Srisailam - The Abode Of Deity Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy:- Set on a lofty natural setting on the banks of the River Krishna, Srisailam is a celebrated hill town located in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. The place is identified with its many ancient temples including a Jyotirlinga, a wildlife sanctuary and a dam.
Sirsailam is a must visit if you are looking for a vacation which is peaceful, quiet and where the calmness can refresh your senses. By visiting the many majestic temples in the city such as the one dedicated to Lord Shiva (it is renowned as Sikhareswara Swamy temple) or the famous Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple, you could seek the blessings of the almighty. The Nallamala forest ranges with densely woody trees and multifarious flora and fauna lie in close proximity to the Srisailam hills.
- Best Time To Visit
October to February offers best climate for tourist activities and pilgrimage. The season is good to visit Srisailam Sanctuary. June to September is good for temple visits and short trips. It is advisable to keep a watch on weather predictions and warnings.
- How To Reach
The nearest airport from Srisailam is about 195 km in Hyderabad, i.e. the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. There are buses connecting the town with Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntur and Kurnool. Ensure that the driver has experience driving in ghat sections, if you are hiring a private taxi. Nearby railway stations are at Marakpur (62 km), Vinukonda (120 km) and Kurnool (190 km).
There is no direct rail connectivity to Srisailam. The nearest railway station is in Cumbum district, which is some 60 km. away from Srisailam. You can get a regular passenger as well as express trains from Cumbum for Srisailam.
Top Seven Places To Visit In Srisailam
A) Patala Ganga
(Image Source: Trawell.in)
As the River Krishna turns down hill, it is surrounded by a certain spirituality in the air. Enjoy the sceneries around you and take a dip into these sacred waters, believed to have medicinal properties for healing skin diseases.
One can also try the enjoyable ropeway car ride and look down at the majestic river and lush green beauty all around.
B) Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
The Srisailam town is known for the Mallikarjuna Sway temple, which is located on the southern bank of River Krishna. The temple finds it roots 6 centuries in history, when it was built by King Harihara Raya of Vijayanagar.
According to the legends, Goddess Parvati cursed sage Bringi to stand, as he only worshiped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, after consoling the goddess, gave him a third leg, so that he could stand more comfortably. Find the idol of sage Bringi standing on three legs here as well as idols of Nandi, Sahasralinga and Nataraja.
The walls and pillars of the temples are also adorned by beautiful carvings and sculptures. One of the most beautiful temples of the town, located on the Nallamala hills, that one should not miss while here.
- Open Time: All days of the week-3:30AM-3:30PM and 6:00PM-8:30PM
C) Srisailam Tiger Reserve
The total area of this tiger reserve is 3568 acres, making it one of the largest tiger reserves in India. Also located in the reserve area are the Srisailam Dam and Nagarjunasagar Dam.
Apart from the Tiger, one can spot here, leopards, sloth bears, dhol, Indian Pangolin, Chital, Sambar deer, Chevrotain, Blackbuck, Chinkara, and Chowsingha. There are other reptiles and amphibians also found in this area including crocodile, Indian Python, Kind Cobra and Indian peafowl.
(Image Source: Alchetron)
In the down waters of Srisailam Dam, one also finds a number of crocodiles, where a breeding programme, supported by the local government is being carried out.
- Open Time: All days of the week-7:00AM-6:00PM
D) Akkamahadevi Caves
To reach the Akkamahadevi Caves, take a boat ride through the Krishna River with sceneries, forests and hills all around. Since these caves are usually pitch dark inside, it is recommended to carry a few torches or candles.
One can find a sacred Shiva Linga inside the caves, immersed in the darkness.
- Open Time: Boat ride starts at around 10:30AM.
E) Srisailam Dam
The Srisailam Dam is also one of the 12 largest hydroelectric projects in India and something one must not miss, while here, as it is one of the main centers of attraction for the town.
Across the Krishna River and overlooking the Nallamala woods, is the sprawling Srisailam Dam. Built over the unforgiving verve of the River Krishna, the dam is nestled in a deep canyon, surrounded by forests and sceneries, finding a home in the sound of gushing and falling water.
- Open Time: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
F) Bhramaramba Devi Temple
The Bhramaramba Devi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Parvati is located on the banks of River Krishna, over the Nallamala hills. The complex is inside the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple itself.
(Image Source: Temples of India)
Bhramaramba literally translates into “Mother of bees”, and is a form of Goddess Parvati, who took the form of a bee to worship Lord Shiva in one of his forms, Mallikarjuna.
(Image Source: Temples of India)
The temple is also one of the Shakti Peeths of India and finds itself immersed in immense festivity and a huge crowd of devotees on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
G) Phaladhara Panchadhara
(Image Source: TripAdvisor)
This most beautiful scene spot in surroundings of Srisailam is Phaladhara Panchadhara. It is located about 4 Km from the main temple.
Bhagavan Adisankara performed penance at this place and composed the famous Sivanandalahari here. His Holiness Kanchi Paramacharya confirmed this and marble statues of Sarada Devi and Sankaracharya installed there and daily regular Poojas are being offered also.
This spot is located in a narrow valley approachable by a flight of steps where subterranean streams of pure water with musical sound reverberating the surroundings.
According to local folk these streams are known as Phaladhara Panchadhara and these two signify their origin from the fore head of God Siva the Phaladhara (Phala = fore head, dhara = Stream) and denote the five aspects of Siva, the Panchadhara (Pancha = five, dhara = Stream). The water from this stream flows in interrupted at all seasons. The Skanda Purana describes the flow as Bhogavathiï and it joins in the river Krishna.
- Other Places To Visit In Srisailam
- Shikaresvara Temple
- Lingala Gattu
- Hemareddy Mallamma Temple
- Sakshi Ganapati Temple
- Chenchu lakshmi Tribal Museum
- Hathakesvara Temple
SUPRAJA
