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Sri Sailam
Temples of Andhra Pradesh
Abodes of Shiva >> Jyotirlinga Shrines

Significance: This is one of the greatest Saivite shrines in India and it constitutes one of the 12 Jyotirlingam shrines of Shiva.  The presiding deities here are Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Bhramaramba (Devi).

This is an ancient temple with fort like walls, towers and a rich endowment of sculptural work. This huge temple built in the Dravidian style with lofty towers and sprawling courtyards is one of the finest specimens of Vijayanagar architecture.

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The Satavahanas of the 2nd century AD have referred to it and the Saivite Tamil Saints have sung its glory. The Kakatiyas and the Vijayanagar kings (esp Krishnadevaraya) have made several endowments here. This temple is of immense religious, historical and architectural significance.

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Antiquity The origins of this temple are buried in antiquity. The Skanda Purana has a chapter dedicated to it. The great religious leader Aadi Sankara is said to have visited this shrine and composed his immortal Sivananda Lahiri here. Praise of this temple has been sung by the Tamil Saint poets of the past millennium.

The shrine dedicated to Bhramaramba is considered to be of great significance. Legend has it that Durga is said to have assumed the shape of a bee and worshipped Shiva here, and chose this place as her abode.

Temples in the vicinity:

1. Tripurantakam to the east of Sree Sailam.

2. Siddavatam of Cuddapah district to the South

3. Alampur Navabhrama temples in Mahboobnagar district to the West

4. Umamaheswaram in Mahboobnagar district to the North.

5. Paladhara Panchadara - the spot where Adi Sankara is said to have meditated.

6. Hatakeswaram: another Shiva temple near Paladhara Panchadara where the lingam was originally made of gold.

7. Sakthi Ganapathi temple: It is considered important to visit this temple before visiting Sri Sailam.

8. Kailasa Dwaram: The main entrance to Sri Sailam for those trekking to the temple

9. Sikharam: There is a hill temple dedicated to Shiva at a height of 2850 feet above sea level in the Nallamalai hills

10. Patalaganga: is where the bathing ghats associated with Sri Sailam are located. (Krishna river).

Tripurantakam, Siddavatam, Alampura and Umamaheswaram are considered to be the four gateways to Sri Sailam.

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See Also: 
The Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva
Abodes of Shiva
The Tamil Nayanmars and Sri Sailam
Sree Kalahasti