Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple or Srisailam Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deities Shiva and Parvati, located at Srisailam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
Srisailam has an ancient history as this site was considered holy for many centuries. As part of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the first mention of a temple comes from inscriptions made by the Sathavahana empire around the 1st century A.D. This temple and thus the town surrounding it played an essential role in the kingdoms of various Hindu kings who lead significant and necessary countries within Southern and Central India.
Some of them were the Pallavas, the Kakatiyas, the Reddy kings, the Chalukyas among many other smaller yet critical regional kingdoms. The second Harihararaya was an essential king within the Vijayanagara Empire, who had constructed the main edifice of the temple and took on some expanding work within. However, the golden period of this temple was during the tenure of the Reddy kings, who added the stepped pathway to the temple and also did many expansions.
One of the most famous kings of the region, Sri Krishnadevaraya also had a hand in major renovation and further constructions within the temple in the 15th century. Chatrapati Shivaji also contributed to the development of the temple in 1667 AD.
Lord Shiva in this temple is referred to as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Goddess Bramarambha’s shrine is regarded to as one of the fifty-two Shakti peethas. This temple is classified as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam. On the way to the main temple is located Shikreshwar temple. It is said that by having darshan in the temple, one does not get rebirth. Krishna River here is called Patal Ganga. One has to go down 852 stairs to reach the river. The Shiva Linga is bathed with the water of this river.