Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, the Kailash of the South
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas or self-manifest lingams of Lord Shiva located in Srisailam town in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The temple complex is dedicated to the deities Shiva and Parvati and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India.
The legend of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is as follows: Once upon a time a sage named Rishba performed penance on the hill where the temple now stands. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before him and gave him a boon. Rishabh asked for a Shivlinga that could be seen by everyone, irrespective of their caste. Shiva fulfilled his wish and Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga was born.
This temple is said to have been built by the Pandavas, heroes of the epic Mahabharata. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, most recently by the Vijayanagara Empire in the 16th century. The present temple complex is a blend of Hindu and Dravidian architectural styles.
The main temple is dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna, a form of Shiva. This Shivalinga is said to be self-made and is made of black stone. The temple also has a shrine of Bhraramamba Devi, a form of Parvati.
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus across India. The temple is especially crowded during the Mahashivratri festival celebrated in February or March every year.
Here are some other important features of the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple complex:
- Patal Ganga, a sacred river said to originate in the netherworld.
- Shikhareshwar Temple, which is on top of the hill and has a Shivalinga installed by the Pandavas.
- Nandi Mandapam, which houses a large idol of Nandi, the bull that is Shiva's mount.
- The **Rishabheshwara Temple**, dedicated to Rishabha, is said to have been performed by the sage on the hill where the temple now stands.
The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple complex is a beautiful and sacred place that is worth a visit if you are ever in the Andhra Pradesh region of India.
