Hemareddy Mallamma Temple (Kannada: ಹೇಮರೆಡ್ಡಿ ಮಲ್ಲಮ್ಮನ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ) at Srisailam is a newly created temple in Srisailam. It was originally called Hemaraddimallama Kaneeru ("where the holy water flows"). The temple was constructed by Veerashaiva Reddy Samaj and was inaugurated on 26 May 2010 by Konijeti Rosaiah, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.
This 14th century story is from the book From The History of Srisailam, pages 32 and 33. At that time there lived a couple, Nagireddy and Gouamma, in Ramapuram near Srisailam. They were very rich and belonged to the Veerashaiva religion. They always helped others, but they did not have any children, which made them very unhappy. To fulfill their desire, they went to Srisailam Malikarjuna Swamy on Sivarathri and worshiped wholeheartedly.
One night, Mallikarjuna Swamy appeared in Nagireddy's dream and said that a devoted daughter would be born to them. He said about this to his wife and felt very happy. In the morning he performed the pooja as usual and left for town.
After some time, a daughter was born; he named her after Mallamma, as she was gift of Mallikarjuna. They brought up her with all care and love. From childhood Mallamma devoted herself to Shiva which made her parents happy.
When Mallamma grew old enough, her parents decided to join her in marriage with Baramareddy, who was the son of Hemareddy, a rich man of Siddhapuram.
After the arrival of Mallamma in her in-laws' house, the wealth and glory started increasing. As she had learned charity from childhood, she helped the poor and needy in her in-laws' house also. Unable to tolerate this, her sister-in-law, Nagamma, who was very rude, told her mother-in-law about Mallamma. Her mother-in-law, who was also rude, started ill-treating her. She asked her to do all the hard work, but Mallamma never stopped worshiping Lord Shiva amidst her problems. They started sending her to herd the cows, where she also gave Siva pooja. Then they told Baramanna about Mallama's character and forced her to kill Mallamma. When Baramanna saw her worshiping Mallikarjuna Swamy, who came to her as sage, he dropped his knife. Mallamma pleased all her family members with her devotions to Lord Siva and went about the country preaching Shivatathvam and finally reached the presence of Siva.
In Srisailam Mahakshettram, even today we can find the cow shed of Mallamma at the back of Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple. The water flowing near Mallamma's statue is said to be her tears and is described as the holy River Bindu in Srisailam Khadam of Scandapuranam.
Mallamma's statue is in the Vayuvya corner of Mandapam receives poojas daily.
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