GujaratSomnath Jyotirlinga
Prabhas Patan, Gir Somnath, Gujarat
The first among the twelve Jyotirlingas, standing on the Arabian Sea coast at Prabhas Patan and rebuilt several times through history.
Best: Oct – Mar
Srisailam, Nandyal District, Andhra Pradesh
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga at Srisailam, in the Nallamala hills of Andhra Pradesh overlooking the Krishna river, is traditionally considered significant not only as a Jyotirlinga but also as one of the Shakti Peethas, where the goddess is worshipped as Bhramaramba.
About the Temple
The Srisailam temple complex is built in a fortified style with tall gopurams and stone corridors, reflecting centuries of patronage by successive South Indian dynasties. The presiding deities are Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Bhramaramba Devi, worshipped side by side within the same complex.
Spiritual Significance
Devotees traditionally regard a visit to Srisailam as combining two forms of pilgrimage in one journey — Jyotirlinga darshan and Shakti Peeth darshan — which is considered unusual and especially meaningful within the wider Shaiva and Shakta traditions.
Presented as religious and cultural tradition. See our spiritual & astrology disclaimer.
Important Traditions
- Maha Shivratri at Srisailam draws very large numbers of pilgrims across several days
- A cable car and ghat-road route both connect the temple town to the surrounding hills
- Ritual bathing in the Patala Ganga, the local name for the Krishna river at this point, before darshan
What Pilgrims Can Experience
- Darshan at the Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba shrines
- A visit to Patala Ganga on the banks of the Krishna river
- The Srisailam Dam and reservoir nearby, a popular scenic stop
- Akkamahadevi Caves, associated with a Kannada saint-poet, a short drive from the temple town
How to Reach
The nearest airports are Kurnool and Hyderabad, both requiring a further road journey; Markapur Road and Kurnool are the closest railheads, and Srisailam is connected by a scenic ghat road from Hyderabad, Kurnool and Nandyal.
Best Time to Visit
October to February for cooler weather, though the temple remains active through the monsoon season when the surrounding hills and reservoir are at their most scenic.
Practical Travel Notes
- • The ghat road can involve significant travel time — plan for a full day if travelling from Hyderabad
- • Srisailam falls within the Nagarjunsagar–Srisailam Tiger Reserve, so some forest-road sections have restricted night travel
- • Comfortable footwear is useful given the stone corridors and hill terrain
Nearby Sacred Places
- Srisailam Dam and Reservoir
- Akkamahadevi Caves
- Patala Ganga Ghat
Bharat Yatra Planning Assistance
Bharat Yatra Tour & Travels can help plan your journey to Mallikarjuna — route planning, transport, accommodation coordination and local travel support, tailored to your dates and group size. A dedicated tour package for this destination has not yet been published; contact us to discuss what's currently possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, according to tradition Srisailam is one of the few sites regarded as both a Jyotirlinga (Mallikarjuna) and a Shakti Peeth (Bhramaramba Devi), worshipped within the same temple complex.
Related Destinations
Gujarat
Madhya PradeshMahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
One of the few Jyotirlingas facing south, famed for its pre-dawn Bhasma Aarti and its place at the heart of Ujjain's pilgrimage circuit.
Best: Oct – Mar
Madhya PradeshOmkareshwar Jyotirlinga
Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh
An island temple on the Narmada river shaped, according to tradition, like the sacred symbol Om, and often paired with Mahakaleshwar in a single yatra.
Best: Oct – Mar