only seen in Srisailam. We can see them
in sala mandapam of devi temple.
Places of interest in and around Srisailam
1. SakshiGanapathi: It
is just 1.5 miles away from Srisailam. According to the Hindu Mythology, it is
believed that the details of devotees visiting Srisailam will be recorded by
him and provided as witness to Lord Shiva. That way he is called Sakshi (withness)
Ganapathi.
2. Vitalesvara
temple: In 14 century AD, Vitalamba wife of Harihararaya II laid steps to
Paatalaganga and this temple was built. This temple is rich in sculpture. The
deity residing here is called Vitalesvara Swamy.
3. Shivaji spurthi
kendram: Once Chatrapati Shivaji has visited the Srisailam and resided here
for some time. He had built northern shrine. In front of it, he built a small
mandapa and used to live there. Now it has been collapsed. Adjecent to that a
well architected modern building has been constructed in the name Shivaji
spurthi kendram. A life size idol of Shivaji can be seen in the building which
stands as an inspiration to everyone.
4. Hatakeswaram: It
is about 5 km from Srisailam. ‘Hataka’ means gold. Lord Shiva killed
Tripurasura by making Meruparvatham as bow and arrow. Here, Shiva has been
worshipped in golden Lingam shape. Hence it is being called as Hatakeswaram. In
front of the temple, a water pond of over 150 ft area can be witnessed. It is
called Hatekeswara theertham. It is believed that devotees who dip here (bath)
and drink water in paladhara-Panchadhara, fulfill their desires.
5.
Paladhara-Panchadhara: It is about 200 meters from Hatakeswaram.
Paladhara-Water steams flows continuously. It originates and flows 6 meters and
demise there itself. It exists throughout the year irrespective of any season.
It is called Paladhara because it is believed that this was originated from the
forehead of Lord Shiva. Panchadhara- it is originated from 5 faces of Lord Shiva
viz Satyojatha, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpursha and Esana. Water is of medicinal
values, devotees carry water from here in order to cure their diseases.
Sanctity of these dharas: by bathing in Hatakeswaram and drinking water in
Paladhara and Panchadhara, devotees’ desires will be fulfulled. The book
Shivanandalahari is said to be written here.
6. Sikhareswaram:
It is the highest peak of Srisailam moutain range above to 2830 feet to MSL. It
is about 8 km from main temple. Lord Veerasankara being called as Sikhareswara.
In the past centuries, devotees used to reach Srisailam on foot through the
dense forest. Being tired they were unable to move any further and wanted to
have a look of the shrine. From there they might have returned. According to
Puranas “Srisaila Sikharam drustya punarjanma navidyate….” By looking at this
Sikharam it is said that one gets emancipated from all sins. The person becomes
free from the vicious cycle of life and death.
7. Ishtakameswari
Devi: It is about 21 km from main temple, situated in dense forest of
Srisailam hill. This temple belongs to 8th –10th centuries. Ishtakameswari is
another name of Parvathi devi. There is no word like Ishtakameswari in the
puranas and literature except Kameswari. In the present day also it is
difficult to reach there. Private vehicle or not allowed and so one has to hire
vehicles. There is a specialty in the idol that if you touch the forehead u can
feel like a human skin. If you visit the place once, you will feel like
visiting the same place again.
8. Paathalaganga:
It is 1 km from main temple. One has to climb down nearly 500 steps to
reach river Krishna which flows at the foot of the hill and called as
Pathalganga. Now rope way to this was constructed making it convenient for the
people who cannot reach the place through steps.
9. Akkamahadevi caves:
It is about 10 km from Pathalaanga. Akkamahadevi was strong believer of Lord
Mallikarjunaswamy. She belongs to 12th century. She was born in ‘Udutadi’
village in Shimoga district of Karnataka. Her parents Sumathi and Nirmala
Setty, were veerashiva devotees. Being uninterested in marriage with the king
Koushikudu, she came to Srisailam to engross in Lord Mallikarjuna and reached
caves, now being called Akkamahadevi caves. She performed penance (Tapassu) for
some time in these caves and later went to Kandhalivanalu. She has been
worshipped as prime Sivasaran in ‘Veerashiva’ tradition. These caves are
naturally formed, very attractive and station of natural beauty.
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