Mallikarjuna Magic – The 2nd Jyotirlinga

The temple is built on the banks of the Pataalganga, a part of the River Krishna. It is believed that there is a direct pathway to Mount Kailash, under the Pataalganga. The Rishis of yore used it to travel to Kailasha from Mallikarjuna! Scientists and historians who visit here are unable to define the aura here.

- PRIYA S. TANDON

It is believed that when Sati immolated herself and Shiva performed the Tandava, various parts of her charred body fell in different directions. The Sri Shaila Parvat was where the neck of Sati fell, and it became a Shaktipeeth.

We were blessed to have the opportunity to visit the Mallikarjuna Temple, the second of the Jyotirlingas, at Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh during the auspicious month of Sawan. The drive from Hyderabad to the temple took 4 1/2 hours. We were eager to go for Darshan right away, but were told that the temple opens at 6 PM. So we first went to the Sri Saakshi Ganpati Mandir. Here, Ganpati sits holding a pen and a notepad. It is said that He keeps a record of all devotees visiting the Mallikarjuna Temple. As we sat there, and the Panditji was chanting mantras, a little mouse came and sat beside my husband. It was a strange sight, but somewhere we felt that perhaps the Mooshak-Vahana of Ganesha had come.

We visited the Gram Devi Temple which is a small Devi Temple of the local deity.

Thereafter, we went to the Veerbhadra Temple. He is the Kshetriya Lokpal here.

At 6 PM sharp, we entered the Mallikarjuna Temple. At the entry of the garbhagriha, was a 4 feet high, idol of Ganesha made of pure gold. It had been installed on the same day and was called Ratnagarbha Ganesha. There was a definitive magnetic aura about it and it was an overwhelming experience to pay obeisance to this magnificent Ganesha.