Contact us
Contact us
Contact us

Srisailam

Srisailam, nestled deep within the lush Nallamala Hills on the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh,



​

Srisailam, nestled deep within the lush Nallamala Hills on the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh, holds a unique and incredibly sacred position in Hinduism. The Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple here is one of the very few temples in India that simultaneously serves as both a Jyotirlinga (one of the 12 supreme shrines of Lord Shiva) and a Shakti Peetha (one of the 18 premier shrines of Goddess Parvati).
​The Historical Content
​The spiritual and political history of Srisailam spans over a millennium, heavily documented in stone inscriptions, classic literature, and royal decrees.

Mythological Origins
​Puranic lore states that when Lord Ganesha married before his elder brother Kartikeya (Subrahmanya), a frustrated Kartikeya left Mount Kailash and isolated himself on Mount Krauncha. To comfort him, Shiva and Parvati traveled to the region and took up an eternal abode here.
​Shiva manifested as Mallikarjuna (named after the wild jasmine flowers, or Malli, used by a local princess to worship him).

​Parvati manifested as Bhramaramba (taking the form of a Bhramari, or mother bee, to eliminate a powerful demon named Arunasura).
​2. A Chronology of Royal Patronage
​While ancient texts mention Srisailam as far back as the Mahabharata, its structural evolution is deeply tied to the major empires of the Deccan Plateau:

​The Satavahanas & Ikshvakus (2nd–4th Century CE): The earliest architectural and operational footprints trace back to these ancient rulers, who recognized the site as a potent center of Shaivite faith.

​The Kakatiya Dynasty (12th–14th Century CE): The Kakatiyas transformed the temple into a massive stone complex. Prominent rulers like King Prataparudra and Queen Rudrama Devi made extensive land grants and funded the construction of the inner sanctum’s features.

​The Vijayanagara Empire (14th–16th Century CE): King Harihara Raya II built the prominent Mukha Mandapam (pillared assembly hall) in 1405 CE. The legendary Emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya also visited Srisailam after successful military campaigns, commissioning the majestic Rajagopuram (main entrance tower) and gifting gold to the deity.

​Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1677 CE): In the late 17th century, the Maratha ruler visited Srisailam to seek the blessings of Goddess Bhramaramba. He built a grand northern gateway gopuram, known to this day as the Shivaji Gopuram, and a rest house for pilgrims.

FAQs

What makes Srisailam unique compared to other holy sites?
​It is virtually unparalleled because it is a dual-energy center. It satisfies two major sects of Hinduism at once: Shaivism (via the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga) and Shaktism (via the Bhramaramba Shakti Peetha). Visiting Srisailam is considered equivalent to visiting both Varanasi and Kanchipuram at the same time.
Can devotees touch the main Jyotirlinga?
​Yes. Unlike many prominent North Indian Jyotirlingas or major South Indian temples where devotees must stand at a distance, Srisailam allows common pilgrims to perform Sparsha Darshan. During designated hours, you are permitted to walk directly into the inner sanctum, touch the stone Lingam with your hands, and bow your head directly onto it.
What are the historic carvings on the temple walls?
​The outer prakaram (fortress-like compound wall) of Srisailam is a massive canvas of medieval art. Built primarily during the Vijayanagara period, it features thousands of reliefs carved into dark stone. They vividly depict scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Shiva Puranas, dynamic battle arrays with war elephants, and hunting scenes from the surrounding Nallamala forests.
Why is the temple associated with a "buzzing bee" sound?
​According to local tradition, if you place your ear against a specific stone wall located at the back of the sanctum of the Goddess Bhramaramba temple, you can hear a faint, continuous acoustic vibration that resembles the humming or buzzing of a queen bee (Bhramari).
What else is there to see in Srisailam besides the temple?
​Srisailam seamlessly blends spirituality with nature. Major landmarks include: ​The Srisailam Dam: A massive hydroelectric project built across the deep gorges of the Krishna River. ​Pathala Ganga: The sacred stretch of the Krishna River at the bottom of the canyon, accessible via a steep flight of 852 steps or a modern ropeway car system. ​Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve: India's largest tiger reserve by surface area, completely surrounding the temple town. ​Sakshi Ganapati: A small temple on the town's perimeter where a statue of Ganesha is believed to keep a ledger ("witness") of all pilgrims who visit Srisailam.
How do I reach Srisailam?
​Srisailam sits atop a hill and does not have its own railway station or airport. The most common route is by road from Hyderabad (roughly 210 km away) or Vijayawada (around 260 km away). The drive takes you through scenic, winding ghat roads and dense forest checkpoints managed by the forest department.

Price From : ₹400/-

Address

Near Avaloormadam temple, thathampally po, pin code 688013

Map
Call
Website
Book Now

Related Listings

Best fresh up rooms & dormitory rooms near Srisailam

  • 400/-
View

Best deluxe rooms near Srisailam

  • 1500/-
View

Best deluxe boat house in Kerala

  • 6500/-
View