Srisailam is a holy temple town located on the mountains of Nallamala mountain range in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy temple is one of the Dwadasa Jyotirlingas (i.e the 12 illuminated lingas). Goddess Brahmarambica Devi temple located within the same temple premises is one of the 'ashtadasa shaktipeethams' (i.e the 18 power packed temples of Goddess Parvati).
The presence of both 'jyothirlinga' and 'shakti peetham' within the same premises is the uniqueness of the temple which made it one of the most holy pilgrim places. Devotees from across the country visit the temple and it is heavily flooded with devotees on festive days like Maha Shivaratri and during the sacred Hindu month of Kartikam.
Srisailam is located at a distance of around 250 Km from Hyderabad and is well connected with many important places of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. There are frequent Road Transport Corporation (RTC) buses operated by A.P and Telangana. However, a car / cab drive through the ghat roads of Nallamala Forest is more enjoyable and equally thrilling.
On the way, you come across Dindi Reservoir where you could see some travelers halt for taking clicks. However there is nothing much to enjoy at this place.
After few hours drive you enter the ghat road of Nallamala forest where you don't see much traffic.
And you enjoy the drive.
All along the way, you can see our ancestors, I mean troops of monkeys and travels feeding them fruits / bananas etc. On reaching a height on the hills, you can see the awesome view
The road through out the journey is smooth and even, of course with speed breakers. There are no dhabas or road side vendors all along the ghat road. However you can see some travelers taking a break for refreshment amidst nature in the forest.
Travelers need to be careful during heavy rainfalls as the boulders many fall down on the ghat road. After a long long ride through the dense forests on either side of the ghat road, there you can see the beautiful view of Srisailam Dam. It is awesome.
Most of the travelers halt at this view point for a tea break and for taking snaps of the beautiful valley / dam view. .After a long drive through the winding roads, you need to cross the road bridge to enter into Srisailam.
Before entering into Srisailam, pilgrims have the darshan of Sakshi Ganapati.
On entering into Srisailam, you can see the huge seating statue of Lord Dakshinamurty.
There are many private hotels and pure vegetarian choultries at reasonable rates. There is Sri Vidya Sivananda Trust where you can get reasonably good accommodation with pure vegetarian food. (This is one of the best accommodations for Brahmins, particularly Telugu Brahmins where you get home-made food and homely stay).
During Kartika Masam, there will be long lines in the temple for free darshan and even for special darshans. You can get tickets for Seeghra Darshan which costs Rs.150/- per person at the counter. You need to wait in one of the compartments which many take few hours during special occasions to have the darshan of Lord Mallikarjuna.
Return journey from Srisailam to Hyderabad through Nallamala forest is equally thrilling and enjoyable. If you drive in the evening, you can see Nature at Her best with the reddish orange tinge in the before sun set.
A road trip to Srisailam from Hyderabad is a real enjoyable one.
The presence of both 'jyothirlinga' and 'shakti peetham' within the same premises is the uniqueness of the temple which made it one of the most holy pilgrim places. Devotees from across the country visit the temple and it is heavily flooded with devotees on festive days like Maha Shivaratri and during the sacred Hindu month of Kartikam.
Srisailam is located at a distance of around 250 Km from Hyderabad and is well connected with many important places of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. There are frequent Road Transport Corporation (RTC) buses operated by A.P and Telangana. However, a car / cab drive through the ghat roads of Nallamala Forest is more enjoyable and equally thrilling.
After few hours drive you enter the ghat road of Nallamala forest where you don't see much traffic.
All along the way, you can see our ancestors, I mean troops of monkeys and travels feeding them fruits / bananas etc. On reaching a height on the hills, you can see the awesome view
Before entering into Srisailam, pilgrims have the darshan of Sakshi Ganapati.
During Kartika Masam, there will be long lines in the temple for free darshan and even for special darshans. You can get tickets for Seeghra Darshan which costs Rs.150/- per person at the counter. You need to wait in one of the compartments which many take few hours during special occasions to have the darshan of Lord Mallikarjuna.
Return journey from Srisailam to Hyderabad through Nallamala forest is equally thrilling and enjoyable. If you drive in the evening, you can see Nature at Her best with the reddish orange tinge in the before sun set.
