The ancient and Sacred temple of Srisailam is of great historical and religious significance. Situated on the south bank of the river Krishna, in the Nallamalai forest, on a 457 meter high hill is the Bhramaramba Mallikharjunaswamy temple, one of the 12 Jyothirlingas in the country. One of the state’s three famous Linga Kshetrams (Draksharamam and Nagarjunamo are the other two), it is also known as “Sri Mallikharjunam” and “Sri Parvatham”. The temple is also the seat of Mahakali in the form of Bhramaramba.The most appealing feature of this temple is that any one of any cast or creed can touch the deity and worship here. Trip to Srisailum was planned when we were roaming of evening drive on Saturday. I had just heard someone telling me about Srisailum. I saw Andra Tourism office while on drive and then I just asked him about it. He agrees and we booked ticket.

Name of Office: “Yatri Niwas” AP Tourism Booking Office
Location: Paradise, Begumpet Secunderabad.

SRISAILAM TOUR Package:
Dep. 9.30 am Arr. 8.00 pm on 2nd day . Daily 2 Days Tour covers Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Patalaganga, Paladara, Panchadara, Shikaram, Sakshiganapathi, Dam. FARE : Adult Rs.1000/- Child:Rs.800/- Includes accommodation for one day, Night halt at Srisailam.

We booked trip for next saturday. Start at 9:00 in morning and return next day 5:00 PM. We packed our bag. As it was May it was very hot so we took all comfortable clothes, Water bottles, Fruits and most important Our Camera FULLY LOADED. We all gathered near Yatri Niwas at 8:45 AM .We had some 15 more people in our trip. So indicated that it will be going to be Rocking.

The Bus started but it was very hot and even temp inside bus increased. I don’t know but when ever i sit in bus. I will get sleep . So as usual i slept. Trust me it rocking to sleep on the shoulder of your beloved. I woke up at 11:00 AM when bus halted for break to some hotel. We had Dosa and some soft drink. All recharged and refreshing in the sunny day. The Bus started to move on Mountain slopes leaving plainer area back.

And just before starting the long trip to the temple. We stopped to get the fuel at Chenchu Lakshmi Restaurant. We were already getting dehydrated. So we took some cold drink and food. No as such high fi food. Normal south Indian food and no current. Quite a burning desire happening at that time :).

The place was not that bad except the sunshine. It has a small Chenchu Life style Museum and some nice park in making. By now I guess it will be beautiful to visit. It has also a lion.

And after taking some rest and fuel up. We started our long and fast journey to the temple. The driver was driving the bus like a Ferrari and it was almost dry jungle.

There is no trip that move on night because the mountain jungle is not safe in night because of wild animal. So i was just imagining about the scene at night. We were going round and round in the jungle with baking in oven kind of situation. We crossed about 5-6 hills to reach there. Then we reached a very beautiful place, Srisailum Dam constructed across the Krishna River at Srisailam in the Kurnool district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.

But the bus dint stopped on the dam and moved directly for our first visit point , Paladara and Panchadara is one of the most beautiful scene spot in surroundings of Srisailam is located about 4 Km from the main temple. Tradition records that Bhagavan Adisankara performed penance at this place and composed the famous Sivanandalahari here. His Holiness Kanchi Paramacharya confirmed this and marble statues of Sarada Devi and Sankaracharya installed there and daily regular Poojas are being offered.

Here we got down and there we found fresh mountain water was running. Cold mountain water in Sunny day. It was really very relaxing. The place was fully covered with trees so was very cool. WE HAD HALF HOUR BREAK THERE.  Then we saw a small temple Sakshiganapathi, located about 3 Kms from main temple Srisailam and is one of the sacred spots frequented by pilgrims since times immemorial. The traditional belief is that the Ganapathi in this temple keeps regular account of all the pilgrims to tender Sakshyam (evidence) of their visit to this Kshetram and so named as Sakshi Ganapathi. The Ganapathi is holding a book in the left hand and a pen in the right hand to noting down the names of devotees. It is in practice that during  return you had to darshan the  Ganapathi and informed their name and gotra to him. Srinatha the renowned poet of 14th Century A.D. in his Kasikhandam states that this Sakshi Ganapathi is visualized by sage Agasthya during his pilgrimage to Srisailam.

Our next destination was Pathalaganga which is actually water reservoir on the Sriailum dam. We had 90 minute hold there. We have Krishna river on which the dam is build. We took the rope way to take us down to river. We have other option of 800 steps down which no one opted. So we all took cable car and went down. There we had a boat ride and went through the river. It was 5:30 and really awesome to had the boat ride. It was actually very relaxing after sunny afternoon. The boat took us near dam and then we started for Srisailum.

We also captured a small temple near the rope way and finally rushed to the bus which dropped us at hotel “Haritha Resort” this is AP Tourism Resort very near to Main temple.

It was informed to us that bus will start tomorrow at 9:00 am. So we all took some rest , got fresh and then we started to have darshanam in temple. We took darshan ticket. The God is fast reachable if u pay money more.  So we had Darshan it was very nice to have darshan of Lord Shiva one of the 12 Jyothirlingas in the country.

We touched lord and took blessing. Though we got only few second to see it but it was very relaxing. The crowd were so hyper that everyone was only pushing each other. As if we are just flowing. Then we came out of temple. We saw the local market there. Many people booked for morning archana . We then came back to hotel by 10:00 and then slept as it was very a tiring day. For food you can have at any shop around the temple premises. I think touring with AP Tourism package was very relaxing,  Just book your travel and ready to go but yes if you love to travel on your own then you may not like it. Also the way to the place will be quite hectic.

Anyway next day we woke up early and again went of to have darshan early morning also. And went to some near by places (Exploring streets). We saw a very big Shiva Statue at the entrance to Srisailum.

So we then on the way saw a small Orphanage for wild animals, It was looking like a jail and animals are in pity situation.

Also bus also stopped at I don’t know temple. Then simply we took some 10 min break at the Dam for final return journey. Here also monkey are funky and ready to take the camera also.

We can see Dam now from both end. We had seen some other temple and temple reached back to Secunderabad by 5:30 PM. We were happy that we saw Lord Jyotirlinka. Well Worth the trip. 🙂