Why this Jyotirlingam Named as Mallikarjuna

The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, the term “Mallika” means Parvati and “Arjun” means Shiva. Mallikarjuna is the second among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. This temple is situated in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh and on the banks of the Krishna River at Srishail, which is called “Sri Parvata” mountain.

The temple is also called Kailash of the South. It is believed that whoever worship Lord Shiva with devotion and faith in this temple, gets virtue equal to the virtue obtained from “Ashvamedha Yagya (अश्वमेध यज्ञ)”. भारत के 12 ज्योतिर्लिंगों के बारे में जानें.

The Ancient Story of Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga(मल्लिकार्जुन ज्योतिर्लिंग)

According to Shiv Puran, the story of Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga is related to Shiva-Parvati, Ganesh ji and Lord Kartikeya. When Ganesh ji and Karthikeya became eligible for marriage, one day Shiva ji and Goddess Parvati thought that now these two sons should get married.

After the idea of marriage of both the sons came, Shiva and Parvati called Kartikeya and Ganesh. Lord Shiva told both the sons that the one among you who returns first after circling this world, we will get him married first.

As soon as Lord Shiva heard the condition, Karthikeya immediately flew away sitting on his vehicle peacock. Ganesh sat on his vehicle rat and after some thinking he walk around his parents. Ganesh told Shiva-Parvati that both of you are the whole world for me.

Shiva and Parvati became very happy with these words of Ganesh. Then they got Ganesh married. After some time, Kartikeya returned after circling the world. He saw that Ganesh was already get married.

When Karthikeya came to know the whole story, he became angry. He felt that his parents i.e. Shiva-Parvati had not done right with him. Angered by this, Kartikeya left Mount Kailash and went to Mount Kraunch. Kraunch mountain is located on the banks of the Krishna River in Krishna district in South India.

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati tried hard to convince the angry Kartikeya, but Kartikeya did not agree. When Shiva and Parvati realized that Kartikeya would not return to Kailash, they decided that from now on they would visit Kartikeya from time to time.

It is believed that after this, Shiva and Parvati used to come here every now and then in their disguise to see Kartikeya. When Kartikeya came to know about this, he installed a Shivalinga and worship there, in which Shiva and Parvati resided in the form of light.

Special Facts About This Temple

Another specialty of this Jyotirlinga is that there is “Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga(मल्लिकार्जुन ज्योतिर्लिंग)” along with a “Shakti Peetha”, this is a unique pair of Shiva and Shakti here. Such coincidences there are only three in such temples in India.

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, is the temple is a specimen of architecture with its tall towers and beautiful royal carvings. It is also surrounded by high walls which makes it strong.

It is believed here that visiting this temple brings wealth and fame to the Shiva devotee. Believed that, Goddess Parvati fought the demon Mahishasura (महिषासुर राक्षस) by transforming herself into a bee(खुद को एक मधुमक्खी में बदल कर लड़ाई की थी). Devotees believe that they can still hear the buzzing of bees from a hole in the “Bhramaramba” temple.

How to reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

If you want to have visit of this Jyotirlinga, then many modes of transport are easily available from across the country to Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. The nearest airport here is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport of Hyderabad. From here one can reach the temple with the help of bus or taxi. The nearest station to Krishna district is Markapur, one can get trains from all the big cities of the country. One can easily reach here by the road.