Srisailam
The temple is on the banks of Krishna River and the shrine of the god is on the flat top of Nallamalai Hills. This temple is considered as one of the oldest temples in India. People say that this temple exists from the ages. This holy mountain is also called with other names such as Siridhan, Srigiri, Sirigiri, Sriparvatha and Srinagam.
Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy shrine situated in srisaiam is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and Bhramaramba Devi shrine located in srisailam is one amongst the eighteen Mahasakthis. It is fortunate for the devotees of both shiva and devi, as they can see Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi at srisailam, only one of its kind.
History
History says that the way to srisailam was traced by Pulumavis Nasik in the first Century A.D. when Sathavahanas started ruling South India they found the exact way to srisailam.The Sathavahanas, the Ikshavakus, the Pallavas, the Vishnukundis, the Chalukyas, the Kakatiyas, the Reedy Kings, the Vijayanagara Emperors and Chatrapathi Shivaji are the emperors who were devotees of God Mallikarjuna Swamy and also participated in the development of srisailam.
Prataparudra of Kakatiya Dynasty had involed in the development of Kshetram and granted Paraganas for its maintenance.12000 Golden Nanyas were spent by Ganapathideva for the maintenance of the temple.
The Reddy Kings had played the major role in the improvement of the temple. Prolaya Vema Reddy had constructed steps to Srisailam and Pathalaganga in the 14th century whereas Anavema Reddi constructed Veera Siromandapam for veerashiva devotees who had cut their hands, tongue, limbs with devotion to attain moksha, blessings and the realisation of the God and this type of sacrifices done by devotees is known as Veeracharam.
The Mukhamantapam of Swamy shrine and a Gopuram on Southern Side of the temple was constructed by Second Harihararaya of Vijayanagara Empire.
The Rajagopuram on Eastern side and Salumantapas on both sides of the temple were constructed by Sri Krishnadevaraya in15th Century. Gopuram on northern side was constructed by Chatrapathi Shivaji in the year 1667 A.D.
