Mallikarjuna Temple

According to legend, Sage Silada performed penance to Lord Shiva, seeking a boon for a child. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva granted him two sons, whom Silada Maharishi named Nandi and Parvat. Even at a young age, they were taught the Vedas by their father and became ardent devotees of Lord Shiva.

As they grew older, Parvat also performed penance on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, accompanied by Parvati, appeared and blessed him. When Lord Shiva asked what Parvat desired, he requested to be transformed into a hill (Parvat) like Mount Kailash, with all the Devas, holy water bodies, nine sacred rivers, munis, rishis, plants, trees, and, at the summit, a temple where Lord Shiva and Parvati would reside. Lord Shiva, impressed by the uniqueness of the request, granted the boon, saying that no one had ever asked such a wish before.

From that time on, the hill was known by various names such as Sri Parvatham, Srinagam, Srisailam, and Srigiri. Lord Shiva and Parvati agreed to reside there, and the temple became one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples, offering blessings to all devotees who climbed the hill while chanting the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya."

This legend is closely associated with Ma Parvati in her form as Sri Bramarambika Devi. The Skanda Purana, specifically in the Srisaila Kandam, narrates the origin of this temple. According to the legend, the demon Arunasura performed penance to Ma Gayatri, seeking the boon of immortality. Although Ma Gayatri could not grant such a boon, she directed him to Brahma. Arunasura then performed penance on Brahma, who, satisfied with his devotion, asked him what he desired. When Arunasura requested immortality, Brahma explained that it was against the laws of the universe, so he asked for a different boon. After much thought, Arunasura requested that he could not be killed by any living being with two or four legs. Brahma granted this boon.

With the belief that he was invincible, Arunasura began terrorizing the Devas. In their distress, the Devas appealed to Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati for help. In response, Ma Parvati took the form of a bee (Bramaramba) and killed Arunasura. The Devas, grateful for her intervention, asked her to choose a place to stay and bless her devotees. Ma Parvati, as Bramarambika, chose Srisailam as her abode and has resided there ever since.

Later, Ma Parvati asked Lord Shiva about the most desired place in the universe, apart from Kailash. Lord Shiva chose Srisailam, praising its picturesque beauty, the presence of the Sri Chakra, and its divine significance on Earth. Srisailam is considered the 2nd of the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples and the 6th of the 18 Shakti Peethas of Ma Bramarambika. This temple is unique as it is the only one on Earth that houses both a Jyotirlinga Shiva Temple and a Shakti Peetham together. Srisailam is known by various names, including Srigiri, Sri Parvatham, and Srinagam.

Throughout the ages, the temple has been revered by many. In Satya Yuga, Narasimhaswamy is worshipped here. In Treta Yuga, Rama and Sita visited the temple. During Dwapara Yuga, the Pandavas worshipped here, and in Kali Yuga, it continues to be worshipped by Yogis, Rishis, Maharishis, spiritual teachers, kings, and poets.

A local legend says that once, Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy went hunting in the forest, where a local girl fell in love with him. They later married in the presence of the locals. Since then, the people of the region refer to Lord Shiva as Chenchu Mallanna or Chenchu Mallayya, considering him their son-in-law.

In the vicinity of the Vrutha Mallikeshwara Swamy Temple, there is a sacred tree known as the Thathathreya Vruksham, where Thathathreyar is believed to have performed penance. This tree is a combination of three trees—Methi, Ravi, and Juvi—collectively known as Thiripala. There is also an old tree called Kara Veeram near the temple.