12 Jyotirlinga Tour Packages: Malikarjun Jyotirling Temple

The architecture of the ancient Malikarjun Temple is very beautiful and intricate. The temple has fort like walls, towers and a rich endowment of sculptural work.

The huge temple is built in the Dravidian style with lofty towers and sprawling courtyards and is considered to be one of the finest specimens of Vijayanagar architecture. Temple of Tripurantakam, Siddavatam, Alampura and Umamaheswaram located in the vicinity of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlina are considered to be the four gateways to Sri Sailam. Hari Har Tirthdham is here in Somnath. This is the holy place of Bhagvan Shri Krishna's Neejdham Prasthan Leela. The place where Bhagvan Shri Krishna was hit by an arrow of a poacher is known as Bhalka Tirtha. After being hit by the arrow, Bhagvan Shri Krishna arrived at the holy confluence of Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati and their Sangam with the ocean. He performed his divine Neejdham Prasthan Leela at the sacred and peaceful banks of river Hiran.

The Geetamandir is built here where the divine message of Shrimad Bhagavat Geeta is carved on eighteen marble pillars. Shri Lakshminarayan Mandir is close by. The Balramjiki Gufa is the place from where Bhagvan Shrikrishna's elder brother Balaramji took journey to his nijdham-patal. Here is the Parshuram Tapobhumi, where Bhagvan Parshuramji carried out penance and he was relieved from the sin of Kshatriya killings. The Pandavas have said to have visited this place and taken holy bath in the Jalprabhas and built five Shiv temples.

According to the Shiva Purana, an incident occurred before the marriage of Shri Ganesh and Kartikeya, leading Kartikeya to become upset. Despite efforts from Shiv-Parvati to console him, he retreated to the Kraunch Mountain. Even the Gods' attempts to soothe him were in vain. Distressed, Shiv-Parvati decided to visit the Kraunch mountain themselves. Upon learning of their arrival, Kartikeya left. In the end, Lord Shiva manifested as a Jyotirlinga on the mountain, named Mallikarjuna, symbolizing Parvati (Mallika) and Shiva (Arjuna). Experience this intriguing tale with the assistance ofShiv Shankar Tirth Yatra, dedicated to enriching your journey.

In this way both Shiva and Parvati reside in this linga. The people who visit this Jyotirlinga are emancipated from all their sins and fulfill all their desires. It is for the welfare and well being of one and all. Another legend says Once, a princess named Chandravati decided to go to the Jungles to do penance and meditation. She chose Kadali Vana for this purpose. One day, she witnessed a miracle. A Kapila cow was standing under a Bilwa tree and milk was flowing from all of its four udders, sinking into the ground. The cow kept doing this as a routine chore everyday. Chandravati dug up that area and was dumb founded at what she saw.

There was a self-raising Swayambhu Shivlinga. It was bright and shining like the sun rays, and looked like it was burning, throwing flames in all directions. Chandravati prayed to Shiva in this Jyotirlinga. She built a huge Shiva Temple there. Lord Shiva was very pleased with her. Chandravati went to Kailash wind borne. She received salvation and Mukti. On one of the stone-inscriptions of the temple, Chandravati’s story can be seen carved out.