Mallikarjuna - The Jyotirlinga Where Shiva and Parvati Both Reside

A Temple Unlike Any Other Jyotirlinga

Among the 12 Jyotirlingas, Mallikarjuna at Srisailam holds a very special place. This is the only Jyotirlinga that is also a Shakti Peetha - a place where the divine energy of both Shiva and Parvati is equally present.

Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped as Mallikarjuna - the Lord adorned with jasmine flowers. Goddess Parvati is worshipped as Bhramaramba - the goddess who is like a black bee. Coming here is like meeting both divine parents at the same time.

 

What Does the Name Mean?

Malli - Jasmine flower

Arjuna - White or bright (also the white-flowered arjuna tree)

Together: 'The Lord who is as white and pure as the jasmine and arjuna flowers' - a beautiful description of Shiva's divine purity.

 

The Story - When Parents Came Looking for Their Son

MYTH: Why Kartikeya Left Home The gods once held a test for Ganesha and Kartikeya - who could travel around the entire universe first? Kartikeya immediately jumped on his peacock and flew off. But Ganesha simply walked around his parents - Lord Shiva and Parvati - three times and said, 'My parents ARE the universe.' The gods declared Ganesha the winner.   Kartikeya was very upset and left home in great anger, going south to the Srisailam hill alone.  Shiva and Parvati were heartbroken. Like any loving parents, they followed him south. But Kartikeya moved further away each time they came close. Unable to go on without their son but unable to bring him home, they stayed nearby.  Shiva manifested as a Jyotirlinga - Mallikarjuna. Parvati stayed as Bhramaramba.  Even today, Srisailam is believed to be where the divine parents wait, hoping their child will one day return.

 

This story touches every parent's heart. The idea that even Shiva and Parvati had to wait for a child who had gone away in anger - just like any mother and father in this world - makes this temple feel deeply personal.

 

FACT: What the Skanda Purana and Mahabharata Say The Skanda Purana praises Srisailam as one of the most sacred mountains in India, saying that even the sight of the hill from a distance removes all sins. The hill is considered as sacred as Mount Kailash itself. The Mahabharata also mentions Srisailam as a great tirtha (sacred crossing).

 

A Temple Deep in the Forest

Srisailam sits deep in the Nallamala forest in Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh, on the banks of the Krishna River. The drive to Srisailam passes through this ancient forest - tall trees on both sides, birds calling, a sense of leaving the ordinary world behind.

FACT: Tigers and Pilgrims The Nallamala forest around Srisailam is part of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve - one of the largest tiger reserves in India. Real tigers roam the forests around this Jyotirlinga. Pilgrims travel on designated roads and are perfectly safe. Knowing that tigers live in the hills around this ancient shrine adds a sense of wonder - nature and divinity coexist here in a rare way.

 

The Blessing Sloka of Mallikarjuna

Sanskrit: श्रीशैले श्रीमल्लिकार्जुनं नमामि शिव-पार्वतीम् | यत्र गङ्गा च देवेशि प्रवहति नदी कृष्णा || Transliteration: Shrisaile Shrimallikarjunam namami Siva-Parvathim | Yatra Ganga cha Deveshi pravahanti nadi Krushna || Meaning: At Srisailam, I bow to Mallikarjuna and to Shiva-Parvati together, where the Krishna River flows as sacred as the Ganga.

 

Practical Guide for Senior Pilgrims

Detail	Information
Location	Srisailam, Nandyal District, Andhra Pradesh
Nearest City	Hyderabad (215 km) or Kurnool (165 km)
Temple Darshan Hours	5:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Aarti Timings	Early morning 5:30 AM and evening 7:00 PM
Best Time to Visit	October to March (avoid monsoon - forest roads difficult)
Special Darshan	VIP darshan tickets available online - book in advance
Nearby attraction	Boat ride on Krishna River - Rs. 50 to Rs. 150 per person

 

Estimated Cost for a 2-Night Stay (Per Person)

Expense	Approximate Cost
Temple guesthouse	Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,500 per night
Private hotel in Srisailam town	Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 2,500 per night
Shared taxi from Hyderabad	Rs. 500 to Rs. 800 per person one way
Meals	Rs. 200 to Rs. 350 per day

 

Mallikarjuna at Srisailam is a reminder that even the most powerful beings in the universe know the pain of missing a loved one. Shiva and Parvati came here as parents - not as gods. When you stand before Mallikarjuna, you are standing before a parent who understands your heart.