Nestled in the rugged Nallamala hills of Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district, the Srisailam Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna temple stands as a singular marvel among India’s 12 Jyotirlingas. Unlike other sacred sites where Lord Shiva resides alone, this is the only one where the destroyer of the universe shares his abode with his divine consort, Goddess Parvati, embodying the perfect union of Shiva and Shakti.
Devotees from across the nation flock to this revered pilgrimage site, drawn by its profound spiritual aura. The temple complex houses the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, where Shiva manifests in his luminous form, and adjacent to it, the Bhramaramba shrine dedicated to Parvati in her fierce bee incarnation. Recognized as one of India’s 18 Shakti Peethas, the site pulsates with ancient legends that intertwine devotion, valor, and cosmic balance.
The legend traces back to the demon Arun Asura, a fervent devotee of Brahma who received a boon rendering him invincible to any two- or four-legged being. Emboldened, he wreaked havoc on earth and stormed the heavens. Terrified gods sought refuge with Parvati, who transformed into an eight-legged Bhramaramba—a mother of bees—and vanquished the demon, restoring peace.
Architecturally stunning, the temple features a towering gopuram adorned with Lord Ganesha, believed to account for devotees’ sins and virtues at the entrance. Within the precincts lie subsidiary shrines like Nandi Mandapam, Veera Shirromandapam, Sahasra Lingeshwara, Ardhanarishwara, Veerabhadra, Uma Maheshwara, and Navabrahma temples. The Bhramaramba sanctum showcases an idol of Lopamudra, wife of Sage Agastya, and a prominent Sri Yantra.
Rituals here are unique; the goddess is venerated as Brahmani Shakti, draped in silk sarees offered by pilgrims. Every visit promises not just darshan but a deep immersion into the harmonious dance of creation and destruction, making Srisailam an eternal beacon of faith.