శ్రీశైలం లో మీకు తెలియని రహస్యాలు ప్రదేశాలు |Srisailam temple unknown fa...

శ్రీశైలం లో మీకు తెలియని రహస్యాలు ప్రదేశాలు |Srisailam temple unknown facts and Places.

Srisailam is one of the popular tourist destinations in Andhra Pradesh and considered one of the most important pilgrimage centres of Lord Shiva.

Srisaila Mahakshetram is considered as Kailasa on Earth. The history and tradition have it that the merits earned by visiting Srisailam are equal to worshipping all the divine powers the universe holds.

Srisailam Dam which was built over Krishna river is one of the largest dams in South India.

Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, India's largest tiger reserve is spread over 3500square kms. 

This Sanctuary is a natural habitat of diverse species of flora and fauna. 

The lush and dense Nallamala Forest range is a popular destination for trekking, hill climbing, forest exploration and research, to which Srisailam town acts as a base camp.

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga enshrines Lord Mallikarjuna and is an ancient temple built in a Dravidian style with specimens showcasing the Vijayanagara architecture.

Akka Mahadevi Caves, Pathalaganga, Shikareshwara Temple are few other attractions in this place.

Srisaila Mahakshetram is the living embodiment of ancient and spiritual-cultural traditions and values. Visited by all great saints and rulers namely, Sri Rama, Adi Shankaracharya and several other spiritual personalities; Srisailam is the supreme repository of spiritual truth.

When Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva about his most desired place apart from Kailasa in the Universe created by him, he chose the eternally beautiful place nestled among picturesque nature, the avatar of Sri Chakra, the holy Srisailam. In such a significant location, Shiva-Shakti take the form of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramaramba to bless all their devotees. 

As proven in Puranas, Srisailam has great ancient significance. Among the 12 Jyotirlingas, the 2nd is the Mallikarjuna Swamy Lingam; among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, the 6th is Sri Bhramaramba Devi temple.

 Srisailam is the only temple where two such icons exist under one temple premise, such is its significance. Srisailam has many other names like Srigiri, Sirigiri, Sriparvatam and Srinagam.

Mallikarjuna Swamy:

Once upon a time, Silada Maharshi, the son of Soma Muni performed an intense Tapasya in the name of Lord Shiva. Pleased with the Tapasya performed by Silada Maharshi, Lord Bhola Shankara granted him his wish of 'sons who would carry forward worshipping Lord Shiva. Silada Maharshi named his sons as Nandi-Parvat. As the granted wish goes, Nandi-Parvat learnt all the knowledge about Lord Shiva and became great devotees of the Lord. With his father's permission, Parvat performs a Tapasya and pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva asks him what his wish was. To which, Parvat says: "Just how all holy things reside in Kailasa, I would want to be a similar mountain filled with gods who reside as one family, holy 9 rivers, holy water bodies, many peaks, animals, birds, all eight Bhairavas, munis and rishis, fruit-bearing and medicinal plants and trees. While I take the form of a Mountain, you shall reside atop me on the highest peak in the form of a prime Jyotirlinga." To which Lord Shiva said, "You were the only devotee to have asked for such a lovely wish! You shall now reside as a mountain that shall be known as Sriparvatam, Srinagam, Srisailam, Shrigiri. My devotees shall walk across you while reciting their prayers and you shall mark your place in history." This is how Lord Shiva took the form of Jyotirlinga in Srisailam.

Sri Bhramaramba Devi:

Skanda Puranam and Srisaila Khandam beautifully describe the origin and divine form of Parvati Devi which is known as Bhramaramba Devi. Once upon a time, a Raakshas called Arunasura performed an Upasana in the name of Gayatri Devi. He wished for immortality to which Gayatri Devi said she would not be able to grant such a wish and only Lord Brahma would be able to do it. Taking the advice, Arunasura started his intense Tapasya to please Lord Brahma by reciting 'Om Brahmadevaya Namaha'. His prayers reached all the worlds and the troubled gods met with Lord Brahma and requested him to do something about it. Lord Brahma appears before Arunasura and asks him what his wish was. Upon hearing about immortality, Lord Brahma says that such a wish is against the principles of the universe and asks him to request another wish instead. Arunasura after deep thought says he shall never face death because of 2 legged or 4 legged living beings. Brahma grants his wish. Arunasura who considered himself immortal and unbeatable proceeds to trouble people and doesn't spare the gods too. The gods who were fed up with his antics share their concerns with Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Parvathi Devi takes the incarnation of a thousand bees(Bhramara) and kills the cruel Arunasura. The happy gods request the goddess to take the form of Bhramaramba in her favourite place so that they can worship her for eternity. Parvati Devi chooses Srisailam to reside as Bhramaramba Devi as Srisailam is also dear to Lord Shiva. Since then, Bhramaramba Devi resides here to bless all her devotees.

Narasimhaswamy in Satyayugam, Sri Rama alongside Sita Devi in Tretayugam, all five Pandavas in Dvaparayugam, many Yogis, Rishis, Munis, preachers, spiritual teachers, Kings, poets and devotees in Kalyug have visited Srisailam and earned the blessings of Sri Bhramarambika Devi and Mallikarjuna Swamy.

 During the 18th and 19th centuries, in the temple of Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramarambika Devi, many chenchus graced the temple grounds and were part of many rituals and prayers. 

 It is believed by locals that long ago when Mallikarjuna Swamy was hunting in the forest, a local girl fell in love with the god and was later married to the god in presence of the locals. Ever since Mallikarjuna Swamy who resides in Srisaila Kshetram is considered as their son-in-law by the locals and hence called Chenchu Mallanna and Chenchu Mallayya.