Mallikarjun Temple in Andhra pradesh
Mallikarjun Temple in Andhra pradeshMallikarjun Temple is situated
on Shri Shaila Mountain by the banks of the Patal Ganga, Krishna
River in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Also known as Kailash
of the South, Mallikarjuna constitutes one of the 12 Jyotirlingam
shrines of Shiva and is one of the greatest Shaivaite shrines
in India. The presiding deities of Mallikarjuna Temple are Mallikarjuna
(Shiva) and Bhramaramba (Devi). Every year there is a fair organized
on account of Mahashivratri.
Legend
of Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga
According to Shiva Purana, when Lord Ganesh was married of before
his Kartikeya, and because of this brother Kartikeya became angry.
Despite being stopped and consoled by his parents Shiv-Parvati,
Kartikeya went away to the Kraunch Mountain. Even the Gods went
and tried consoling Kartikeya but all their efforts were in vain.
Because of this incident Shiv-Parvati were very sad and both decided
that they would themselves go to Kraunch Mountain. However, when
Kartikeya came to know that his parents have arrived, he went
away. Eventually Lord Shiva assumed the form of Jyotirlinga and
resided on that mountain by the name of Mallikarjuna. Mallika
means Parvati, while Arjuna is another name of Shiva. In this
way both Shiva and Parvati came to reside in this linga. It is
said that by merely seeing the tip of mountain one is emancipated
from all his sins and worries. The person becomes free from the
vicious cycle of life and death. |