Mallikarjuna Srisailam
Srisailam · Nallamala Hills, Andhra Pradesh
A rare sacred site where Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga and Bhramaramba Shakti Peetha are worshipped in the same temple complex atop the sacred Nallamala Hills above the Krishna river.
Darshan Information
Darshan Hours
4:30 AM
to 10:00 PM
Daily Aarti
Confirm Daily
The official portal has live seva and darshan booking but no reliable public daily aarti table was found · Check the portal or helpdesk
Entry Fee
Free
General darshan
Dress Code
Modest Attire
The official pages reviewed do not publish one fixed dress rule for general darshan · Individual sevas may have separate requirements · Confirm before travel
Best Time to Visit
Year-Round
Forest roads close 9 PM sharp · Plan departure by 8:30 PM · Best: Oct – Feb
Security Rules
No Phones or Cameras
Strict ban inside temple complex · Cloakroom near entrance
Expected Wait Time
Approximate planning estimate only · Not live or guaranteed
Weekdays
Approx. 30–45 min
Mon – Fri
Weekends
Approx. 1–2 hrs
Sat & Sun
Festivals
Approx. 3–6 hrs
Maha Shivratri · Ugadi · Karthika Mondays
* Foreign nationals and visitors of other faiths, please check entry permissions at the main gate before proceeding.
The Dual Sacred Shrine
A rare place where Shiva and Shakti are worshipped together on the same sacred hill
Jyotirlinga + 18 Maha Shakti Peetha · Same Complex
Srisailam holds a rare distinction: it is both the second Jyotirlinga (Mallikarjuna Swamy) and a Shakti Peetha (Bhramaramba Devi), honored in the Ashtadasha, or 18 Maha Shakti Peetha, tradition. The Shiva shrine and the Devi shrine stand within the same vast complex on the Nallamala Hills, a rare confluence of Shaiva and Shakta (Shiva- and Devi-worship) traditions. According to tradition, Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have composed the Shivanandalahari here.
2 Shrines
One complex
Free
General darshan
2 hectares
Temple complex
How to Do Both Darshans in One Visit
- 1
Start with Mallikarjuna Swamy in the morning when queues are shortest (before 9 AM).
- 2
Men must wear a dhoti (lungi) inside the inner sanctum. Hire one at the entrance for a few rupees.
- 3
After Mallikarjuna, proceed to Bhramaramba Devi, the Shakti Peetha shrine within the same complex.
- 4
Ensure you leave Srisailam before 9:00 PM because forest roads close at night. Plan your return in daylight.
Puja Schedule
Current ritual times are not published reliably
4:30 AM – 10:00 PMConfirm the current ritual timetable
A reliable official daily ritual timetable was not found for this page. Use the official portal or helpdesk where available, or ask at the temple before planning around a specific puja.
Timings may shift during festivals and special occasions. Confirm at srisailadevasthanam.org before visiting.
Travel and Stay
At a Glance
Two Sacred Shrines
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga and Bhramaramba Shakti Peetha are in the same complex
Daily Temple Services
Check the official portal or helpdesk for current seva (temple service) times
Weather and Crowds
October–February has cooler weather · Confirm forest road hours before travel
Night Road Ban: Roads through the Nallamala forest close at night. Plan to depart Srisailam by 8:30 PM at the latest. Late-evening darshan is practical only if you are staying overnight in Srisailam; day visitors should leave before the forest/ghat road night restriction begins. Confirm current road timings before travel.
directions_transitHow to Reach Mallikarjuna
By Train
Markapur Road Railway Station · 91 km
By Flight
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad (HYD) · 213 km
By Road
Hyderabad · 230 km
hotelWhere to Stay
Devasthanam / TTD Guest Houses: ₹200 to ₹1,500/night
The Srisailam Devasthanam Trust manages multiple guest houses within and near the temple complex. Affordable and well-located. Book online at the devasthanam portal.
APTDC Hotels: ₹1,000 to ₹3,000/night
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation runs hillside properties with good views. Standard comfort for pilgrims. Book via APTDC website.
Private Hotels: ₹800 to ₹4,000/night
Several private hotels in Srisailam town. Rooms fill fast on weekends and festival days. Book at least a week in advance.
Accommodation is limited on the hilltop. Book well ahead for Maha Shivaratri. Day visitors should leave in time for the 9 PM forest road gate closure; overnight visitors should stay locally.
wb_sunnySeasonal Planning
Oct – Feb · Ideal
Cool hillside weather (15–25°C). Pleasant forest drive, comfortable darshan. Kartika Masam (Oct–Nov) is especially festive. Ideal for families and pilgrims of all fitness levels.
Mar – Jun · Warm
Temperatures rise to 30–38°C. Less crowded than festival season. Arrive by 7 AM for a comfortable early darshan. Stay hydrated because the forest road takes 2–3 hours.
Jul – Sep · Shravan
Highly sacred during Shravan month. Monsoon makes the hills lush and green. Roads can be slippery; extra caution is needed. Spiritual atmosphere is at its peak.
tips_and_updatesVisitor Tips
- check_circlePlan around the 9 PM forest road gate closure. Day visitors should leave with enough time to reach the gate. Stay overnight in Srisailam if planning late-evening darshan.
- check_circleWear clean, modest clothing. The official pages reviewed do not publish one fixed dress rule for general darshan. Individual sevas may have separate requirements.
- check_circleInclude Bhramaramba Devi if you wish. The shrine is within the same complex, and many pilgrims visit both. It is a devotional choice, not a stated entry requirement.
- check_circleCarry government ID for bookings and check-in. Accommodation and booked services may ask for identification. Follow the requirements shown with the official booking.
- check_circleBook accommodation in advance. Hillside accommodation is limited and fills fast on weekends and during Shravan month. The devasthanam trust guest houses are the most convenient option.
Temple Highlights
Jyotirlinga + Shakti Peetha Together
Mallikarjuna Swamy Jyotirlinga and Bhramaramba Devi, included in the 18 Maha Shakti Peetha tradition, are worshipped within the same complex. This brings Shiva- and Devi-worship traditions together at one site.
Tiger Reserve Approach Road
The road to Srisailam passes through the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, India's largest. The forest drive through Nallamala Hills is part of the pilgrimage. Roads close at 9 PM for wildlife safety.
Vijayanagara Dravidian Architecture
The temple complex spans 2 hectares with four towering gopurams in the Dravidian style, extensively rebuilt during the Vijayanagara Empire (14th–16th century). The craftsmanship on the walls is among the finest in Andhra Pradesh.
Adi Shankaracharya's Shivanandalahari
According to tradition, Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have composed the celebrated Shivanandalahari (100 verses on Shiva) at Srisailam. It remains one of Srisailam's most treasured associations.
Major Festivals
Maha Shivaratri
The most significant festival at Srisailam. Foot padayatras (pilgrim processions) converge from across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. All-night puja, special abhishekam (ritual bathing of the deity), and an atmosphere of intense devotion. The entire Nallamala approach road is lined with pilgrims.
What to do: Book accommodation months in advance. Roads will be heavily congested; arrive 1–2 days before and plan to stay overnight. Leave before 9 PM or plan a full overnight stay.
Ugadi
Telugu New Year draws enormous crowds to Srisailam. The festival marks the start of a new pilgrimage season. Special rituals at both Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba shrines. One of the most festive days of the year on the Nallamala Hills.
What to do: Book accommodation 6–8 weeks ahead. Arrive early morning to avoid the peak afternoon crowds. Both shrines will have long queues.
Shravan Month
Shravan Mondays draw devoted Shiva pilgrims for special Jal Abhishek. The monsoon transforms the Nallamala Hills into lush green, creating a dramatically beautiful backdrop for the pilgrimage. Some pilgrims undertake the foot padayatra during this month.
What to do: Visit early morning on a weekday to avoid peak Monday crowds. The monsoon approach through the forest is beautiful but requires extra care on slippery roads.
Kartika Masam
The sacred month of Kartika sees continuous streams of pilgrims. Daily lamp offerings (deep puja), special aartis, and a festive hilltop atmosphere. One of the best times to visit, with festive energy and cooler weather beginning.
What to do: October – November is an excellent time to visit overall. Book accommodation 3–4 weeks ahead for Kartika weekends. The evenings are cool and beautiful.
The Story of Srisailam
Srisailam (the “sacred mountain”) sits atop the Nallamala Hills in the Eastern Ghats, where the Krishna river has carved a dramatic gorge below. The sanctity of this site spans millennia: the Mahabharata, the Shiva Purana, and the Skanda Purana all mention Srisailam as a place of extraordinary spiritual power. The sacred hill is identified with Mount Meru in Puranic cosmology, and the temple complex is said to have existed since at least the 2nd century CE.
The temple reached its architectural glory under the Vijayanagara Empire (14th–16th century), when successive kings, including Krishnadevaraya, made it a royal pilgrimage and funded elaborate gopurams, mandapas, and stone carvings that stand to this day. According to tradition, Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have visited Srisailam and, moved by the dual presence of Shiva and Shakti on the same hill, composed the Shivanandalahari here, a collection of 100 celebrated verses of devotion to Lord Shiva.
“In Srisailam, on the divine mountain, where the moon-crested Lord and Bhramaramba dwell together — this alone dissolves the cycle of birth and death.”
— Shivanandalahari, Adi Shankaracharya (attributed)
Nearby Temples & Sites
Sakshi Ganapati Temple
near_me 0.5 km · 10 min walk
Tradition holds that pilgrims must seek Lord Ganesh's witness (sakshi) here before approaching the Jyotirlinga. This Ganesh shrine near the complex gate is the first ritual stop in the authentic Srisailam pilgrimage sequence; most first-time visitors miss it entirely.
Bhramaramba Devi Temple
near_me Same complex · 5 min walk
The Shakti Peetha within the Mallikarjuna complex. Bhramaramba Devi is honored in the Ashtadasha (18 Maha Shakti Peetha) tradition; visiting both shrines in one pilgrimage is considered a rare spiritual blessing.
Sikharam Viewpoint
near_me 2 km · 10 min walk
The highest point of the Nallamala Hills, offering a sweeping view of the Krishna river gorge far below. A sacred point from which pilgrims offer their first darshan of the hills on arrival.
Patalaganga Ghat
near_me 5 km · 15 min by steps
A sacred bathing ghat on the Krishna river, reached by a steep flight of steps descending the hillside. Bathing here before the main darshan is considered auspicious. A ropeway is also reported; confirm its operation and fare before travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear at Srisailam?
Wear clean, modest clothing. The official pages reviewed do not publish one fixed dress rule for general darshan.
Individual sevas may have separate clothing requirements. Follow the rule shown with your official booking or confirm with the Devasthanam before travel.
What is the night road restriction at Srisailam?
The official Devasthanam connectivity page lists the forest road gates as closed from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Day visitors should leave with enough time to reach the gate. Overnight visitors should book accommodation in advance.
Can I visit both Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba Devi in one day?
Yes. Both shrines are in the same temple complex, and many pilgrims include both in one visit.
Actual time depends on the day, queue controls, and booked sevas. Visiting both is a devotional choice, not a stated entry requirement.
How do I reach Srisailam from Hyderabad?
By Road: The official Devasthanam connectivity page lists Srisailam about 230 km from Hyderabad. APSRTC operates bus services. Check a route app for current journey time and plan to reach the forest road gate before its 9 PM closure.
By Train: The same official page lists Markapur Road railway station about 91 km from Srisailam.
Can non-Hindus visit Srisailam Mallikarjuna?
The official Devasthanam pages reviewed do not clearly publish a non-Hindu entry policy for the sanctum. Contact the Devasthanam before travel and follow the instructions at the entrance. Public roads, viewpoints, and surrounding hill areas have separate access rules.
What is the best time to visit Srisailam and how long should I plan?
October to February is usually more comfortable. Festival periods bring heavier crowds, so confirm darshan slots and accommodation early.
If you are staying outside Srisailam, remember that the official connectivity page says forest road gates close from 9 PM to 6 AM. Day visitors should leave with enough time to reach the gate before closing.
Data sourced from srisailadevasthanam.org and Andhra Pradesh Tourism. Darshan generally begins around 6:30 AM (reviewed July 2026); session timings may vary and may change on festival days. Confirm current darshan slots on the official Devasthanam portal/app before travel. Note: a phased slot system applies on weekends, Mondays and public holidays (since Jan 2026), and the Sparsha touch-darshan fee changed in 2025. The official portal is app-only, so confirm the current fee and slot at srisailadevasthanam.org or the temple before visiting.