Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam

Mallikarjuna Temple at Srisailam is a major Hindu pilgrimage temple in Andhra Pradesh, India, dedicated to Lord Shiva under the name Mallikarjuna. The temple is one of the classical 12 Jyotirlinga sites and occupies a prominent position in regional religious practice.

The complex centres on two principal shrines - the Mallikarjuna shrine to Shiva and the Bhramaramba shrine to the goddess - forming a combined Shaiva-Shakti pilgrimage destination. Pilgrims follow established access routes and there are substantial temple precincts and ritual spaces for worship and festivals.

The site has a long history of patronage and enlargement by medieval South Indian dynasties and continued religious use over centuries. Architectural elements and inscriptions reflect multiple phases of construction and repairs.

The temple stands in the Nallamala Hills at Srisailam on the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh, surrounded by forested hills and a protected landscape. Access is via road from regional centres and it functions as a focal point for regional pilgrimage circuits.

• Jyotirlinga status: Recognised as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, making it a major destination for Shaiva pilgrims from across India.
• Paired Shakti shrine: Contains a paired Shakti shrine, so the complex is both a Jyotirlinga and an important Shakti Peetha for devotees.

What to See #

• Mallikarjuna (Shiva) shrine: The main shrine dedicated to Shiva, revered as one of the 12 classical Jyotirlinga pilgrimage sites of India; the temple complex forms the principal focus of ritual worship at Srisailam.
• Bhramaramba (Shakti) shrine: The adjoining shrine of Bhramaramba, a principal Shakti shrine that forms a paired worship complex with the Mallikarjuna temple; both shrines are integral to the site's ritual significance.