Photo 1 / 4Gopuram above the fort wall. Photo: Arpita Tripathy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple
About the Temple
Srisailam sits high in the Nallamala hills above the Krishna river, about 210 km from Hyderabad. Its temple holds both Mallikarjuna, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and the goddess Bhramaramba, counted among the Shakti Peethas, which AP Tourism says makes it unique among pilgrim sites. Plan around the forest road, which closes to traffic at night, and around weekend crowds.
Why visit
- Worship at a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha in one temple complex.
- Stop at Sakshi Ganapathi, where devotees believe Ganesha records each pilgrim's visit, and bathe at Pathala Ganga on the Krishna.
Temple Timings
- Morning
- 5:30 AM – 1:00 PM
- Evening
- 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
These are AP Tourism's published hours. News reports from Dec 2024 and Nov 2025 describe darshan running from 04:30 to 16:00 and 17:30 to about 22:00, with a temple cleaning break around 16:00 to 17:30, so the temple may be open longer than shown. Check with the Devasthanam on the day. Touch darshan (sparsha) is not offered on Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings and afternoons since an Aug 2026 revision. It has been suspended on key Karthika days and during the Maha Shivaratri Brahmotsavam.
Before You Go
- Time to allow
2 hours to 4 hours inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
Traditional dress only. The Devasthanam's darshan terms list dhoti with shirt or kurta and pyjama for men, and sari, half sari or churidar with dupatta for women. Its FAQ rules out modern and sleeveless clothes. No footwear in the queue lines, streets round the temple or the temple.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Phones
Phones, water bottles, luggage and other electronics are not allowed in the darshan queue. The Devasthanam FAQ says you can leave them at its cloak room free of charge.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Special entrance
Official temple tariff. Buy only at the temple counter or the official website.
- Seeghra Darshanam ₹150 · Official
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Access
The main road from Hyderabad runs through the Amrabad tiger reserve. The reserve's field director said in Mar 2026 that all traffic is stopped at 21:00 at both forest checkposts, Mannanur and Domalapenta, about 55 km apart. The morning reopening time was not confirmed, so reach Srisailam before dark. Steps and wheelchair routes inside the temple are not confirmed. Pathala Ganga is down 852 steps, per Wikipedia.
Reported by deccanchronicle.com, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
Highlights
- Jyotirlinga and Shakti Peetha together
AP Tourism says Srisailam is the only pilgrim site where a Jyotirlinga, Mallikarjuna, and a Shakti Peetha, Bhramaramba, stand in one temple. By legend, Sati's neck fell here.
- Sakshi Ganapathi
About 3 km from the temple, this Ganesha is believed by devotees to keep a record of every pilgrim who visits Srisailam, so many stop here on the way. It is a custom of faith.
- Pathala Ganga
The bathing ghat on the Krishna, about 1 km from the temple. Wikipedia counts 852 steps down to the river.
- Temple walls and mandapas
The east-facing complex covers about two hectares inside high walls with four gateway towers, and its Vijayanagara-era hall has finely carved pillars.
Sources: aptourism.gov.in, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple
- By air: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad
- By train: Markapur · about 85 km
- By road: Srisailam is about 210 km from Hyderabad, 180 km from Kurnool and 158 km from Nandyal. The Hyderabad road crosses the Amrabad tiger reserve, where traffic is stopped at 21:00 at the Mannanur and Domalapenta checkposts, per a Mar 2026 report.
Sources: aptourism.gov.in, en.wikipedia.org, nandyal.ap.gov.in · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- Sakshi GanapathiGanesha shrine where devotees have their visit noted by custom.3 km by road
- Paladhara PanchadharaTwo springs falling as a small cascade, linked by tradition to Adi Shankara.4 km by road
- Srisailam DamA tall dam across the Krishna gorge on the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana border.3.7 km away
- Akka Mahadevi CavesNatural caves above the Krishna linked to the saint Akka Mahadevi, reached on a tiger reserve trek.10 km by road
Sources: aptourism.gov.in, en.wikipedia.org, amrabadtigerreserve.com · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
Can I take my phone inside Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple?
Phones, water bottles, luggage and other electronics are not allowed in the darshan queue. The Devasthanam FAQ says you can leave them at its cloak room free of charge.
What are the Srisailam temple timings?
AP Tourism lists 05:30 to 13:00 and 18:00 to 22:00. Recent news reports describe longer darshan, roughly 04:30 to 16:00 and 17:30 to 22:00, so confirm with the Devasthanam on the day.
Is the Srisailam ghat road closed at night?
Yes. The tiger reserve stops traffic at 21:00 at both forest checkposts on the Hyderabad road, per a Mar 2026 report. Plan to arrive before dark.
What is the dress code at Srisailam?
Traditional dress. The Devasthanam lists dhoti with shirt or kurta and pyjama for men, and sari, half sari or churidar with dupatta for women.
Why do pilgrims stop at Sakshi Ganapathi?
Devotees believe the Ganesha there, about 3 km from the temple, keeps a record of every pilgrim who comes to Srisailam. It is a custom of faith.