The Srisailam road trip guide offers information about Srisailam, the significance of Bhramaramba shrine, the legend of the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple, places to visit, the best time to travel, how to get there, where to stay and travel tips.

Srisailam, a city in Andhra Pradesh, is one of the twelve jyotirlingas and a shaktipeeth.

It is one of the few places having Shiva (Mallikarjuna Swamy temple)and Parvati (Bhramaramba temple) shrines.

The Srisailam Temple is a large complex housing various shrines.

It has two main temples – the Mallikarjuna (Shiva Linga) shrine and the Bhramaramba (Parvati) temple.

It is known as Mallikarjuna Swamy temple because Arjuna is another name for Shiva, and in Telugu, Mallika means Jasmine, used to worship Shiva.

In the temple complex are other smaller shrines of Annapurna devi, different forms of Shiva Linga and other deities.

Here you can also see the statue of Shivaji Maharaj receiving a sword from a goddess.

LEGEND OF MALLIKARJUNA SWAMY TEMPLE

Each of the twelve jyotirlingas has a legend, and so does Srisailam Jyotirlinga.

Silada Maharshi did Tapasya in the name of Shiva. It pleased Shiva and blessed him with two sons.

Silada Maharshi named his sons Nandi and Parvat. The brothers followed in their father’s footsteps and worshipped and prayed to Lord Shiva.

One of the sons, Parvat, did Tapasya in the name of Shiva.

Pleased with his Tapasya, Shiva granted him a wish.

Parvat asked to be a mountain like Mount Kailash, where Lord Shiva, holy rivers, Rishi-munis, flora and fauna lived.

Lord Shiva was pleased with him and turned him into a mountain, Srisailam.

Lord Shiva resides in Srisailam in the form of a Linga.

LEGEND OF BHRAMARAMBA DEVI

A few feet from the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple is the Bhramaramba temple of goddess Parvati.

According to legend, a demon named Arunasura worshipped in the name of Gayatri Devi and wished for immortality.

Gayatri Devi replied she couldn’t grant such a wish, and it was in the hands of Lord Brahma.

Arunasura began his Tapasya to Brahma. Pleased with Arunasura’s devotion, Lord Brahma asked about his wish, to which he replied, immortality.

Brahma asked Arunasura to change his wish because granting immortality was against the universal laws.

Arunasura then wished that he be undefeated against two and four-legged creatures.

Brahma granted him his wish.

The demon thought he was invincible and terrorised everyone, including the gods.

The gods went to Shiva and Parvati for help.

Goddess Parvati transformed into thousands of bees (Bhramaramba) and killed Arunasura.

The gods requested Parvati to transform into Bhramaramba in her favourite place.

Parvati chose Srisailam.

Since then, devotees travel to Srisailam to seek the blessing of Goddess Parvati.

BHRAMARAMBA MALLIKARJUNA TEMPLE DARSHAN

The Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna temple is a large complex with four gopuras, shrines of Mallikarjuna, Bhramaramba, Annapurna devi and other gods.

Of the four gopuras, only two are open to the public for entry and exit.

There are four types of darshan lines – free, Rs.150 darshan line, Rs.300 line and VIP Rs.500 queue.

The free line is long and takes a couple of hours for darshan.

The Rs.300 and Rs.500 lines are VIP queues, and entry is available only after 10 am.

If you want to see the Shiva Linga up close, buy the Rs.500 ticket because it is the closest to the Linga, then the Rs.300 line and finally, the free darshan queue.

From Tuesday to Friday, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Sparsh darshan takes place when devotees can you the Shiva Linga.

TRAVEL TIP:- Keep your tickets in hand when entering the temple because you will need them to join your respective lines.

You can buy tickets from the counter at the free darshan entry gate or book them online.

TIMINGS:- The temple is open daily from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm.

TRAVEL TIP:- If you want to buy Prasad, buy a coupon at the counter and then join another long queue to get the Prasad.

NOTE:- Visit the Bhramaramba temple last because that’s where the exit is.

SRISAILAM TEMPLE DOs AND DON’Ts

Srisailam is a highly revered sacred pilgrim centre.

Like most south Indian temples, Srisailam has a few rules visitors should follow.

• The temple has a strict dress code. Men and women should cover their shoulders and knees when entering the temple. That means no shorts, jeans, crop tops and sleeveless dresses. Men should wear a kurta, pyjama, dhoti or lungi. Women should wear a sari or long skirt with a blouse and dupatta or salwar and dupatta.
• Shoes, mobile phones, cameras, and drones aren’t allowed inside the temple complex. You have to store them in the lockers outside the temple. I don’t understand this rule because women were carrying handbags inside.
• Those who book their tickets online should carry their registered identification.

PLACES TO VISIT IN SRISAILAM

SHAKSHI GANESH TEMPLE

This temple is en route to Srisailam temple.

The Shakshi Ganapati represents time.

The black stone statue is of Ganapati sitting and writing.

It is known as the Shakshi Ganapati because devotees believe he writes down the names of the visitors and observes their good and bad deeds.

Entry to the temple is free.

PATHAL GANGA

Pathal Ganga refers to the Krishna River’s backwaters and is 1 km from Srisailam temple.

To reach the backwaters, you have to descend 500 steps.

The place where the river flows through the plains is purest at this point, and devotees bathe in the sacred Pathal Ganga.

NOTE:- Chains line the end of the steps.

Besides being a sacred spot, it is also a tourist place.

From here, you can see the Srisailam Dam and reservoir.

BOATING AND ROPEWAY

Boating on the Krishna River and taking the ropeway to Pathal Ganga are must-do activities in Srisailam.

The ropeway runs between Srisailam town and Pathal Ganga.

During the ride, enjoy sprawling views of the Nallamala forest, Krishna River and the dam.

ROPEWAY TIMINGS:- The ropeway is open daily from 6 am to 12:45 pm and reopens from 1:45 pm to 5:30 pm.

ROPEWAY TICKETS:- A single roundtrip ticket costs Rs.80 for adults and Rs.60 for children ( 3 to 10 years old).

Boating on the Krishna River is another must-do activity in Srisailam.

There are two types of boat rides- on the dam and to Akkamahadevi caves.

Akkamahadevi caves have a naturally formed Shiva Linga.

It is a one-hour boat ride from Srisailam.

TRAVEL TIP:- If you are claustrophobic or afraid of the dark and bats, avoid visiting the Akkamahadevi caves because they are narrow and deep.

During my visit, boating and ropeway services were closed due to bad weather conditions.

However, you can still drive down to the river.

A small road leads to the river bank where you can enjoy a small riverside picnic or play in the water.

Also, there are several places along the road to Srisailam from where you can view the Srisailam Dam and reservoir.

BOATING TIMINGS:- Boating to the dam is open from 9 am to 5 pm and from 9 am to 11:00 am for Akkamahadevi caves.

BOATING TICKETS:- A single ticket for a boat ride to the dam costs Rs.80 for adults and Rs. 60 for children. For Akkamahadevi caves, a single ticket costs Rs. 550 for adults and Rs.420 for children.

SRISAILAM JUNGLE SAFARI

The Nallamala forest is home to blackbuck, sambar deer, tigers, sloth bears and other animals.

The Srisailam tiger reserve lies on the road to the city.

You will see a large gateway announcing the beginning of the Srisailam tiger reserve.

I was in Pench for three days a week before and wasn’t in the mood for any more safaris, and I was short of time.

Since the Srisailam tiger reserve isn’t as known as other National Parks, the chances of spotting tigers and other wild animals are high.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:- Tiger habitats will be closed from 1st July to 30th September this year.

That concludes the list of places to visit in and around Srisailam.

BEST TIME TO VISIT SRISAILAM

In this section of the Srisailam road trip guide, know the best time to travel to Srisailam.

Srisailam has a tropical climate and experiences three seasons- summer, monsoon and winter.

March to May are the summer months.

Srisailam experiences hot and humid summers, the highest temperature is 40°, and the lowest is 30°.

June to September is the monsoon season.

Monsoon months are the low season and great for budget travellers.

Srisailam receives heavy rainfall, and the temperature drops drastically.

NOTE:- Boating and ropeway services may be closed because of heavy rainfall.

The best time to travel to Srisailam is in winter, from October to February, because the temperature drops to 14° and the weather is pleasant.

Winter months are the peak season, meaning large crowds, long queues and astronomical hotel prices.

February receives the most crowds because of Mahashivratri. So, avoid Srisailam during this time unless you have pre-booked your hotel and VIP darshan tickets.

I travelled to Srisailam at the end of June, and it was still hot and humid but no rainfall.

Monsoon months are supposed to be low season, but that was not the case.

Despite visiting on a weekday, the temple was overflowing with devotees, and even VIP darshan took one hour.

If this is what low season looks like, I can’t imagine what peak season must be like.

HOW TO REACH SRISAILAM FROM PUNE BY ROAD?

Srisailam is 762 km from Pune and is a 14-hour drive, and the toll fee for a roundtrip is Rs.2,440.

You can drive from Pune to Srisailam in one day.

I left Pune at 5 am and reached Srisailam at 5 pm.

The Pune – Solapur highway and the Hyderabad outer ring road connect Pune to Srisailam.

The road conditions are good up to Solapur, but beyond Solapur, the road is under construction for a short distance.

After the rough patch, the highways are excellent.

The ghat section to Srisailam is narrow and has blind turns, so drive carefully.

TRAVEL TIP- Pista House and Paradise have branches on the highway near the Hyderabad outer ring road, so you can eat delicious biryani without visiting Hyderabad.

WHERE TO STAY IN SRISAILAM?

Srisailam is a small city having limited accommodations, mostly Dharamshala, government quarters, and a few hotels.

No worries, new hotels are being constructed.

I stayed at Hotel Hilltop Mrugavani.

NOTE:- They have another branch near the Srisailam tiger reserve called the Transit Mrugavani in Mannaur.

The hotel is a 45-minute scenic drive to the Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna temple.

Hotel Hilltop Mrugavani is on a cliffside overlooking the Krishna River, and on the opposite mountain, Pathal Ganga and the Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna temple are visible.

The rooms are spacious and can accommodate 4-5 people, and the bathrooms are clean and have a geyser for hot water.

They also have an in-house restaurant, but it is slightly pricey, and since there are no other eateries nearby, you have to dine here.

Overall it is an excellent place to stay with family when visiting Srisailam.

TRAVEL TIP:- Pre-book your rooms even during low season because it is one of the few good hotels in the area, and rooms are unavailable.

CONCLUSION

That concludes the Srisailam road trip guide.

To summarise the article, the Srisailam road trip guide includes information about Srisailam, the significance of Bhramaramba shrine, the legend of the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple, places to visit, the best time to travel, how to get there, where to stay and travel tips.

I hope the Srisailam road trip guide was helpful, and if I missed something or you have any queries, let me know in the comments.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust,

Collecting memories.
One destination at a time.

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