SRISAILAM - MALLIKARJUNA JYOTIRLINGA

As the divinity hovering over this Mokshapuri is lifting many god -- intoxicated, ever since Lord Maheswar at the request of bhaktas made this sacred hill as his permanent seat to liberating the Saranagathas in the too distant past, the pious terrestrials made the celestials descend down by their penance. It is one of the eight Sthanas of Lord Siva, who came down here to appease the causeless anger of his youngest son Subrahmanya, staying here and made it later his eternal abode, captivated by the unusual glory and picturesque ness of this lovely hills, shining like an emerald amidst the thick growth of primeval forests and to give succour to the devotees.

And it is here the devout princess Chandravathi worshipped Lord Siva with jasmine flowers that gave the august name of Mallikarjuna - white jasmine to the presiding deity of the temple; it is with a mere darsan of the sikhara of this shrine, one is released from the cycle of births and deaths; "Srisaila Sikhra Drushtvat Punarjanma Nalabhyate"; it is this region visited by Lord Siva once on hunting expedition with a chosen few of His Pramadaganas, when His chance acquaintance with a local Chenchu damsel consummated in wedlock, and so endearingly called Chenchu Mallayya by Chenchu tribe.

[ Up ] [ Next ]