Mallikarjun- the 2nd jyotirlinga among 12

 The second Jyotirlinga is known as Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, which is located in the town of Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is considered to be one of the most ancient and revered shrines in India and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.



According to Hindu mythology, it is said that the temple was built by Lord Shiva himself to please his consort Parvati, who wanted to stay at this place. The temple is also mentioned in several ancient Hindu texts, including the Skanda Purana and the Shiva Purana.


The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is a composite of two lingas - the Mallikarjuna and the Bhramaramba lingas. The Mallikarjuna linga is said to represent Lord Shiva, while the Bhramaramba linga represents his consort, Parvati.


The temple is known for its magnificent architecture and intricate carvings. The main shrine of the temple houses the Mallikarjuna linga, which is believed to be self-manifested or swayambhu. The temple also has several other shrines dedicated to various deities, including Lord Ganesha and Goddess Durga.



The temple is visited by thousands of devotees every year, especially during the Mahashivratri festival, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor at the temple.


The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus, and it holds great religious significance. The temple is believed to be one of the 18 Shakti Peethas, where the body parts of the goddess Sati are said to have fallen after her death.


The legend behind the temple states that once, a princess named Chandravati visited the forest in Srisailam and accidentally disturbed the meditation of a sage named Chandrasharma. The sage became angry and cursed her to turn into a stone. The princess pleaded for forgiveness, and the sage then told her that Lord Shiva himself would appear and liberate her from the curse.


Lord Shiva appeared as Mallikarjuna, and with his divine powers, he not only liberated the princess from the curse but also granted her the boon that all those who visit the temple and offer their prayers would be blessed with happiness and prosperity.


The temple has undergone several renovations and additions over the centuries, and the current structure dates back to the 14th century. It is believed that the temple was built by the kings of the Kakatiya dynasty and the Vijayanagara empire.


Overall, the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is a symbol of faith, devotion, and spirituality for Hindus. It is a place where devotees come to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati and to attain spiritual enlightenment.

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