Srishailam Temple
Srishailam: (Srishailam Bhramarambha Mallikhajuna Swami Devasthanam )
Another part of Trilinga Desam And also one of the Jyotirlingams, an
Abode of Lord Shiva worshipped with the name of Mallikarjuna and Goddess
Parvathi, workshipped wih the name of Bhramarambha. Srisailam has a
unique distinction amongst the Hindu temple of the world. It is
shaktipithas and one of 12 Jyothirlingas. Hug Hydro-electric
Multi-purpose dam also beem Construed at this place on river Krishna.
The Sanctum Sanctorium is covered with gold. Located in Kunool District
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 Srisailam.
History:
Srisailam played a dominant role in our religious, cultural and social history from ancient times.
The epigraphical evidence reveals that the history of Srisailam
begins with the Sathavahanas who were the first empire builders in South
India. The earliest known historical mention of the Hill - Srisailam,
can be traced in Pulumavis Nasik inscription of 1st Century A.D.
The Sathavahanas, the Ikshavakus, the Pallavas, the
Vishnukundis, the Chalukyas, the Kakatiyas, the Reedy Kings, the
Vijayanagara Emperors and Chatrapathi Shivaji are among the famous
emperors who worshipped God Mallikarjuna Swamy.
Prataparudra of Kakatiya Dynasty strived a lot for the
improvements of this Kshetram and granted Paraganas for its maintenance.
Ganapathideva has spent 12000 Golden Nanyas for the maintenance of the
temple.
The period of Reddi Kings is the Golden Age of Srisailam that
almost all rulers of the dynasty did celebrated service for this temple.
In 14th Century Prolaya Vema Reddi of Reddy Dynasty constructed
stepped path-way to Srisailam and Pathalaganga (Here the river Krishna
is called as Pathalaganga) and Anavema Reddi constructed Veera
Siromandapam in which the Veerasaiva devotees cut off their hands,
tongue, limbs with devotion to attain the realisation of the God. This
practice is known as Veeracharam.
The
Second Harihararaya of Vijayanagara Empire constructed the
Mukhamantapam of Swamy shrine and also a Gopuram on Southern Side of the
temple.
In the 15th Century Sri Krishnadevaraya Constructed the
Rajagopuram on Eastern side and Salumantapas on both sides of the
temple.
The
last Hindu King who strove hard for the improvement of the temple is
Chatrapathi Shivaji who constructed a Gopuram on northern side in the
year 1667 A.D.
