Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple​ The Divine Abode of Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati

The Temple of Air and Devotion

The Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple , one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, stands as a divine powerhouse in Andhra Pradesh, nestled deep within the mystical Nallamala forests. This sacred temple is unique, as it is not only a Jyotirlinga (Shiva’s energy center) but also a Shakti Peetha (Goddess Bramarambha’s holy shrine)—making it one of the few places where both Shiva and Shakti coexist.

Beyond its religious significance, Srisailam is a temple of mysteries. Legends speak of a self-manifested Linga, a hidden underground path to Kailash, an eternal flame that never dies, and a river that mysteriously vanishes. Even the temple’s intricate carvings appear to hold ancient knowledge yet to be decoded.

What secrets lie hidden in this timeless temple? Join us as we explore seven of the greatest mysteries of Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, where faith and the unexplained come together!

1. The Self-Manifed (Swayambhu) Jyotirlinga.

Unlike most temples where the Shiva Linga is ritually installed, the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga at Srisailam is believed to be Swayambhu, meaning it manifested on its own. The story behind its appearance is deeply rooted in legend and devotion.

Long ago, there was a princess named Chandravathi, who ruled a small kingdom near the Nallamala forests. She was known for her deep faith in Lord Shiva. One day, after facing extreme hardships in her life, she decided to leave her palace and seek solace in the forests. She built a small hut on the Srisailam hill and spent her days meditating and worshipping Shiva.

One day, she noticed something unusual—a herd of cows from her ashram would go missing every evening and return the next morning, completely milked. Curious, she followed them and discovered that they were offering their milk to a divine Linga, which was glowing with an ethereal light.

Amazed by this miracle, she realized it was a self-manifested form of Lord Shiva. Overwhelmed with devotion, she built a shrine around the Jyotirlinga, which later became the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple .

Even today, devotees claim to feel a mystical vibration while praying here. Could this divine energy be proof of its self-manifested origin? Modern science has no explanation!

2. The Secret Underground Path to Kailash.

The Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is said to hold a profound secret beneath its sacred grounds—an underground tunnel that directly connects to Mount Kailash, the divine abode of Lord Shiva. Ancient texts and oral traditions speak of this hidden passage, known only to great sages, enlightened beings, and select temple priests.

According to legend, this tunnel was used by powerful yogis and siddhas who could traverse between Srisailam and Kailash through deep meditation and divine energy. It is said that only those with pure devotion and spiritual wisdom can find and enter this mystical path.

Several accounts tell of saints and monks meditating within the sanctum of the temple, experiencing visions of Kailash, and feeling as if they were physically transported to the Himalayan realm of Lord Shiva. These reports have led many to believe that the temple may serve as an interdimensional gateway—a sacred spot where time, space, and consciousness dissolve into the divine realm.

Even today, some devotees claim to feel an unexplainable pull toward Kailash after meditating in Srisailam. Could this temple truly be a spiritual portal leading to Shiva’s eternal abode? Or is it a lost ancient secret waiting to be rediscovered? Science remains silent, but faith continues to search for answers.

3. The Talking Nandi.

At the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, a grand Nandi (sacred bull) sits in front of the sanctum, facing Lord Shiva. But this is no ordinary idol—it is said that Nandi once spoke to a true devotee, revealing divine secrets. This fascinating mystery has been passed down through generations.

According to legend, a great Shiva devotee visited the temple centuries ago. He was deeply spiritual, spending days in intense meditation and unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva. One night, he had a powerful vision in which Nandi came to life and spoke to him, revealing profound spiritual truths about life, the universe, and moksha (liberation). When the devotee awoke, he found himself filled with divine knowledge, which he later shared with others.

Even today, pilgrims believe that if they whisper their wishes into Nandi’s ears, their prayers will be conveyed directly to Lord Shiva. Many claim that after doing so, they have experienced miraculous solutions, visions, or answers in their dreams.

Could this Nandi hold divine consciousness, acting as a medium between devotees and Shiva? Or is there an unknown spiritual force within the temple that allows true believers to receive answers? The mystery of the Talking Nandi continues to inspire and intrigue those who visit Srisailam.

4. The Eternal Akhanda Jyoti – The Flame That Never Dies.

Deep within the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, an Akhanda Jyoti (eternal flame) has been burning continuously for centuries. This sacred fire is believed to have been lit by Adi Shankaracharya, the great saint and philosopher, during his visit to Srisailam. Since then, it has never extinguished, defying time, weather, and logic.

According to legend, Adi Shankaracharya established this flame as a symbol of divine energy, representing the eternal presence of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that as long as this flame burns, Srisailam will remain a powerful spiritual center.

What makes this flame mysterious is that no one knows the exact source of its fuel. It is said that no matter how strong the winds, storms, or rain, the flame has never gone out. Priests maintain that the fire sustains itself through divine energy, while skeptics wonder if it is being secretly replenished.

Even in modern science, maintaining an unbroken flame for hundreds of years is nearly impossible. No known fuel source could last this long without human intervention. Could this be a miraculous blessing of Shiva, or is there a secret technique lost to time? The mystery of the Eternal Akhanda Jyoti continues to inspire and astonish all who witness it.

5. The Krishna River’s Mysterious Disappearance (Pathala Ganga).

Near the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, the Krishna River, locally known as Pathala Ganga, exhibits a strange and unexplained phenomenon—it vanishes mysteriously at times, only to reappear later. This baffling occurrence has left devotees and scientists searching for answers.

According to Hindu legends, the Krishna River holds divine significance, as it is believed to be a sacred bath for the gods. Locals believe that at certain times, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati descend to take a holy dip in its waters. During these moments, the river is said to disappear, hiding itself from human eyes to grant them privacy. Once their divine bath is completed, the river flows normally again.

Modern science suggests that this phenomenon could be due to underground water channels or geological formations, but no concrete evidence has been found to explain the sudden disappearance and reappearance of the water. Some researchers believe the river may be connected to subterranean caves, allowing it to flow beneath the surface temporarily before returning.

Despite scientific theories, devotees firmly believe in the divine presence of Lord Shiva in the region. Could this be a cosmic mystery beyond human comprehension, or an ancient secret hidden beneath Srisailam? The enigma of Pathala Ganga continues to intrigue both believers and skeptics alike.

6. The Changing Colors of the Lingam.

The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga at Srisailam is no ordinary Shiva Linga—it is believed to mystically change colors at different times of the day. Devotees and temple priests claim to have witnessed this transformation for centuries, yet no scientific explanation exists for this unusual occurrence.

According to believers, the color changes represent different cosmic forms of Lord Shiva:

Morning: The Linga appears white, symbolizing purity and the fresh energy of dawn.

Afternoon: It turns reddish, representing the sun’s blazing energy and Shiva’s role as the cosmic sustainer.

Night: It becomes dark or black, signifying the infinite cosmos and Shiva’s supreme formlessness.

Ancient texts suggest that the Linga is infused with divine energy, causing it to respond to the shifting vibrations of the universe. Some believe that the stone itself is unique, possibly reacting to light and temperature, but no geological analysis has confirmed this.

Many spiritually attuned devotees claim to have personally witnessed these changes, while skeptics argue that it could be an optical illusion caused by temple lighting and environmental factors.

Is this phenomenon a sacred miracle, a lost ancient science, or an unknown natural occurrence? The mystery of the color-changing Jyotirlinga remains an unanswered question, adding to the divine aura of Srisailam.

7. The Unsolved Puzzle of the Mukhamandapa Sculptures.

The Mukhamandapa, or pillared hall, of the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple is a masterpiece of ancient craftsmanship, adorned with intricately carved sculptures depicting celestial beings, mythological events, and Shiva’s many avatars. But hidden within these carvings lies an unsolved mystery—some of the sculptures appear to depict advanced astronomical knowledge and hidden messages that modern scholars have yet to fully decipher.

Among these carvings, some seem to resemble star constellations, mapped out in precise alignment with the cosmos. Others depict mystical figures holding objects that look strikingly similar to ancient technological devices—including something that resembles a telescope-like instrument and geometric patterns that some researchers speculate could represent ancient energy systems or cosmic gateways.

Legends suggest that the sculptors of Srisailam were not ordinary artisans but divinely inspired sages with profound knowledge of the universe. Some even believe that these carvings hold a secret code that, if decoded, could reveal forgotten wisdom about the cosmos, time travel, or spiritual enlightenment.

Were these sculptures the result of advanced knowledge possessed by our ancestors, or were they influenced by divine or extraterrestrial forces? The Mukhamandapa’s cryptic carvings continue to intrigue archaeologists, historians, and devotees, leaving behind an enduring mystery that modern science has yet to explain.

Conclusion.

The Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is more than just a sacred shrine—it is a spiritual enigma filled with mysteries that challenge science and logic. From the self-manifested Jyotirlinga to the hidden path to Kailash, from the talking Nandi to the eternal flame, every part of this ancient temple seems to radiate divine energy beyond human understanding.

Even today, scientists and historians struggle to explain these phenomena, leaving us with a profound question: Are these just myths and legends, or is Srisailam truly a divine gateway to the cosmic realm?

The mysteries of Srisailam continue to inspire faith, curiosity, and devotion. What do you think about these secrets? Share your thoughts in the comments! And don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more untold stories of Hindu temples.

Om Namah Shivaya! 🔱