Srisailam Temple

Why is in news? President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu inaugurates the project “Development of Srisailam Temple in the State of Andhra Pradesh”

President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the project “Development of Srisailam Temple in the State of Andhra Pradesh” at Srisailam Temple Complex, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh

The project has been sanctioned and executed under PRASHAD scheme viz. National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive of the Ministry of Tourism. The project is 100% funded by the Ministry of Tourism of Government of India.

The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) is a Central Sector Scheme with complete financial assistance by the Government of India.

The scheme is launched under the leadership of Prime Minister by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15 with the vision of focused integrated infrastructure development to harness pilgrimage and heritage tourism destinations for its direct and multiplier effect upon employment generation and economic development.

Srisailam Temple or Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati and the only temple in India significant to both Saivism and Shaktism.

The presiding deity of the place is Brahmaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy in natural stone formations in the shape of Lingam and is considered one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas of the Goddess, Parvati

Apart from being one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and Shakti Peethas of India, the temple is also classified as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam.

The idol of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi are thought to be ‘Swayambhu’ or self-manifested, and the unique combination of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi in one complex is one-of-a-kind.

There are inscriptional evidence from the Satavahana dynasty which place the temple to be existent from the 2nd century.

Most modern additions were done during the time of king Harihara I of Vijayanagara Empire.

The veerasheromandapam and paathalaganga steps was constructed during the time of Reddi Kingdom.