Mallikarjun Temple, Srisailam
The Mallikarjun Temple located in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India. The temple is an architectural marvel with a rich history dating back to the 1st century AD.
Temple History
The temple gets its name from the town Srisailam, which is situated on the banks of the Krishna River. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Mallikarjuna, a form of Shiva. The deity is worshipped as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The temple also houses the shrine of Goddess Bhramaramba, a form of Parvati and one of the 18 Shakti Peethas.
The story associated with the temple is that once Shiva and Parvati wanted to marry off their sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya. Kartikeya went around the world first and claimed victory, but Ganesha was declared the winner as he circumambulated his parents, who he considered as his world. An upset Kartikeya went to live in a forest. Shiva and Parvati went to meet him, and that place came to be known as Srisailam.
Shiva manifested here as Mallikarjuna on a full moon night when he was worshipped with jasmine flowers. Parvati manifested as Bhramaramba. Mahashivratri is the most important festival celebrated here.
The temple was built during the Satavahana dynasty in the 1st century AD and expanded during the Vijayanagara Empire. It has four gateway towers and numerous shrines housing the lingams of Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba. The temple complex covers 2 hectares and has several carved pillars, sculptures, and koṣṭas.
Significance
The Mallikarjuna Temple is significant as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva and one of the 18 Shakti Peethas. The temple is classified as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams, dedicated to Shiva. The river Krishna flowing nearby is known as Patal Ganga and bathing in it purifies the Mallikarjuna lingam.
The temple can be reached by train to Markapur station or by air to Rajiv Gandhi Airport, Hyderabad. The temple timings are from 6 am to 8 pm. Other places of interest nearby are the Akka Mahadevi caves and Srisailam dam.
In conclusion, the Mallikarjuna Temple at Srisailam is a sacred place of worship for Hindus and an architectural marvel with a rich history spanning over 2000 years. The co-existence of the Jyotirlinga and Shakti Peetha makes it even more divine and significant.
The Story Behind Mallikarjuna Temple’s Name
There are several stories associated with how the Mallikarjuna Temple got its name:
- According to the most common legend, Lord Shiva emerged as “Arjuna” to save Arjuna from a demon named Malla. Shiva assumed the form of a hunter and killed Malla, saving Arjuna. Hence the name ‘Mallikarjun’, which means ‘Malla’s slayer’.
- Another story says that Shiva emerged here as “Arjun” and was worshipped with jasmine flowers (“mallika” in Telugu), leading to the name Mallikarjuna.
- A third legend mentions that Lord Shiva and Parvati wanted to marry off their sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya. Kartikeya went around the world first and claimed victory, but Ganesha was declared the winner as he circumambulated his parents, who he considered as his world. An upset Kartikeya went to live in a forest. Shiva and Parvati went to meet him, and that place came to be known as Srisailam. Shiva manifested here as Mallikarjuna and Parvati as Bhramaramba.
- The temple is also referred to as Adavat Sinhasanadhishwar Mahapati Canacona by locals, indicating that the presiding deity sits on an “unlimited” throne.
In essence, the name Mallikarjuna refers to Lord Shiva emerging in the form of Arjuna, either to save Arjuna from a demon, or to be worshipped with jasmine flowers. The temple marks the place where Shiva and Parvati went to meet their son Kartikeya, and hence Shiva manifested here as Mallikarjuna. The exact story behind the name may vary slightly based on the source, but they all point to Shiva emerging in a form related to Arjuna.
Temple Architecture and Features
The Hindu temple complex has several architectural features based on principles of symmetry, geometry and cosmology. Some of the main features are:
Garbhagriha: The innermost sanctum that houses the main deity. It is a simple cubicle representing the Universal Spirit.
Mandapa: The pillared hall that acts as the prayer hall. It provides space for devotees to gather and perform rituals.
Shikhara or Vimana: The tower above the sanctum. It represents Mount Meru, the abode of gods. In North India it is called Shikhara and is curvilinear. In South India it is called Vimana and is pyramidal.
Amalaka: The stone disc seen at the top of North Indian temples above the Shikhara.
Kalasha: The pitcher-like pinnacle that crowns the tower.
Antarala: The vestibule between the sanctum and mandapa.
Jagati: The raised platform around the sanctum where devotees can sit and pray. Mainly seen in North Indian temples.
Pradakshina Patha: The circumambulatory path around the shrine where devotees perform rituals.
Gopurams: The towering entrance gates, mainly seen in Dravidian temples of South India. There may be multiple gopurams at the cardinal points.
Pillars: Decorative pillars that support the roof of the mandapa. They are often elaborately carved.
Sculptures: The outer walls of the temple are adorned with sculptures depicting deities, legends and mythological scenes.
The Significance of the Garbhagriha in Hindu Temple Architecture
The garbhagriha, or sanctum sanctorum, is the innermost chamber of a Hindu temple that houses the primary deity. It is considered the “womb chamber” and “holy of holies” of the temple. The garbhagriha holds great spiritual and symbolic significance:
- It represents the cosmos in microcosm. The garbhagriha symbolizes the primordial womb from which the universe originated. It signifies the link between the human and the divine.
- It houses the murti (icon) of the presiding deity, which is considered the embodiment of the divine. The garbhagriha acts as the body of the deity, manifesting its presence in the material world.
- It is positioned at the center of the temple’s cosmic diagram, representing the “axis mundi” and connecting heaven and earth. The garbhagriha forms the horizontal axis of the temple, with the shikhara or vimana above forming the vertical axis.
- It is usually windowless and dimly lit, creating an atmosphere for inward spiritual contemplation. Devotees meditate on the divine presence within the garbhagriha.
- The tower above the garbhagriha represents Mount Meru, the mythical mountain at the center of the Hindu cosmos. The garbhagriha itself represents the mythical cave of salvation.
- Only priests traditionally enter the garbhagriha to perform rituals and worship the deity. Laypeople remain in the outer mandapa. This separation symbolizes the distinction between the material and spiritual realms.
In summary, the garbhagriha is the spiritual heart and focal point of the Hindu temple. Its architecture, positioning, and atmosphere all reflect its symbolic role as the dwelling place of the divine and a metaphor for the cosmic womb from which the universe originated. The garbhagriha helps devotees connect with the formless divine through its tangible form within the chamber.
Hope this overview helps explain the significance of the garbhagriha in hindu temple architecture! Let me know if you have any other questions.
