
Sri BramarambhaMallikarjuna Temple is a devoted to the gods Shiva and Parvati, situated at Srisailam. This temple is stated to as one of the twelve Jyothirlingas of Lord Shiva and as one of the eighhteen Shakti Peethas of goddess Parvati. Shiva is worshiped as Mallikarjuna, and is symbolized by the lingam. His companionParvati is represented as Bhramaramba.It is the only temple in India which is admired as both Jyotirlinga and Shaktipeeth.
History
Srisailam played a main role in Hindu religious, cultural and social history from earlyperiods. According to pre-historic studies the history of Srisailam goes back to about 30,000-40,000 years. Stone tools of that period are richly found at several places of Srisailam. The epigraphical indicationsdisclose that the history of Srisailaminitiates with the Satavahanas who were the first kingdomconstructor in South India and also the most primitivemonarchs of Andhra.
The primary known ancientstatement of the Hill-Srisailam can be found in Pulumavi’s Nasik engraving of 2nd Century A.D.MallaSatakarani, an early member of the Satavahanas got his name after ‘Mallanna’ the god on this holy hill. The Ikshavakus (AD 200-300) reigned from their capital Vijayapuri, about 50 Km from Srisailamand so this Kshetram got their patronage.
The Vishnukundis (AD 375-612) were the disciples of God SriparvathaSwamy who was MallikarjunaSwamy, the presiding divinity of SrisailaKshetram. Maximum of their engravingshave the prasasti “BhagavatSriparvathaSwamyPadanudhyatanam”.
The Telagundaengraving of Kadamba Santi Varma ascertains that the Srisailam region was eventually included in the Pallava Kingdom (AD 248-575) and consequently formed the first independent territory of Kadambas (AD 340-450).
A part of the inscriptional signs, the Architectural structures of the temple complex of Srisailamconfirm the patronage of Chalukyas (AD 624-848). The Kakatiyas (AD 953-1323) donatedgreatly for the growth of the temple. During the period 1313 AD, 70 villages were gifted to Srisailam temple by several emperors, kings etc., and wasimplemented properly for the maintenance of the temple.
The period of Reddi Kings (AD 1325-1448) is the Golden Age of Srisailam. ProlayaVema ReddyKing built treaded path way to Srisailam and also Pathalaganga. The major contributions and renovations at Srisailam were taken up by Vijayanagara Rules (AD 1336-1678). The Second Harihararaya of VijayanagaraEmpirebuilt the Mukhamandapam of Mallikarjuna Temple and also elevated a Gopuram on the Southern side of the temple. Srikrishnadevaraya visited the grave in 1516 AD on his return voyage after a war with Gajapathis and builtSalumandaps on both sides of the car street.
During 1674 AD Chatrapathi Sivaji the Maratha King visited Srisailam, reinstated the festivals of the temple under defence of his officers and taken up some renovations.Later the Moghal Emperors captured this region and was given as Jagir to Nawabs of Kurnool.After Moghal Emperors this place came under Nizam of Hyderabad.
Ateam was establishedin 1929 by the British Government for the administration of the temple. The temple came under the control of Endowments Department and accomplished its past exaltation after it was opened by the road during the year 1956.
Places to visit nearby temple: Sri MallikarjunaSwamy Temple, Srisailam Dam, Pathala Ganga, AkkaMahadevi Caves, PhaladharaPanchadhara, etc.
Nearest Railwaystation: Markapur Railway Station.
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