Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam – The Temple
The Temple complex covers 2 hectares and houses four
gateway towers known as gopurams. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Mallikarjuna
and Bhramaramba being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls;
the most notable is the Mukha Mandapa built during the Vijayanagar period. The temple is situated facing East. The center
mandapam has several pillars, with a huge idol of Nandikeswara. The temple is
enclosed by tall walls measuring 183 m (600 ft.) by 152 m
(499 ft.) and 8.5 m (28 ft.) tall.
The architecture of the ancient Mallikarjun Temple is
very beautiful and intricate. The temple has fort like walls, towers and a rich
endowment of sculptural work. The huge temple is built in the Dravidian style
with lofty towers and sprawling courtyards and is considered to be one of the finest
specimens of Vijayanagar architecture. Temple of Tripurantakam, Siddavatam,
Alampura and Umamaheswaram located in the vicinity of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
are considered to be the four gateways to Sri Sailam.
There are a number of sculptures in the precinct each
raising above another. The Mukhamandapam, the hall leading to the sanctum, has
intricate sculpted pillars. The shrine where
Mallikarjuna is housed is considered the oldest in the temple, dating back to
7th century. There is a Sahasra Linga (1000 Linga), believed to have been
commissioned by Rama and five other Lingas believed to have been
commissioned by Pandavas. A mirror hall in the first precinct has images
of Nataraja.
The unique feature of this Kshetram is the combination
of Jyotirlinga and Mahasakthi in one campus, which is very rare and only one of
its kind. This entire complex is fortified by the most impressive Prakaram wall
of massive stones. The Prakaram wall contains four Dwaras (principal gates) at
four cardinals surmounted by the Gopuras. The eastern entrance is the Mahadwara.
The centre of the temple complex consists of an enclosure below the level of
the principal gates of the cardinals.
This enclosure has Salamandapas at the northern and
southern sides. The space between the inner enclosure and outer Prakaras walls
was maintained gardens in olden days. Nandimandapa, Veerasiromandapa, sanctum
and Mother shrine are located in a row from east to west in the inner court
yard. 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. This is a vast temple with several gopurams, on a hill which is
said to be a manifestation of Nandi. The Mallikarjuna Linga is accessible to
each and every devotee and anybody can go into the sanctum sanctorum of Mallikarjuna,
touch him and perform Abishekam 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.
Mandapams:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Sanctum:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Mother
Shrine:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Minor
Shrines:
The spacious complex of Srisailam temple was bestowed
with several minor shrines by various ruling dynasties, military chiefs, rich
merchants, female members of the royal families and so on. Among the minor
shrines mention should be made to the temples of Vriddha Malikarjuna,
Sahasralingeswara, Arthanareeswara, Pandava Pradhishta Temples (a group of five
Temples), Nava Brahma Temples (a row of nine Temples), Uma Maheswara,
Rajarajeswari and Rajarajeswara, Veerabhadra and Kumaraswamy. These are located
in various parts of the temple complex around the Malikarjuna temple. Ashta Lingams
are installed at the back side of the Shiva shrine. There are no shrines for
Nayanmars, Chandran, Suryan and Navagrahas Shrines which are prevalent in Tamil
Nadu Temples.
Bronze
Idols:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Inscriptions
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Sthala
Vriksham:
There is a Triphala Vriksha in the campus. It is
believed that under this Tree, the great Rishi Agastya resides in hidden form. It
is also believed that Guru Dattatreya appeared under this tree. Triphala
Tree is the Stala Vriksha associated with this Temple. It is not a single tree,
there are three trees all wound around each other to form one tree, hence it is
called Triphala. This is the co-existence of three sacred trees belonging to
Ficus species. They are Ashwatha (Raavi), Oudumbara (Medi) and Plaksha (Juvvi).
Lord Dattatreya has performed penance under this tree. Shree Gurucharitra
parayana or recitation of the stotras under this tree will give favourable
results and fulfill their wishes early. Even today, many devotees of Lord
Dattatreya are performing Shri Gurucharitra parayana as “Ekaaha” (completion of
the book in one day from morning to evening) under this tree to fulfill their
wishes.
Theertham:
Theertham associated with this Temple is Paalaazhi Theertham.
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