HISTORY:
The temple abounds in sculptural beauty and there are about 116 inscriptions in and around it. It is associated historically with such great rulers as the Chalukyan kings, Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara and Chatrapati Shivaji. Adi Shankara is also said to have worshipped the deity at the temple.
This temple, apart from the main Shiva Linga in the gharbhalayam has a lot of other Shiva Lingas placed in and around the temple. The Vruddha Mallikarjuna Linga is also worshipped with equal importance. One can find group of students who recite the holy chantings of Namakam - Chamakam and other vedas in the temple premisis. This temple has 4 gates ( Dwarams ) to enter into it. Once you exit from the Main temple you will find a way to entrence of Godess Bhramarambhika's temple. It stands at a height and one has to climb few stairs to reach it. This temple is condidered as one of the Shakthi Peethams in India.
Every day lot of pilgrims perform Abhishekams of Lord Shiva on the Shiva Lingams in the Main temple as well as the Lingams that are present outside. Performing Abhishekam of the lord is condidered a holy act there.
The Buddhist pilgrims, Fahiyan and Hieun T`sang have made references to the Sriparvata hill, which is in the Nagarjunakonda valley of the same river Krishna. The sanctity of this place is claimed both by the Hindus as well as by the Buddhists.
FESTIVALS:
Maha Shivaratri festival, celebrated at Srisailam, is of all-India importance. This festival usually falls in the month of February-March and is a time to solemnly invoke Lord Shiva through fasts and chants. Lakhs of pilgrims throng to worship the deity and have a holy dip in the river Krishna known as the Pathala Ganga.
Dasara Navaratri celebrations are also an excellent time to visit this place. The temple organizes a lot of festivities during those 9 days and special poojas are performed on the godess Braharambha. During this period different Muths like the Shankara Mutt, Sharada Peetham, Kanchi Mutt organize special poojas and pilgrims specially come to attend and participate in it.
Apart from all these, the Mantra Pushpam which is read in Godess Bhramarambhika Devi's Temple in the closing hours during these Navaratri days is worth watching.
"Goddess Bhramaramba" whose festivals come a month or two after Shivarathri attracts even larger crowds consisting of 'Lingayats'. Goddess Bhramarambika is said to be one of the eighteen leading 'Shaktis' of India.
Pooja schedule
Suprabhatha Seva & ViswarupaDarshanam:5:00am
Mahamangala Harathi:6.00am
Darshanam, Poojas:6.30amto 12.30 pm
Dooradarshnam:1.15pm to 3.30 pm
Susandhyam, Mahamangala Harathi:5.20pm to 5.45pm
Best time to visit
Any time between the months of October to March. October for the Dasara Navaratri Utsavams and Feb / March for Maha Shivratri are famous.
Places of Interest
Srisailam has a lot of places to watch. The drive through the forest itself is amazing. After reaching the Dam site one will have
Srisailam Dam - The Dam looks great when the gates are Open. APTDC has arranged a rope way from one side to reach the river. Its worth a ride
Sakshi Ganapathi Temple
Tribal Crafts Museum
Ista Kameswari Temple - The drive through for reaching this temple is said to be very adventerous as only 4x4 jeeps can only take one there.
Akka Mahadevi Caves - One has to take a Motor boat to reach there.
Paladhara - Panchadara
HOW TO GO
Road distances from Srisailam are Atmakur (113 km), Anantapur (325 km), Bangalore (538 km), Mumbai (971 km), Calcutta (1491 km), Delhi (1685 km), Dornal (49 km), Hyderabad (232 km), kurnool (180 km), chennai (568 km), Nagarjuna sagar (180 km), Nandyal (158 km), Tirupathi (436 km), Vijayawada (248 km), Visakhapatnam (614 km)
Rail
Nearest railhead is Markapur on Guntur-Hubli line. Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Kurnool, Nandyal are also convenient railheads.
Air
The nearest airport is at Hyderabad(232 km) which is air linked with Bangalore, Bhuvaneswar, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Nagpur, culcutta and other major cities. Continental Aviation also connects with Hyderabad.
Bus services
Srisailam is well connected with APSRTC and AP tourism buses from kurnool, Hyderabab, Mahaboobnagar, Nalgonda, Devarakonda, Guntur, Vijayawada, Ongole, Mahanandi, Mantralayam, Anantapur etc. some Karnataka state buses have daily trips from Hubli, Mysore, Raichur, Dharwad, Sholapur Etc.
Local transport
Local busses and private hire vehicles available.
Local Attractions
Dindi Reservoir (64 km), Sangameswar (18 km), Mahanandi, Belum Caves.
ACCOMODATION:
There are excellent Choultries built by the Temple Devasthanam, in which poor pilgrims can stay free of cost. Cottages and guesthouses, with all amenities are also available over here. Various trusts have built choultries which provide food and accomodation for the pilgrims who visit this holy place.
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