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.
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.
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another Shiva temple near Paladhara Panchadara where the lingam was originally made of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.
See Also:
The Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva
Abodes of Shiva
The Tamil Nayanmars and Sri Sailam
Sree Kalahasti
