Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam – History

Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam – 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. The hills are also sacred to the Buddhists. Saint Nagarjuna lived here in the first century AD. Chinese travelers Fahian and Hieun Tsang have described this pilgrim centre as Sri Parvatam and a Buddhist centre.

The epigraphical evidences reveal that the history of Srisailam begins with the Satavahanas who were the first empire builder in South India and also the earliest rulers of Andhradesa. The earliest known historical mention of the Hill-Srisailam can be traced in Pulumavi’s 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 Ikshavakus (AD 200-300) ruled from their capital Vijayapuri, about 50 Km from Srisailam and so this Kshetram must got 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 Srisailam 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 the temple complex of Srisailam attest the patronage of Chalukyas (AD 624-848).

The Kakatiyas (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 be 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 Srisailam that almost all rulers of this dynasty did celebrated service for the temple. Prolaya Vema Reddy, the Reddi King constructed stepped path way to Srisailam and also Pathalaganga. Anavemareddi constructed Veerasiro Mandapam in which the Veerasaiva devotees cut off their hands, tongues, limbs with devotion and this practice is known as Veeracharam.

The Velama Chiefs constructed flight 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 Harihararaya of Vijayanagara empire constructed the Mukhamandapam of Mallikarjuna Temple and also raised 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 Chatrapati 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 constructed by him. Later the Mughal Emperors conquered this region and this place was given as Jagir to Nawabs of Kurnool.

After the fall of Mughal Emperors this place came under the control of Nizam of Hyderabad. When the Nizam cede the Kurnool District to the British East India Company in 1800 AD Major Manro took procession of the District and entrusted the management to the authorities of the District Court. In 1929 a committee was constituted by the British Government for the management of the temple. In 1949 the temple came under the control of Endowments Department and attained its past glory after it was opened by the road during the year 1956.