Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam – Inscriptions

Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam – Inscriptions

The Nasik inscription of Queen Naganika of the Satavahana dynasty, while mentioning their extent of their kingdom, mention Sirithana as one of the important places in the eastern extension of the empire. This is identified with the range of hills, presently known as Sriparvatha, which are the Nallamalai hill ranges extending from Srisailam up to Nagarjuna Konda. In first century A.D., Nagarjuna Konda is not known as a historical place and hence the Sirithana of this inscription is equated with Sriparvatha or Srisailam.

The earliest inscription found at Srisailam discovered recently is a label inscription in sixth century A.D., Brahmi characters reading “Sarasa Paramathma” which is identified to indicate the name of a Siddha at this place, which indicate this place is known to be a Siddhakshetra by sixth century A.D. The Harsha Charita of a same period also terms Srisaila as a Siddhakshetra.

Although there are a couple of inscriptions dated 1206 and 1298 A.D., found at Hata Keshwaram and Bheemasankaramatham respectively. They do not contain any tangible historical references. Thus, between seventh and thirteenth centuries, surprisingly there are no historical records available at Srisailam. The first historically significant inscription found at Srisailam belongs to Pradaba Rudra of 1313 A.D.

None of the inscriptions prior to fifteenth century attest to the existence of the Sakti temple at this place. However, literature, attests to its existence as Adi Sankara have written some of the poems in his Sivananada Lahari in praise of goddess Bhramaramba. It is a well-known fact that the worship of the female element is the earliest form of religion in the entire world. The Linga worship along with the Mother goddess worship is known right from the Indus Valley times.

As such, the existence of a Siva temple at Srisailam presupposes a Sakti temple as early as first century A.D. and so Goddess Bhramaramba is not a late innovation, as some scholars think. The Matsya Purana states that Srisailam is the seat of Mother Goddess Madhavi. Some of the historians are opined that the Puranas such as Matsya Purana etc., believed the have been compiled during the period of Guptas i.e before the middle of the 5th Century A.D.

A tantric work Matangi Tantra datable to fifteenth century A.D., speaks about a Matangi temple at Srisailam. This in course of time might have receded into the background to come back into lime light on during fifteenth century. An inscription dated 1492 A.D., at Srisailam mentions that one Udayagiri Appanayya constructed a flight of steps from the southern entrance of the Malikarjuna temple up to the Bhramaramba temple.

In another inscription dated 1531 A.D, engraved on pillar of Virasiro mandapa states that one Maalappa Naidu donated fans to Lord Malikarjuna and silk sarees to Goddess Bhramaramba Devi. The renowned poet Srinatha of 15th century gloriously describes the goddess Bhramaramba of Srisailam. The Maratha King Sivaji is said to have received the sword from the goddess Bhramaramba for the preservation of the Hindu Dharma. The local tradition ascribes the construction of the Northern Gopura was caused by him.