SRI MALLIKARJUNA JYOTIRLINGAM
“Jaya Mallikarjuna! Jai Mallikarjuna”
Srisailam is located in Kurnool district of Andhra
Pradesh. This whole area is full of forests of Kadali, Bilva trees, mountain ranges and Patalaganga (Krishnaveni
river). All of them echo from these joyous voices of devotees.
History
of Srisailam
Temple
1. When Kumar Kartikeya returned to Kailash after completing his trip around the
earth, he heard about Ganesha’s marriage from Narada. This angered him. In spite of being
restrained by his parents, he touched their feet in obeisance and left for Krounch
Mountain. Parvati was
very distraught at having to be away from her son, implored Lord Shiva to look
for their son. Together, they went to Kumara. But, Kumara went away a further
three Yojanas,
after learning about his parents coming after him to Krouncha
Mountain. Before embarking on a further search for their son on each mountain,
they decided to leave a light on every mountain they visited. From that day,
that place came to be known as JyotirLinga Mallikarjuna. It is believed that Shiva and Parvati
visit this palce on Amavasya (No
moon day) and (full Moon day) Pournami, respectively. Visiting this JyotirLinag not
only blesses one with innumerable wealth, but also name and fame and fulfils
all the desires.
2. Once, a princess named Chandravati
decided to go to the Jungles to do penance and meditation. She chose Kadali Vana for
this purpose. One day, she witnessed a miracle. A Kapila cow
was standing under a Bilwa tree and milk was flowing from all of its four udders,
sinking into the ground. The cow kept doing this as a routine chore everyday. Chandravati dug
up that area and was dumb founded at what she saw. There was a self-raising Swyambhu SivaLinga. It
was bright and shining like the sun rays, and looked like it was burning,
throwing flames in all directions. Chandravati prayed to Siva in this JyotirLinga.
She built a huge Shiva Temple there. Lord Shankara was very pleased with her. Chandravati
went to Kailash
wind borne. She received salvation and Mukti. On one of the stone-inscriptions of the
temple, Chandravati’s
story can be seen carved out.
Jyotirlinga
:
As per Siva Mahapuranam,
once Brahma (the Hindu God of creation) and Vishnu (the
Hindu God of saving) had an argument in terms of supremacy of creation. To test them, Shiva pierced the three
worlds as a huge endless pillar of light, the jyotirlinga. Vishnu and Brahma split their ways to downwards and upwards
respectively to find the end of the light in either directions. Brahma lied
that he found out the end, while Vishnu conceded his defeat. Shiva appeared as
a second pillar of light and cursed Brahma that he would have no place in
ceremonies while Vishnu would be worshipped till the end of eternity. The jyotirlinga is the supreme partless reality, out of which Shiva partly appears.
The jyotirlinga shrines, thus are places where Shiva appeared as a
fiery column of light.
Story:
When Shiva and Parvthi
decided to
find suitable brides for their sons, Ganesha and kartikeya argued as to who is to get wedded first. Lord
Shiva bade that the one who goes round the world in Pradakshinam
could get married first. By the time Lord Kartikeya could go round the world on his vahana,
Lord Ganesha
went round his parents 7 times (for according to Shastras, going in pradakshinam
round one's parents is equivalent to going once round the world (Bhupradakshinam).
Lord Siva got Buddhi(intellect), Siddhi (spiritual power), and Riddhi (prosperity) married to Lord Ganesha. Kartikeya
on his return was enraged and went away to stay alone on Mount Kravunja in
the name of Kumarabrahmachari. On
seeing his father coming over to pacify him, he tried to move to another place,
but on the request of the Devas, stayed close by. The place where Lord Siva and Parvati
stayed came to be known as Shrishailam. Lord Siva visits Lord Kartikeya on Amavasya day & Parvati Devi on Poornima. The temple is situated facing East. The
center mandapam has
several pillars, with a huge idol of Nadikeshwara.
Mahashivratri is the main festival celebrated at Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy
temple.
SHILPAS AT SRISAILAM
The Holy Shrine of Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy as a Sakti Peeth
Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy
Temple is one of the 18 Maha Sakti Peetha. The mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati's self immolation resulted in the emergence of SriParvati in the
place of Sati Devi and making Shiva a house holder. This mythology is
the story behind the origin of Sakti Peethas. They are holy abodes of Sakti
formed due
the falling of Sati Devi's corpse when Shiva carried it and wandered. It is
believed that Sati Devi's Upper lip has fallen here.
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