Mallikārjuna of Śrīśailam

Mallikārjuna of Śrīśailam

Mallikārjuna — Shiva at the Nallamala mountain Jyotirlinga

Location

• Place: Srisailam, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh (16.0729°N, 78.8694°E)

Story & Significance

Śrīśailam Mallikārjuna is 2nd of the 12 Jyotir-liṅgas. The temple atop Nallamala hill has been continuously worshipped since at least the 6th c. BCE. Uniquely, both Shiva (Mallikārjuna) and his consort Bhramarāmbā (a Shakti Pīṭha) are together — the Śiva-Śakti unity in one kshetra. Adi Shankara composed the Śivānanda Laharī here. The Dakṣiṇa-gopura faces the Krishna river; the annual Mahā-śivarātri Brahmotsava draws half a million pilgrims.

Worship & Festival

Daily aarati (dawn + dusk); abhisheka; flower and coconut offerings; evening deepa-dhyana. Annual festival features procession, special darshan, distribution of prasadam, and gathering of community.

Why This Entry Matters

Each district of India has its own gods, stories, and sacred places. Cataloguing them — with real coordinates and authentic local tradition — respects the richness of India's lived religious diversity.