Srisailam Sikhara Darshanam #srisailam #travel #lordshiva #andhrapradesh #kurnool

The sacred Srisailam is ancient and elaborate in its historic significance. This holy precinct is home to many sacred temples, Ashrams, Mutts, water bodies and picturesque beauty. This is why it is believed that Siddhis and the greatest devotees of Lord Shiva travel from the Himalayas down to Srisailam to offer their prayers to Mallikarjuna Swamy. The compassion of God is in every bit of Srisailam in the form of holy water bodies, holy precincts and sacred trees. This is because the Lord has come down to reside in Srisailam along with all his beloved water bodies, trees and other gods to bless his devotees. One of such holy theerthas is Saileswaram known as Saileswaram, Sarveswaram, Seleswaram, etc.

Kedarasdodakam Pitva Vaaranasyaam Mrutasthada Srisaila Sikharam Drushtva Punarjanma Na Vidyate.(Srisaila Khandam) Tatreiva Shikaram Ramyam Parvatam Parashobhitam Shrugjadharmamaatreni Punarjanma Na Vidyate. (Padma Puranam) Srisaila Sikharam Drushtva Vaaranasyaam Mrutodruvam Kedarasyodakam Pitva Punarjanma Na Vidyate. Srisaila Sikhare Drushtve Manujeihi Paapakarmabihi Chitva Sarvani Paapani Yeshaam Muktham Dadati Cha. (Shiva Puranam) These lines detail the significance of visiting Srisaila Sikharam. Srisaila Sikharam(peak) is at the height of 2850 ft from sea level. Among the hills of Srisailam, this one is the tallest. Many centuries ago, devotees used to visit Srisailam by following the hilly, jungle path. The dense forest used to make their journey even harder and the tired devotees used to halt for rest and then reach the peak to complete their visit. Puranas state that when one takes a look at the peak from any distance, they are rid of all sins and the life-death cycle. The peak is located at a distance of 8kms from Mallikarjuna Swamy temple. The peak is a hilltop. The god that resides on Sikareswaram is Veerashankara who is most commonly known as Sikhareswara. The origin of the temple is unknown. But a 1920 A.D inscription that is seen at the front of the temple on the hill suggest that the temple belongs to an ancient era, before 1920.

Sikhareswara temple is east facing and has a sanctum, prayer hall and a front-facing hall. The temple resembles a hilly cave where the god receives many prayers. The prayer hall is smaller than the sanctum and the front-facing hall has 16 columns. At the middle of the front-facing hall, in between four columns is Nandi. On the inside of the front-facing wall, a bordered walkway is seen on three sides.

The steps that lead from the main entrance into the temple are constructed recently. Those who travel in private vehicles can reach the front side of the temple. On top of the temple is an area where a mortar and pestle are placed. This area can be accessed using 42 steps from the ground floor of the temple. Devotees crush seseme seeds here using mortar and pestle; then place their fingers of their right on either side of Nandi's horns and try to locate the Srisailam main temple. It is said that the mortar used to have a hole at the bottom from which the seseme paste would fall on to the god that resides below. The ancient rock has been replaced by a new one with no hole, but the custom still exists.

Here's a folklore about Sikhareswaram. After destroying Ravana, Sri Rama established a Lingam in Rameshwaram, after which he was consumed with the burden of Braahmahatyadosham. Following the advice of Narada, Sri Rama comes down to Srisailam to relieve his guilt. Lord Shiva along with Kumaraswamy were frequenting the area of Tripurantakakshetra. Lord Shiva in the form of Mallikarjuna, when hearing upon Sri Rama’s arrival decided to stay in a cave alongside a water body among a hill of Srisailam. The peace at this place has consumed Mallikarjuna Swamy. Sri Rama reached the highest hill where the lord resides. By the time Sri Rama took the blessings from the lord, the lord turned into a Shiva Lingam. The lingam merged into the hills of Srisaialam. This lingam is now known as Mallikarjunaswamy Lingam. The hill that Sri Rama climbed is Sikhareshwaram. This is a folklore, but it is a fact that Sri Rama accompanied by Sita and Laxman not only visited Srisailam, and established Sahasralingam but also showed how to offer Pradakshina at Srisailam by offering it himself. This Pradakshina is known as Sriramapradakshina.

Veerabhadra can be seen at the front of the Sikhareswara temple. Similarly, Lakshmi & Ganapati can be seen in front of the front facing hall. At the backside of the temple, near the old stairway is an ancient veerabhadra idol in ruins. At the front of the temple is a 300 sq.ft gundam. It is believed that a bath in the water in the gundam presents one with riches. This is why its called Vibhuthi Gundam. Manjari, a renowned devotee also claimed that one glance at the peak rids of all sins. So all devotees are requested to abide by the devasthanam regulations and worship the Sikhareswara on the peak if Sikhareswaram at Srisailam.

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