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FACTS TO
FILE
 How far : 232 km from Hyderabad
How to
reach : A.P. Tourism package tour, APSRTC buses at 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.,
or private taxis.
When to go
: Best to go
between July and February.
What to see
: Sakshi
Ganapathi Temple, Srisaila Mallikarjuna and Bhramarambha temple,
Sikhareswaram and Srisailam dam, with permission the Srisailam
wildlife sanctuary which covers over five adjoining districts which
has tigers, spotted deer, a variety of lizards and giant
squirrels.
Where to
stay : A.P. Tourist Saila Vihar rest house and Devasthanam Guest
Houses, cottages and choultries.
SRISAILAM ON THE
NALLAMALAIS - THE TAIL OF ADISESHA
 The ancient and sacred temple of Srisailam is of great
historical and religious significance. Situated on the south bank of
the river Krishna, in the Nallamalai forest, on a 457 meter high
hill is the Bhramaramba Mallikharjunaswamy temple, one of the 12
Jyothirlingas in the country. One of the state's three famous Linga
Kshetrams (Draksharamam and Nagarjunamo are the other two), it is
also known as "Sri Mallikharjunam" and "Sri Parvatham". The temple
is also the seat of Mahakali in the form of Bhramaramba.The most
appealing feature of this temple is that any one of any cast or
creed can touch the deity and worship here.
 Till 1957 the place was not
easily accessible to the pilgrims as it involved a walk of 64 kms
through dense forests and hilly terrains. Now there is a 60 km long
motarable road to the top of the 1563-foot high plateau, from Dornal
on the Kurnool-Guntur road. It is a pleasant drive on a road lined
with green and flowering trees. Passing through the small town of
Dindi one reaches Mannanur from where the Rajiv Gandhi reserve
forest starts and so does the climb on to the Nallamalais. After
about 10 km drive on the elevated plane one can see the majestic
white gopuram of the Srisailam temple. The 512 meter long Srisailam
dam across the river and the hydroelectric project is surrounded by
natural beauty. One requires special permission to go on to the main
dam. Buses and trucks are allowed to go on a road bridge that runs
parallel to the dam.
LEGENDS
As the legend goes, Vrishabha,
the sacred bull of Lord Siva performed penance here. Siva and
Parvati apeared in the form of Mallikharjuna and Bhramaramba. A
massive fort, with six meter high walls encloses the temple. A
cluster of minor shrines within the temple compound include the
Sahasra Linga, Panchapandava temples and Vatavriksha.
Hiranyakasipu of Kretayuga is believed to have conducted pujas
here. It is said that Srirama and Sita visited the shrine and
installed Sahasra Lingas (thousand lingas). The place is also
associated with Pandavas who installed idols of Siva. Several
devotees have attained salvation by performing pujas here while
several saints have sanctified the place by doing penance. The
greatness of the place has been described in "Srisaila Kandam" of
Skanda
Puranam.
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