Srisailam Temple: Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga & Bhramaramba Shakti Peeth
श्री मल्लिकार्जुन ज्योतिर्लिंगWhere Shiva and Parvati came to stay near a son who had walked away.
Srisailam (also called Srisaila or Sri Parvatam) is the hill-top temple town in the Nallamala forest above the Krishna river, in Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh. Here Mallikarjuna, the second Jyotirlinga, and the goddess Bhramaramba, one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, are worshipped in one complex. The legend, darshan and Sparsha darshan rules, Kartika crowds, and how to reach from Hyderabad.
- 2nd Jyotirlinga in the Shiva Purana list
- Shakti Peeth Bhramaramba Devi in the same complex
- Krishna river called Patala Ganga below the hill
- ~200 km from Hyderabad airport by road
Where is Srisailam temple and why is it special?
Srisailam temple — the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple — stands on the Nallamala hills above the Krishna river in Nandyal district (formerly Kurnool), Andhra Pradesh, about 200 km from Hyderabad. It is rare because it is both a Jyotirlinga, second in the Shiva Purana list of the 12 Jyotirlingas, and a Shakti Peeth: Bhramaramba Devi is counted among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas.
Srisailam — श्रीशैलम्, also Srisaila or Sri Parvatam — is named in the Dwadasha Jyotirlinga smaranam as “श्रीशैले मल्लिकार्जुनम्”, Mallikarjuna on the holy mountain. Shiva is worshipped here as Mallikarjuna and the goddess as Bhramaramba, and devotees pray at both shrines in the same visit. Few places hold a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peeth together, which is why many families plan Srisailam as one of their most important yatras.
It is one of India’s oldest continuously worshipped Shiva shrines: inscriptions from about the 2nd century CE, in the Satavahana era, suggest a shrine already stood here. Much of what pilgrims see today, including the Mukha Mandapa, was added in the 14th and 15th centuries under the Vijayanagara kings, beginning with Harihara I. Below the hill the Krishna flows as Patala Ganga, and all around is the Nallamala forest.
The legend of Mallikarjuna
The Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita) tells why Shiva and Parvati came to live on this hill. This is how it is told.
- A race around the worldShiva and Parvati told their sons, Kartikeya and Ganesha, that whoever went around the whole world and returned first would be married first. Kartikeya set off at once on his peacock.
- Ganesha's answerGanesha walked around his parents instead, saying that they were his whole world. He was declared the winner, and was married.
- Kartikeya walks awayWhen Kartikeya came back after his long journey he felt he had been treated unfairly, and he left for the Krauncha mountain to live alone.
- Parents who followMissing their son, Shiva and Parvati followed him and settled on the Srisailam hill nearby. It is believed Shiva shines here as a Jyotirlinga, with Parvati as Bhramaramba.
A popular tradition adds that Shiva comes here as Arjuna on new-moon days and Parvati as Mallika on full-moon days — and so the Lord is called Mallikarjuna. There are other local stories about Srisailam too. All of them are told as tradition rather than history; for many devotees this is simply the temple of parents’ love.
Srisailam temple timings and darshan
| Darshan | General (Alankara) darshan runs in slots from early morning to night, with breaks for temple rituals. Incredible India lists 6:00 am – 3:30 pm and 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm; news reports give slots from 4:30 am — timings change with crowds and festivals, so check the Devasthanam portal before you go |
| Sparsha darshan | A paid darshan in which devotees may touch the Jyotirlinga. Tickets are sold online only on srisailadevasthanam.org |
| Sparsha rule since Aug 2026 | On Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays only the night slot runs; other days have three slots (Deccan Chronicle, 3 Aug 2026). On the busiest Kartika days Sparsha may be suspended for general devotees |
| Dress | Traditional dress is expected for Sparsha darshan — check the rules on the portal when you book |
| VIP / protocol darshan | Only through an official recommendation letter submitted in advance. Websites selling “VIP darshan tickets” are private agents — avoid them |
| Bhramaramba Devi | Her shrine is in the same temple complex — take darshan of both |
The official portal srisailadevasthanam.org is the only place to book Sparsha darshan, sevas and Devasthanam rooms. Aarti and seva times are not printed here because we could not confirm them — confirm locally or on the portal. Older blogs still show three Sparsha slots every day; that changed in August 2026.
Kartika month, Mahashivratri and festival dates
| What | Date | Status / source |
|---|---|---|
| Karthika Masam 2026 | 10 Nov – 8 Dec 2026 | Telugu calendar (HinduTone); the busiest month of the year |
| Karthika Somavarams | 16, 23, 30 Nov and 7 Dec 2026 | Mondays of Kartika — very heavy crowds |
| Karthika Pournami | 24 Nov 2026 | Tithi dates can shift by a day — confirm locally |
| Mahashivratri 2027 | 6 Mar 2027 | Drik Panchang |
| Mahashivratri Brahmotsavam 2027 | Not announced yet | A multi-day festival around Mahashivratri (held in Feb 2026) |
Ugadi brings large groups of pilgrims from Karnataka and Maharashtra, many on foot, and Dasara–Navaratri is celebrated for Bhramaramba Devi; check the Devasthanam’s schedule for exact dates. If you want a calmer darshan, choose a Tuesday to Friday outside Kartika.
How to reach Srisailam
By air
Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport) is the nearest major airport, about 200 km by road.
By rail
Markapur Road is the nearest station, about 85 km away. Nandyal and Kurnool are about 180 km.
By road
A ghat road through the Nallamala forest and tiger reserves. APSRTC and TGSRTC buses run from Hyderabad, Kurnool and Vijayawada. Forest stretches may close to traffic at night — plan to arrive by evening.
At the temple
The temple is in the town; Patala Ganga, on the Krishna, is about 1 km away and 852 steep steps down.
Sample Srisailam trip from Hyderabad
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Day 1Hyderabad → Srisailam
Fly or take the train into Hyderabad and leave early for the roughly 200 km drive through the Nallamala forest. Check in, and take an evening darshan if the queues are short.
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Day 2Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba
Early darshan of Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba Devi (Sparsha darshan if you booked it online). Visit Sakshi Ganapati, about 3 km away, where tradition says pilgrims “register” their visit, and, if your knees allow, walk down to Patala Ganga.
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Day 3Return or go south
Drive back to Hyderabad for your flight, or continue the southern Jyotirlinga journey towards Rameshwaram.
Every yatra is planned for your dates, group and pace — Price: Get Quote.
Before you go
- Book only on the official portalSparsha darshan, sevas and Devasthanam rooms are sold on srisailadevasthanam.org. Many “Srisailam online booking” sites are private agents.
- Pick the right daySparsha has more slots from Tuesday to Friday. Kartika Mondays, Karthika Pournami, Mahashivratri and long weekends bring the longest queues.
- EldersQueues can be long and partly in the open. The Patala Ganga steps are steep — skip them or go slowly with rests. Carry water.
- Drive in daylightThe road crosses forest and tiger reserve; leave Hyderabad early and reach Srisailam by evening.
Plan your Srisailam yatra with Suzu
We plan Srisailam trips from Hyderabad or your city — car through the Nallamala ghats in daylight, stays close to the temple, and darshan days chosen around Kartika crowds and the Sparsha rules — or fit Mallikarjuna into the full 12 Jyotirlinga journey, with elders in mind.
Questions pilgrims ask
What are Srisailam temple timings?
Darshan runs in slots from early morning to night, with breaks for temple rituals. Timings change with crowds and festivals, so check srisailadevasthanam.org before you go.
What is Sparsha darshan at Srisailam?
A paid darshan, booked online only on the Devasthanam portal, in which devotees may touch the Jyotirlinga. Since August 2026 it runs only at night on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays; other days have three slots.
Is Srisailam a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peeth?
Yes. Mallikarjuna is the second Jyotirlinga in the Shiva Purana list, and Bhramaramba Devi is counted among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas.
Which state and district is Srisailam in?
Andhra Pradesh — Nandyal district, which was part of Kurnool district until 2022. The town is in the Nallamala hills above the Krishna river.
How far is Srisailam from Hyderabad?
Roughly 200–215 km by road through the Nallamala forest. Leave early so you drive the forest stretch in daylight.
Which is the nearest railway station to Srisailam?
Markapur Road, about 85 km away. Nandyal and Kurnool are about 180 km.
What is the story of Mallikarjuna?
The Shiva Purana says Shiva and Parvati followed their hurt son Kartikeya to the Krauncha hills and settled at Srisailam to be near him.
When is Srisailam most crowded?
In Kartika month (10 Nov – 8 Dec 2026), especially on Mondays and Karthika Pournami, on Mahashivratri (6 Mar 2027) and on long weekends.
Keep exploring
Yatras & circuits
Seasonal yatras
Temple guides
Planning guides
Sources
- Srisaila Devasthanam — official portal (darshan, Sparsha, sevas, rooms)
- Incredible India — Srisailam Temple (Govt of India)
- Deccan Chronicle — Srisailam revises darshan timings to ease pilgrim rush (3 Aug 2026)
- Deccan Chronicle — Sparsha Darshanam for general devotees suspended till 8 Dec (3 Dec 2025)
- AIR News — Shivaratri Brahmotsavams at Srisailam (13 Feb 2026)
- Shiva Mahapurana, Koti Rudra Samhita (Sanskrit)
- Wikipedia — Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam
- HinduTone — Karthika Masam 2026 dates
- Drik Panchang — Maha Shivaratri 2027
Legends are retold in our own words as traditions. Animations are original artwork by Suzu Travels.
