2025-07-03 Thu

Srisailam, a revered town and significant pilgrimage center in Andhra Pradesh, is renowned for the Srisailam Temple, also known as the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple. The area has been inhabited for approximately 30,000 to 40,000 years, with evidence of various Stone Age sites from the Lower, Middle, and Upper Paleolithic periods uncovered in Srisailam, as noted by archaeologist V.V. Krishna Sastry.

Epigraphical findings indicate that the Historical significance of Srisailam dates back to the era of the Satavahanas. The earliest recorded reference to the site can be traced to an inscription by Vasishthiputra Pulumavi from the 2nd century CE, found in Nashik. Throughout its history, the region has experienced the influence of numerous dynasties, including the Ikshvakus, Vishnukundins, Pallavas, Kadambas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, the Reddi KINGDOM, and the Vijayanagara Empire.

The Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, situated on the Nallamala Hills, is dedicated to Lord SHIVA (Mallikarjuna Swamy) and Goddess Parvati (Bhramaramba Devi). It holds profound significance within hinduism, being recognized as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and one of the revered Shakti Peethas. The temple is characterized by four gopurams and a variety of shrines, with the most prominent being those of Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba.

According to the Srisailam Temple Kaifiyat (1981), published by the Andhra Pradesh Government, the earliest inscriptions pertaining to the temple date back to the 11th century. It refers to the Chalukyan Emperor Trilokya Malladeva who made a #donation of the Village of Sivapura to support the maintenance of the school affiliated with the temple. The Kakatiyas (953-1323 CE) contributed significantly to the temple's development, and the period of the Reddi Kingdom (1325-1448 CE) is often regarded as a golden age for Srisailam. The Vijayanagara rulers continued this legacy, with Harihara II constructing the mukha mandapam of the Mallikarjuna Temple and raising a gopuram on the southern side of the temple complex. Under the reign of Krishnadevaraya, important structures such as the Salu Mandapas and Rajagopuram were also established. Following the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, Srisailam experienced a decrease in its prominence.

The temple is renowned for its collection of Copper plates. In 2020, 28 copper leaves/foils inscribed in Odiya, Telugu, and Devanagari scripts were discovered during the renovation of the Panchamathas. Subsequently, in 2024, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) unveiled additional copper plates and inscriptions located in the temple's Ghantamandapam. This significant find comprised 20 sets of copper plates, totaling 72 leaves, as well as GOLD coins.

Interestingly, one copper plate inscription at the temple contains the first recorded mention of #comet in India (this was Halley's coment which was named so in 1759).This periodic comet is known to return to the inner Solar SYSTEM approximately every 75-76 years. Dated 28 June 1456, the inscription documents a land grant made by the Vijayanagara king Mallikarjuna to a scholar of the Vedas. Historical astronomical data indicates that the Comet was visibly observed during the summer of 1456 was Halley's Comet (more than 300 years before Halley named it). The inscription is written in Sanskrit using Nagari script.

On 15 September 2003, India #post issued a set of 4 Stamps along with a horizontal se-tenant strip featuring Temples of India. One among them is the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple for a face value of Rs. 5.