Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga, also known as the Shrishail Mallikarjun Temple, is situated at the Nallamala Hills at Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and eleven Shakti Pithas. It was during the Ramayana and Mahabharata periods that Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga gained recognition. It blends the stunning beauty of the Dravidian and Chalukyan architecture, crafted with true stone craftsmanship. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are divinely represented by the temple’s dual Mallikarjun Shivling. The dual lingam inside the temple is a symbol of strong relationships and to cure the hardships. If you want to know how to reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, then you have come to the right place. In this blog, you will explore How To Reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, its interesting facts, things to do inside and near the temple, and much more.
How to Reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga:
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga can be reached by road, train, and airplane. In this section of the blog, we will explore all three ways to reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga. These are the steps to get to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga:
1) How to Reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga by Railways:
The nearest Railway station to the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple is the Markarpur Railway Station, at a distance of 84 km from the temple. If you wish to travel by train, then you can book your reservation to the Markarpur Railway Station. After reaching the Markarpur station, you can book a taxi to reach Srisailam, where the Mallikarjuna temple is situated.
1.1) Direct Route of Trains to Markarpur:
If you wish to travel to Markarpur from Kolkata, then you can take the Amravati Express. It runs from the Shalimar station of West Bengal to Markarpur Station four days a week.
The Kondaveedu Express train is an option if you choose to begin your trip from Bangalore or one of the other Karnataka cities. With this train, your journey starts from the Yesvantpur Junction and reaches Markarpur Railway Station, covering Yelahanka, Penukonda, and Dharmavaram stations.
1.2) Indirect Route of Trains to Markarpur:
If the tourists are starting their journey from North India, then you can reach Srisailam by breaking their journey into two parts. From your hometown, you can reach either Bhuvaneshwar, Odisha, or the Shalimar Station of West Bengal. From there, you can take the Amravati Express, which drops you off at the Markarpur Station. From there, you can hire a taxi or a bus to reach the temple.
If you are travelling from South India, then you have to come to Bangalore first. Then you can start your journey directly to the Markarpur station from the Kondaveedu Express train.
2) How to Reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga by Air:
The nearest airport to the Divine Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport or Kurnool Airport, which is also known as the Narasimha Reddy Airport. The distance from Kurnool Airport to Srisailam is 190 km. On the other hand, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is 197 kilometers away from Srisailam.
Kurnool Airport is another airport located near the temple. It is a domestic Airport of Andhra Pradesh and has connectivity with major domestic airports, such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, West Bengal, Lucknow, Pune, Bangalore, and Chennai.
3) How to Reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga by Road:
Like the rails and the air, Srisailam has excellent road connections. You can travel to Mallikarjuna Temple by roadways also without any hassle. Let’s move on and explore the roadmap to reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga:
- Once you reach the Markarpur Railway Station, from there you can take any APSRTC Buses that run daily from the railway station to Srisailam.
- It took only 3 hours to reach Srisailam from Markarpur station.
- This bus route has a general fare of Rs 700. Bus tickets can also be purchased online.
- If you wish to cover your journey to the temple luxuriously, then you can book a private bus service online. All the AC and Non-AC private buses travel from Hyderabad to Srisailam directly.
- The fare for the private bus journey is between INR 500 to 800 per person for the AC and Non-AC buses, depending on your choice.
Things to do in Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
1) Darshan at the Main Temple:
Be mesmerized by the devotion of Shiva and Parvati Mata’s Dual Lingam when you enter the main temple of Mallikarjuna, also known as the Garbha Griha. Quite visible dual lingam and the beautiful architecture of the temple take you to the real world of Shiva and Parvati. It feels like everything is positioned in one place.
2) Worship in the Evening Aartis:
Experience the supernatural power at the time of Evening Aartis at the temple. When the temple lights glow, temple pujaris chant various spiritual mantras, and lamp lighting at the time of Aarti takes you to another world of spirituality. It’s a magical synchronization of the lights, sounds, and the fresh air of the temple at the time of Evening Aartis. Soak yourself in some positive energy by indulging in the evening Aarti of the temple.
3) Take a Holy Bath in Temple Tanks:
Enjoy the holy bath in the Batasha Kamma or Chakratirtha Kamma, the well-known bathing pools of Mallikarjuna Temple, once you arrive at the temple. It is believed that after bathing in these two tanks, it clears your mind and heart. You become clear in your thoughts and filled with utter positivity. Don’t forget to keep your dry and clean clothes for changing.
4) Take a look at the Temple Halls:
Besides the main Garbha Griha, the temple has beautiful halls carved from stone. On those carved stone walls, various inscriptions, sculptures, and detailed architectural carvings depict Shiva, Parvati, and the other “Devtas”. They are quite spiritual and full of history.
5) Climb The Pigeon Hill:
Right next to the main shrine is a little hill called Pigeon Hill. Take a slow walk up and soak in the stunning views of the temple surrounded by mountains. You’ll see flocks of pigeons flying around, and somehow, their graceful flight adds a peaceful, almost spiritual feeling to the place.
6) A Quick Tour to Parvati Mandapam:
Parvati Mandapam is another spot worth visiting. Dedicated to Goddess Parvati, it’s calm, beautiful, and far less crowded than the main shrine. The gentle atmosphere, fresh flowers, and divine energy make it a lovely place to sit, pray, or just enjoy the peace.
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Interesting Facts About Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga:
Some of the Interesting Facts about Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga are mentioned above:
- Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is famous for having shrines dedicated to Shakti Devi, along with its sacred Jyotirlinga. Only three other temples in India have similar or greater significance.
- Devotees believe Lord Shiva appeared here with the face of Arjuna on Amavasya (no-moon night).
- The temple was named Mallikarjuna as a mark of respect for Lord Shiva.
- The temple is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with intricate designs that attract visitors again and again.
- People believe visiting the temple brings them wealth, good health, and blessings for their family and loved ones.
- The Rajputana Mallikarjuna Sanctuary is beautifully built, attracting everyone’s attention with its regal design
- Its strong walls look like those of a fort and feature intricate statue carvings.
- The sanctuary follows the Dravidian style of architecture, with tall towers and spacious courtyards.
- Many scholars consider it one of the finest examples of Vijayanagar architecture.
Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga Ticket Prices and Darshan Timings:
At 4:30 AM in the morning, the Mallikarjuna Temple opens. The temple opens its doors early morning, and after that temple opens and closes several times according to the Temple Timings. If you are planning to visit Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga, then you have to plan your visit accordingly. Besides this, the temple offers several VIP darshans, including the Sparsh Darshan in the temple. You have to book tickets online if you wish to do VIP darshan at the Mallikarjun Temple. In this section of the blog, here is a complete breakdown of the Darshan Timings and the Ticket Prices of several VIP darshans at the temple:
Mallikarjuna Temple Timings:
- Opening at 4:30 AM, the Mallikarjuna Temple is open till midday. If you want to do worship peacefully in a quiet environment, then you may head towards the temple in the early morning.
- The temple reopens at 4 PM. At this time, temple pujaris are preparing for the night aartis and rituals.
- The Mallikarjuna temple opens till 9 PM. From 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, all the VIP darshan and rituals took place.
Mallikarjuna Temple VIP Darshan Timings and Ticket Price:
There are 3 types of VIP darshans at the Mallikarjuna Temple that are mentioned below:
| VIP DARSHAN NAME | VIP DARSHAN TIMINGS | TICKET PRICE OF VIP DARSHAN |
| Athiseeghra darshanam | 4 PM to 5 PM | Rs 300 per person |
| Seeghra darshanam | 6 PM to 7 PM | Rs 150 Per person |
| Sparsha darshanam (Only a Single Person is allowed) | 7 PM to 8 PM | Rs 500 Per Person |
You can book the tickets for the VIP darshans from the website srisailadevasthanam.org/. You must have the Aadhar Card or Voter ID card at the time of booking. Please note that once the ticket is booked, it cannot be cancelled or refunded.
Best Places to Explore Near Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga:
Once you complete your darshan at the temple then you can also explore the hidden gems of Srisailam.In addition to the temple, Srisailam is teeming with wildlife and breathtaking natural settings. It gives you a complete vibe of the hill station. Here are some best places to explore near Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga:
- Srisailam Dam– This enormous hydroelectric dam, which is only 14 km distant, is stunning, especially during the monsoon season when the gates open. Standing near it makes you feel tiny. If you’re booking a Cab, ask for a stop here on your way back.
- Srisailam Tiger Reserve– If you love wildlife, then head to the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) for an early morning jungle ride. Let your cab driver handle the forest roads while you enjoy the adventure.
- Akkamahadevi Caves– Reach these ancient caves by boat, then take a short hike. Peaceful and historic, they’re linked to a saint who meditated here for years.
- Octopus Viewpoint– See the Krishna River twist and turn like an octopus from above. Come early in the morning to witness the enchanted mist over the ocean.
- Bhramaramba Devi Temple– Adjacent to the main shrine is a calm temple devoted to Goddess Parvati. Known as a Shakti Peetha, it’s filled with calming chants and divine energy.
Best Time to Visit Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
The best time to visit the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is in the winter season from October to February. As the winds become pleasant and ideal for sightseeing. You can also visit the nearby wildlife sanctuary in the winter season to see the beautiful nature and wild animals. Avoid visiting the temple during the month of Mahashivratri or the Sawan month. As the temple becomes overcrowded at that time.
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FAQS:
1) Where is the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple situated?
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple is situated at the Nallamala Hills at Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh.
2) Which is the nearest Railway station to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga?
Markarpur Railway Station is the nearest station to the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga.
3) Which is the nearest Airport to the Mallikarjuna temple?
Kurnool Airport and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport of Hyderabad are nearby airports to the Mallikarjuna temple.
