Famous Temples in India

Architecture

As per Hindu legend, the presiding deity in the form of Linga (an iconic form of Shiva) was worshipped with jasmine (locally called Mallika), leading to the name of presiding deity as Mallikarjuna. The existing main temple is a huge complex consisting of separate temples of Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba, several sub shrines, pillared halls, mandapas, springs etc., The temple of God Mallikarjuna is situated in the centre of inner courtyard and faces to the east. The temple of Bhramaramba is faces to the east and located in the back court yard of the main complex at an elevated level and is very near to the western Gopuram of main prakaram. The Prakaram wall contains four Dwaras (principal gates) at four cardinals surmounted by the Gopuras. The eastern entrance is the Mahadwaram. The present Garbagraha was constructed by the Kakatya queen Mailamamba in 1220-30 A.D. This queen, who was the sister of Kakati Ganapathi Deva, in the inscription gloriously proclaims that, she constructed a temple for Siva, which is like virtual Kailasa. It can be safely be presumed that, the present Garbhagraha of the Srisailam was constructed by her in 13th century. At present this Vimana Gopuram was gilded with Gold plates. At a distance of 1 km from Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple, Pathala Ganga is the sacred place in the backwaters of River Krishna. This is the place where devotees can have a holy dip in the river Krishna.

Inscriptions : The Telagunda inscription of Kadamba Santi Varma proves that the Srisailam region was originally included in the Pallava Kingdom (A.D. 248-575) and subsequently formed the first independent principality of Kadambas (A.D. 340-450). A part of the inscriptional evidences, the Architectural features of the temple complex of Srisailam attest the patronage of Chalukyas (A.D. 624-848). The Kakatiyas (A.D. 953-1323) contributed much for the growth of the temple. Several steps in regulating the temple management were taken during their period. In the reign of Kakatiya Prathaparudra datable to 1313 A.D., the gift of 70 villages to Srisailam temple made from time to time be several emperors, kings etc., was executed properly for the maintenance of the temple. Mailamadevi, sister of Ganapathideva is said to have constructed the vimana gopuram of Mallikarjuna Garbhalayam.

Nandi Mandapa : This large sized pillared Mandapa is situated immediately beyond the Mahadwaram. It is in square shape and has porches projected to the east, south and northern sides.

Veerasiro Mandapa : This important structure is situated immediately to the west of the Nandi mandapa, built by the Reddi King Anavema Reddi in the year 1378 A.D. According to an inscription, this mandapa was constructed for the purpose of offering of their own heads, hands and tongue to the God by the Veerasaivas and this unique practice was named as Veeracharam. At present this open mandapa has 16 pillars and the low Adhistana is a simple structure.

Mukha Mandapa : The Mukha mandapa is situated to the west of the Veerasiro mandapa. It is an elaborated closed hall consisting of 16 pillars. This mandapa is also named as Maha mandapa and was built by the Vijayanagara king, Harihararaya – II in the year 1405 A.D. There are three entrance gates with pillared porches on the east, south and north. There are three entrance gates with pillared porches on the east, south and north. All are these have decorated doorways and covered by the silver ornamented sheets at present. The Mandpa is extended 41.2 feet in length and 41.4 in width. The base of this mandapa is a plain structure and the exterior walls above it are decorated with Devakosthas. These Kosthas are narrow and are not having any images. There are also latticed windows on either side of the porches. The interior of the mandapa has four rows of four pillars each. The central pillars are standing on a square which is slightly elevated. The lower part of the ceiling is divided into compartments and a big lotus was carved in the central one. At the south – west of this mandapa there is four handed seated Vinayaka made of fine red stone and named as Ratnagarbha Ganapathi. Where as in the north – west, forty handed Veerabhadra holded with various weapons and four handed Bhadrakali are placed ,both of these are made with black stone and are in standing posture. This Veerabhadra is called as Sudarshana Veerabhadra. At the east of this mandapa there is a Nandi of black stone faces to the self emanated Jyothirlinga of Mallikarjuna.

Antharala : Unlike the Mukha mandapa, the antharala is simple and plain structure. Even though the muka mandapa and antharala are not separated by any specific entrance, it contains a two pillared entrance like structure. The front portion of the pillars are decorated with a silver covering having dwarapalakas on either side and several forms of Siva such as Chandrasekara murthy, Arthanareeswara murthy, Gangadara murthy, Lingodpower murthy, Somaskanda murthy, Nandikeswara murthy and Nataraja one above the other. The antharala is roughly hundred square feet dimension in extent.