Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
मल्लिकार्जुन ज्योतिर्लिङ्ग
Mythological Origin
The tale of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is rooted in the divine family drama of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Once, the celestial parents arranged a contest between their two sons — Ganesha and Kartikeya — to determine who could first circumambulate the entire universe. Kartikeya, swift and proud, mounted his peacock and set off at tremendous speed across the cosmos. Ganesha, the embodiment of wisdom, simply walked around his parents, Shiva and Parvati, declaring that they themselves constituted his entire universe. The devas, moved by Ganesha's devotion and insight, awarded him the victory. Kartikeya, wounded by what he perceived as favouritism, renounced his parents' abode on Mount Kailasa and retreated in anger to Mount Krauncha in the south. Shiva and Parvati, heartbroken by their son's departure, followed him. But each time they drew near, Kartikeya moved further away. Finally, Shiva, overcome with longing, established himself as a self-manifested Jyotirlinga on the peak of Srisailam in the Nallamala Hills along the banks of the sacred Krishna River. Parvati, ever inseparable from her lord, manifested alongside him as Bhramaramba — the Goddess of the Bees — making Srisailam one of the rare sacred sites that is simultaneously a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha. The name Mallikarjuna itself weaves together this divine union: Mallika refers to the jasmine flowers offered by Parvati in her worship, and Arjuna is the name by which a devoted Shaiva king worshipped Shiva here. Thus the mountain became an eternal symbol of a parent's unconditional love, the unity of Shiva and Shakti, and the luminous presence of the divine in the dense forests of southern India.
Step-by-Step Rituals
Step 1: Nadee Snanam — Begin the pilgrimage by bathing in the sacred Krishna River at Patalaganga, located at the base of the Srisailam hill. Devotees descend hundreds of steps to reach the river, chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya' throughout the descent. This bath purifies the body and mind before approaching the Jyotirlinga.
Step 2: Giripradakshina — Undertake the sacred circumambulation of the Srisailam hill, a journey of approximately 30 kilometres through dense Nallamala forest. Traditionally completed on foot over one or two days, this pradakshina passes through ancient shrines, natural springs, and sacred groves. Many devotees perform this during Maha Shivaratri.
Step 3: Mallikarjuna Darshana — Enter the main sanctum of the ancient temple to receive darshana of the Mallikarjuna Lingam. Offer bilva leaves, jasmine flowers (mallika), milk, and vibhuti. The Lingam is adorned with elaborate decorations that change according to the day, and devotees witness the abhishekam performed by the temple priests with panchamritam.
Step 4: Bhramaramba Devi Darshana — Visit the adjacent shrine of Goddess Bhramaramba, the Shakti Peetha aspect of Srisailam. Offer kumkum, turmeric, red flowers, and coconut. Devotees recite the Lalita Sahasranama or Devi mantras. Receiving darshana of both Shiva and Shakti at the same kshetra is considered extraordinarily auspicious and grants complete spiritual merit.
Step 5: Shikhareswara and Hatakeswara Darshana — Complete the pilgrimage by visiting the hill-top temple of Shikhareswara, which offers panoramic views of the Krishna River gorge, and the ancient Hatakeswara temple. Conclude with offering deepam (oil lamps) at the Mahadvara (great gate) and receiving sacred prasadam of vibhuti and bilva leaves to carry home.
Symbolism
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga embodies several profound layers of spiritual symbolism. At its deepest level, the Jyotirlinga — the pillar of infinite light — represents the formless, boundless nature of Shiva-consciousness that transcends all spatial and temporal limitations. The union of the Jyotirlinga and Shakti Peetha at Srisailam symbolizes the inseparability of consciousness (Shiva) and creative energy (Shakti), teaching that ultimate reality is neither purely transcendent nor purely immanent but both simultaneously. The mountain setting itself is rich with meaning: the dense Nallamala forests represent the thick veil of maya through which the seeker must journey, while the peak represents the summit of spiritual attainment. The Krishna River flowing at the mountain's base signifies the eternal current of grace that sustains all life. The mythological backstory of Kartikeya's departure and Shiva's pursuit teaches that divine love is unconditional and that the Supreme follows the devotee, not the reverse — God is ever-seeking the jiva. The jasmine (mallika) in the temple's name symbolizes purity, surrender, and the fragrance of devotion that naturally emanates from a pure heart, while Arjuna signifies the strength and steadfastness required on the spiritual path.
Regional Variations
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
As the home region of Srisailam, devotion to Mallikarjuna is deeply woven into Telugu culture. Maha Shivaratri sees lakhs of pilgrims flood the temple. The Ugadi festival is also celebrated grandly here. Devotees from Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra undertake the Giripradakshina barefoot as a vow (mokku). Telugu devotional literature, including works by the saint-poet Akka Mahadevi and compositions in the Shaiva Siddhanta tradition, extol Srisailam as the supreme Shaiva kshetra of the south.
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
Tamil Shaiva devotees revere Srisailam through the Tevaram hymns, where it is praised as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams associated with the Nayanar saints. In Karnataka, the Veerashaiva and Lingayat traditions hold Mallikarjuna in the highest regard. Basavanna and Akka Mahadevi composed vachanas glorifying this kshetra. Many Kannada-speaking devotees undertake group pilgrimages, especially during Karthika Masam and Maha Shivaratri, carrying Shiva Kavadi and singing Vachana literature along the way.
Maharashtra and North India
Maharashtrian devotees connect Srisailam pilgrimage with the broader Dwadasha Jyotirlinga yatra circuit. Marathi saint-poets like Dnyaneshwar and Eknath referenced the Jyotirlinga tradition in their works. North Indian pilgrims often visit Srisailam as part of a comprehensive southern Jyotirlinga tour that includes Rameshwaram and Grishneshwar. During Shravan month, many northern devotees make the journey, combining it with the practice of Kanwar Yatra-inspired austerities.
Diaspora Home Guide
For devotees in the diaspora unable to visit Srisailam, the grace of Mallikarjuna can be invoked at home with devotion. Set up a small Shiva lingam — stone, crystal, or even a clay one — on a clean altar facing east or north. On Maha Shivaratri or every Monday, wake before dawn, bathe, and perform abhishekam on the lingam with milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and water while chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya' 108 times. Offer fresh bilva leaves (available dried from Indian stores or grown as a houseplant in warmer climates) and white jasmine flowers to invoke the Mallika aspect. Light a sesame oil deepam and burn frankincense or sambrani. Read or listen to the Shiva Mahimna Stotram and the Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram, mentally visualizing the forested Srisailam hill and the sacred Krishna River. If possible, form a small community satsang with other Hindu families to perform group chanting and share prasadam. Keep a framed image of Srisailam temple near the altar. On special occasions, watch the live darshana streamed by the Srisailam Devasthanam. Conclude every puja session by distributing vibhuti and panchamritam prasadam to family members, reinforcing that the Jyotirlinga's light shines wherever sincere devotion is offered.
Foods Offered
- Panchamritam (a sacred mixture of milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and sugar offered during abhishekam)
- Pulihora (tamarind rice, a staple temple prasadam in Andhra temples)
- Laddu (sweet semolina or boondi laddus distributed as prasadam at Srisailam)
- Annam (plain cooked rice offered as maha naivedyam to the Jyotirlinga)
- Payasam (sweet milk-rice pudding offered especially during festival days and special abhishekams)
Colors
Mantras
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya — I bow to Lord Shiva, the auspicious one. The supreme Panchakshari mantra recited ceaselessly at Srisailam.
श्रीशैलशिखरे देवि दृष्टे शैले शुभप्रदे। ज्योतिर्लिङ्गं महादेवं मल्लिकार्जुनमीश्वरम्॥
On the auspicious peak of Srisailam, I behold the radiant Jyotirlinga of the great Lord Mallikarjuna Ishwara — a verse from the Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram.
ॐ श्री मल्लिकार्जुनाय नमः
Om Shri Mallikarjunaya Namah — Salutations to the sacred Mallikarjuna, the Lord adorned with jasmine. The primary moola mantra of this Jyotirlinga.