Tirth Yatra GuideMallikarjuna jyotirlinga
Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh: the story, the temple and what to know before you go.
About Mallikarjuna
- Place
- Srisailam, on the Nallamala hills above the Krishna river
- District and state
- Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh
- Deity
- Shiva, as a jyotirlinga (a column of light)
At Srisailam, Shiva is worshipped as Mallikarjuna together with Parvati as Bhramaramba. The place is also counted among the Shakti Peethas in some lists, which makes it one of the few shrines that are important in both traditions. The name Mallikarjuna is explained as "Shiva with jasmine (mallika)" for the flowers offered to him.
The story told is that Kartikeya, upset after a quarrel with his brother Ganesha over who would marry first, went off to the Krauncha mountain; his parents followed him here. Srisailam is a hill forest area with a tiger reserve and the Srisailam reservoir on the Krishna.
Getting there and when to go
The nearest large cities are Hyderabad and Kurnool, and the temple is reached by road; buses and private cars go through the forest. Winter is the better season. Please check the official temple site for the rules on dress and darshan.
Read our guide to planning a yatra and the notes on temple etiquette. This is jyotirlinga number 2 in the usual list of twelve; see all twelve.
Previous: Somnath · Next: Mahakaleshwar
Questions people ask
Where is Mallikarjuna?
Srisailam, on the Nallamala hills above the Krishna river, in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh.
What is a jyotirlinga?
A jyotirlinga, "lingam of light", is a place where Shiva is believed to have appeared as a column of light. Twelve are named in the Shiva Purana tradition.
Temple rules, opening seasons, booking arrangements and routes change. Before you travel, check the official website of the temple or the state tourism board, and be careful of anyone who asks for money to book darshan or a stay by phone or message. We do not sell tours or packages. Information on this page was last checked in November 2026.