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SRISAILAM
- MALLIKARJUNA SWAMI |
Sthalapuranam :
Legend says that Shiva and Parvathi in a brief strife have once cursed each other, as
a result of which Parvathi has assumed the form of a bee and Shiva lost his memory. Both
of them went wandering in the forests of Srisailam in search of each other. They got
relieved from their curses when they both came across each other and ultimately have
appeared here in the form of Mallikarjuna and Bhramarambika. The name, Bhramarambika is
after the form of the bee.
Another legend says that Vrishabha, the
sacred bull of Lord Shiva performed penance here. Hiranyakasapa of kritayuga is also
believed to have conducted pujas here. It is believed that SriRama and Sita visited the
shrine and installed the sahasra lingas(thousand lingas). So also is the case with
Pandavas whose temples are seen in the cluster of shrines within the temple besides the
Vatavriksha.
Fairs & Festivals :
Shivarathri falling in the month of Phalguna (usually late February or early March) is
major festive celebration here. Rudrabhishekam is performed round the clock here. Unlike
in other temples here the devotees are allowed to perform the Rudrabhishekam themselves.
The linga is actually bathed with water, milk and coconut water and embellished with the
holy ash and Bilva dalas (leaves of Aegle marmalos). After this one would proceed for the
kumkumarchana of Sri Bhramaramba Devi.
Every year in the month of Kartika (around
November) is celebrated the kalyanam of Lord Mallikarjuna and Devi Bhramaramba.
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