According to the legend, Silda Maharishi's son Parvatha did penance here and requested Lord Shiva to stay with him. Pleased with the penance, Lord Shiva agreed. Parvatha assumed the shape of Shriparvat hill and Lord Shiva started residing on the top of Shriparvat in the form of Mallikarjuna.

Another story is that Ganesha and Swami Kartikeya, the sons of Shiva and Parvati, had a fight over who should marry first. His parents said that whoever comes here first after doing three rounds of this earth, will get married first. Ganesha performed seven rounds around his parents Shiva-Parvati and worshiped them duly.

Enraged, Kartika left for Krauncha mountain, Shiva and Parvati found him there, Kartikeya went three miles away when Lord Shiva appeared as a Jyotirlinga light on that Krauncha mountain.

'Mallika' is called Mother Parvati, while 'Arjuna' refers to Lord Shankar. Thus since then, this place is called Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga. It is said that Shiva and Parvati visit this place every new moon and full moon.

The mention of this temple is found in the Pulumavi of Nasik inscription in the 1st century AD. The Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Reddys, Kakatiyas, and Vishnukundis were the followers of King Mallikarjuna. The Vijayanagara emperor and Chhatrapati Shivaji contributed to the growth of the temple as well as constructed various mandapas and gopurams. There is an idol of Nandi and a Jyotirlinga in front of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The Bhramarambhika Devi temple is built in the Hoysala style with exquisitely carved pillars. The idol of the goddess has eight beautiful ornate hands.

Service and worship

The sanctum sanctorum is small but devotees can enter the sanctum sanctorum and perform abhishek.
Morning Darshan starts at 5 AM, Maha Mangla Aarti at 5:50 PM, Darshan- 6:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, and Maha Mangla Aarti at 5 PM
Abhisheka, Rudra Yagya, Maha Mrityunjaya Homam and Chandi Homan are performed in the Mallikarjuna temple.

Celebration

• Maha Shivaratri Brahmotsavam (February to March)
• Ugadi is visited by many pilgrims from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• Dussehra: The 9 days of Dussehra are celebrated when Bhramramba Devi is worshipped.

Best time to visit: All year round

Interesting fact:

• This place is unique as it is a Jyotirlinga and it is one of the 18 Shaktipeeths.
• Srisailam is the Siddha Bhoomi where people worship to attain salvation.

Nearby Places:

Sakshi Ganapati Temple, Patal Ganga, Paladhara Panchadhara, Thiripurantkar Temple, Alampur Jogulamba Temple