Srisailam played a dominant role in the Indian religious, cultural and social history from ancient times. The epigraphical evidence reveals that the history of Srisailam begins with the Sathavahanas who were the first empire builders in South India. The earliest known historical mention of the Hill - Srisailam, can be traced in Pulumavis Nasik inscription of 1st Century A.D. The Sathavahanas, the Ikshavakus, the Pallavas, the Vishnukundis, the Chalukyas, the Kakatiyas, the Reddy Kings, the Srisailam or Srisailamu (Śrīśailaṁ, Śrīśailamu) is situated in the Nallamala Hills of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is on the banks of the Krishna River about 212 km south of Hyderabad and 179 km from Kurnool. It is sometimes spelled Shrishailam.
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About Temple
The shrine of Lord Mallikarjuna picturesquely situated on a flat top
of Nallamalai Hills, Srisailam is reputed to be one of the most ancient
kshetras in India. It is on the right side of the River Krishna in
Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. This celebrated mountain is also
named as Siridhan, Srigiri, Sirigiri, Sriparvatha and Srinagam. It has
been a popular centre of Saivite pilgrimage for centuries.
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The prominence of this Divya Kshetram is highlighted by the fact
that while performing our daily household rituals we specify place of
location of our existence with reference to Srisailam.
The presiding Deities of this kshetram Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is one of the eighteen Mahasakthis and both are self-manifested. The unique feature of this kshetram is the combination of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi in one campus, which is very rare and only one of its kind.
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There is a common belief in vogue that this Holy Kshetram exists
from times immemorial. The antiquity and origin of God Mallikarjuna
Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is not known.
The Mallikarjuna Linga is accessible to each and every devotee and anybody can go into the sanctum sanctorum of Mallikarjuna, touch him and perform Abhishekam and Archana himself to recitation of Mantras by Archakas without caste or creed or religion. This clearly reveals that socialistic pattern of society started from this place and it is still in existence.]
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Srisailam played a dominant role in our religious, cultural and social history from ancient times.
According to pre-historic studies the habitational history of Srisailam goes back to about 30,000-40,000 years. Stone tools of that period are abundantly found at various places of Srisailam such as Bheemuni Kolanu, Kailasadwaram etc.
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The Epigraphical evidence reveals that the history of Srisailam begins with the Sathavahanas who were the first empire builders in South India. The earliest known historical mention of the Hill - Srisailam, can be traced in Pulumavis Nasik inscription of 2nd Century A.D. Malla Satakarani, an early member of the Satavahanas got his name after ‘Mallanna’ the deity on this sacred hill.
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The Ikshvakus (AD 200-300) ruled from their capital Vijayapuri, about 50 Km from Srisailam and so this Kshetram must get their patronage.
The Vishnukundis (AD 375-612) were the devotees of God Sriparvatha Swamy who was none other than Mallikarjuna Swamy, the presiding deity of Srisaila Kshetram. Most of their inscriptions contain the prasasti “Bhagavat Sriparvatha Swamy Padanudhyatanam”.
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The Telagunda inscription of Kadamba Santi Varma proves that the Srisailam region was originally included in the Pallava Kingdom (AD 248-575) and subsequently formed the first independent principality of Kadambas (AD 340-450).
A part of the inscriptional evidences, the Architectural features of temple complex of Srisailam also attest the patronage of Chalukyas (AD 624-848)
The Kakatiayas (AD 953-1323) contributed much for the growth of the temple. Several steps in regulating the temple management were taken during their period. In the reign of Kakatiya Prathaparudra datable to 1313 AD, the gift of 70 villages to Srisailam temple made from time to time by several emperors, kings etc., was executed properly for the maintenance of the temple. Mailamadevi, sister of Ganapathideva is said to have constructed the vimana gopuram of Mallikarjuna Garbhalayam.
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The period of Reddi Kings (AD 1325-1448) is the Golden Age of Srisaialm that almost all rulers of this dynasty did celebrated service for the temple. Prolaya Vema Reddi, the Reddi King constructed stepped path way to Srisailam and also Pathalaganga. Anavemareddi constructed the Veerasiro Mandapam in which the Veerasaiva devotees were cut off their hands, tongues, limbs with devotion and this practice was known as Veeracharam.
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The Velama Chiefs constructed of steps at Jatararevu, en-route from Umamaheswaram to Srisailam. The major contributions and renovations at Srisailam were taken up by Vijayanagara Rules (AD 1336-1678). The Second Hariharaya of Vijayanagara Empire constructed the Mukhamandapam of Mallikarjuna Temple and also raises a Gopuram on the Southern side of the temple complex. Srikrishnadevaraya visited the shrine in 1516 AD on his return journey after a war with Gajapathis and constructed Salumandapas on both sides of the car street. It also taken the credit of the construction of Rajagopuram of the temple by him. The fall of the Vijayanagara rule witnessed Srisailam and this Kshetram lost its glory.
In the year 1674 AD Chatrapathi Sivaji the great Maratha King visited Srisailam, restored the festivals of the temple under protection of his officers and taken up some renovations. According to tradition the north gopuram of the temple was caused by him, to be constructed. Later the Moghal Emperors conquered this region and his place was given as Jagir to Nawabs of Kurnool.
After the fall of Moghal Emperors this place came under the control of Nizam of Hyderabad. When the Nizam ceded the Kurnool District to the British East India Company in 1800 AD, Major Manor took procession of the District and entrusted the management of the temple to the Pushpagiri Matam. Later the then British Government handed over the temple administration to the District Court.
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In 1929 a committee was constituted by the British Government for the management of the temple. In 1949 the temple came unber the control of Endowments Departments and attained its past glory after it was opened by the road during the year 1956.
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The presiding Deities of this kshetram Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is one of the eighteen Mahasakthis and both are self-manifested. The unique feature of this kshetram is the combination of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi in one campus, which is very rare and only one of its kind.
The Mallikarjuna Linga is accessible to each and every devotee and anybody can go into the sanctum sanctorum of Mallikarjuna, touch him and perform Abhishekam and Archana himself to recitation of Mantras by Archakas without caste or creed or religion. This clearly reveals that socialistic pattern of society started from this place and it is still in existence.]
History
Srisailam played a dominant role in our religious, cultural and social history from ancient times.
According to pre-historic studies the habitational history of Srisailam goes back to about 30,000-40,000 years. Stone tools of that period are abundantly found at various places of Srisailam such as Bheemuni Kolanu, Kailasadwaram etc.
The Epigraphical evidence reveals that the history of Srisailam begins with the Sathavahanas who were the first empire builders in South India. The earliest known historical mention of the Hill - Srisailam, can be traced in Pulumavis Nasik inscription of 2nd Century A.D. Malla Satakarani, an early member of the Satavahanas got his name after ‘Mallanna’ the deity on this sacred hill.
The Ikshvakus (AD 200-300) ruled from their capital Vijayapuri, about 50 Km from Srisailam and so this Kshetram must get their patronage.
The Vishnukundis (AD 375-612) were the devotees of God Sriparvatha Swamy who was none other than Mallikarjuna Swamy, the presiding deity of Srisaila Kshetram. Most of their inscriptions contain the prasasti “Bhagavat Sriparvatha Swamy Padanudhyatanam”.
The Telagunda inscription of Kadamba Santi Varma proves that the Srisailam region was originally included in the Pallava Kingdom (AD 248-575) and subsequently formed the first independent principality of Kadambas (AD 340-450).
A part of the inscriptional evidences, the Architectural features of temple complex of Srisailam also attest the patronage of Chalukyas (AD 624-848)
The Kakatiayas (AD 953-1323) contributed much for the growth of the temple. Several steps in regulating the temple management were taken during their period. In the reign of Kakatiya Prathaparudra datable to 1313 AD, the gift of 70 villages to Srisailam temple made from time to time by several emperors, kings etc., was executed properly for the maintenance of the temple. Mailamadevi, sister of Ganapathideva is said to have constructed the vimana gopuram of Mallikarjuna Garbhalayam.
The period of Reddi Kings (AD 1325-1448) is the Golden Age of Srisaialm that almost all rulers of this dynasty did celebrated service for the temple. Prolaya Vema Reddi, the Reddi King constructed stepped path way to Srisailam and also Pathalaganga. Anavemareddi constructed the Veerasiro Mandapam in which the Veerasaiva devotees were cut off their hands, tongues, limbs with devotion and this practice was known as Veeracharam.
In the year 1674 AD Chatrapathi Sivaji the great Maratha King visited Srisailam, restored the festivals of the temple under protection of his officers and taken up some renovations. According to tradition the north gopuram of the temple was caused by him, to be constructed. Later the Moghal Emperors conquered this region and his place was given as Jagir to Nawabs of Kurnool.
After the fall of Moghal Emperors this place came under the control of Nizam of Hyderabad. When the Nizam ceded the Kurnool District to the British East India Company in 1800 AD, Major Manor took procession of the District and entrusted the management of the temple to the Pushpagiri Matam. Later the then British Government handed over the temple administration to the District Court.
In 1929 a committee was constituted by the British Government for the management of the temple. In 1949 the temple came unber the control of Endowments Departments and attained its past glory after it was opened by the road during the year 1956.
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