Greatness of Srisailam Temple:
Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy is the second jyothirlinga on earth. It is located in the Andhra Pradesh state of India. Apart from being one of the 12 jyothirlingas, Srisailam is also one of the 18 shakthipeethas of Parvati Devi, mother of the universe.
In this temple, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the name of Mallikarjuna Swamy and Parvati as Bhramaramba Devi.
When we go into the history of this temple, when Lord Shiva had to decide who will be the `Ganapati` or the head of Ganas between his two sons Vinayaka and Subrahmanya Swamy, he threw a challenge and announced that the winner will be the `Ganapati`.The terms of this competition are whoever revolves around the earth and return to Kailasam first will be declared as Ganapati.
Subrahmanyam, whose vehicle is the peacock, goes to earth and starts visiting all temples and has an illusion that his brother Vinayaka is coming out of the temple, whichever he is about to enter.
In the meanwhile, Vinayaka, whose vehicle is the rat and has got a heavier body, tells his parents that he cannot finish the task and prays his parents Lord Shiva and Parvati and revolves around them instead of earth.
Pleased by his humble behavior, Lord Shiva makes Vinayaka the `Ganapati`.With this, Subrahmanya Swamy gets annoyed and leaves Kailasam and goes to earth.
Lord Shiva goes to earth to request his sulked son to come back to Kailasa. On noticing that his son is desperate, Lord Shiva himself takes the form of Mallikarjuna and his wife Parvati as Bhramaramba Devi.
Scientifically also, this place is proved to have a comparatively higher magnetic field and the picturesque locations are more than enough reasons for one to visit apart from the temple. The tiger reserve situated in this place is an added advantage.
Devotees believe that all their sins will be excused and they will be liberated from the cycle of deaths and births by the grace of Lord Mallikarjuna.Especially in the season of Mahashivaratri, the temple will be filled with devotees coming from different parts of the country.
