MALLIKARJUN JYOTRILINGA

MALLIKARJUN JYOTRILINGA

It is situated on Shri Shaila Mountain by the banks of the Patal Ganga, Krishna River in the southern stateof Andhra Pradesh. Also known as Kailash of the South, Mallikarjuna constitutes one of the Dwaadash Jyotirlingamshrines of Shiva and is one of the greatest Shaivaite shrines in India.The presiding deities of Mallikarjuna Temple are Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Bhramaramba (Devi). Every year there is a fair organized on account of Mahashivratri.

LEGEND OF MALLIKARJUN JYOTIRLINGA

According to Shiva Purana, when Lord Ganesh was married of before his Kartikeya, and because of this brother Kartikeya became angry. Despite being stopped and consoled by his parents Shiv-Parvati, Kartikeya went away to the Kraunch Mountain. Even the Gods went and tried consoling Kartikeya but all their efforts were in vain. Because of this incident Shiv-Parvati were very sad and both decided that they would themselves go to Kraunch Mountain. However,when Kartikeya came to know that his parents have arrived, he went away. Eventually Lord Shiva assumed the form ofJyotirlinga and resided on that mountain by the name of Mallikarjuna. Mallika means Parvati, while Arjuna is another name of Shiva. In this way both Shiva and Parvati came to reside in this linga. It is said that by merely seeing the tip of mountain one is emancipated from all his sins and worries. The person becomes free from the vicious cycle of life and death.

ARCHITECTURE OF MALLIKARJUN TEMPLE

The architecture of the ancient Mallikarjun Temple is very beautiful and intricate. The temple has fort like walls, towersand a rich endowment of sculptural work.The huge temple is built in the Dravidian style with lofty towers andsprawling courtyards and is considered to be one of the finest specimens of Vijayanagar architecture.Temple ofTripurantakam, Siddavatam, Alampura and Umamaheswaram located in the vicinity of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlina areconsidered to be the four gateways to Sri Sailam.

BHRAMARAMBA SHRINE

Mallikarjun Temple is a shrine dedicated to Goddess Jagdamba who is known as Bhramarambahere. The Bhramaramba shrine is considered to be of great significance. Legend has it that Durga is said to have assumed the shape of a bee and worshipped Shiva here, and chose this place as her abode.