Quick answer: Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, on a hill above the Krishna river, about 215 km (5 to 6 hours) from Hyderabad. Darshan runs roughly 4:30 am to 3:30 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm. Sarva darshan is free; Sparsha darshan (touching the linga) is a paid ticket of about Rs 500, booked on the Srisaila Devasthanam website. Plan two nights.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Srisailam is the only place among the twelve where a Jyotirlinga and one of the great Shakti Peeths share the same temple walls. Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramaramba Devi are worshipped a few steps apart, deep in the Nallamala forest, and the drive through the tiger reserve is part of the yatra. This guide explains darshan types and timings, the dress expected for Sparsha darshan, how to reach, and what else to see on the hill.
What is the story of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga?
According to the Shiva Purana, a contest was held between Ganesha and Kartikeya over who would marry first. Ganesha won by circling his parents, and Kartikeya, hurt, left Kailash for the Krauncha mountain in the south. Bhagwan Shiva and Mata Parvati followed to bring him back and settled on Srisailam to be near their son. Devotees believe Parvati is present as Mallika (the jasmine) and Shiva as Arjuna, which gives the deity his name.
Bhramaramba Devi, whose shrine stands behind the main temple, is believed to have taken the form of a bee (bhramara) to destroy the demon Arunasura. Her temple is counted among the eighteen Maha Shakti Peeths. Adi Shankaracharya is said to have composed the Shivananda Lahari here, and the hill is also called Srigiri and Dakshina Kailasam.
Srisailam darshan and aarti timings
| Session | Usual time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mangala aarti | About 4:30 am | Temple opens |
| Morning darshan | About 4:30 am to 3:30 pm | Sparsha darshan slots fall in this window |
| Temple closed | About 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm | Mahamangala aarti before reopening |
| Evening darshan | About 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Complex is beautifully lit after dark |
| Shravan month | About 4:00 am to 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm | Longer hours, longer queues |
| Mahashivratri | Extended, often 4:30 am to 10 pm or later | Special rules announced each year |
The Devasthanam revises hours for festivals and crowd control, so check the official site in the week of travel.
Darshan types and how to book
| Darshan | Reported fee | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Sarva darshan | Free | General queue; darshan from a short distance |
| Seeghra darshan | About Rs 150 | Shorter queue |
| Athi Seeghra darshan | About Rs 300 | Faster queue, alankara darshan |
| Sparsha darshan | About Rs 500 per person | Enter the sanctum and touch the linga; limited slots, often suspended on festival days and heavy weekends |
Tickets and sevas are booked on the official Srisaila Devasthanam website (online booking, darshan tickets) with a government photo ID, or at counters on the hill. The Devasthanam also runs its own rooms, which are booked on the same site and fill early in Karthika masam. Prices and slots change; these are the figures reported in 2026, so treat them as a guide.
Dress code and temple rules
- For Sparsha darshan and arjitha sevas, traditional dress is generally expected: dhoti or pancha with an upper cloth for men, saree or churidar with dupatta for women. Check the rule printed on your ticket.
- For general darshan, decent, modest clothing is enough; avoid shorts and sleeveless tops out of respect.
- Mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside the main temple; lockers are provided.
- The Devasthanam runs annadanam (free meals) for devotees.
How to reach Srisailam
| From | Distance | Time | Route notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyderabad (airport or city) | About 215 km | 5 to 6 hours | Highway to Achampet, then forest ghat road |
| Markapur Road station | About 85 km | 2.5 hours | Nearest railhead on the Guntur–Guntakal line |
| Kurnool | About 180 km | 4 hours | Useful from Bengaluru side |
| Vijayawada | About 250 to 270 km | 6 hours | Via Vinukonda and Dornala |
The final stretch passes through the Nagarjunsagar–Srisailam Tiger Reserve, where vehicle movement is restricted at night. Plan to enter and leave the forest in daylight. Srisailam has no airport or railway station of its own.
When to go, and when to avoid
October to February is cool and pleasant. Karthika masam (around November) and Mahashivratri (6 March 2027) are the holiest times here, and the hill can host several lakh devotees; Sparsha darshan is often stopped and rooms are full weeks ahead. The Brahmotsavam around Mahashivratri and the Ugadi festival bring large groups from Karnataka and Maharashtra. Summer (April to June) is hot but quieter. In the monsoon the forest is green and the reservoir full, which is when the boat rides run.
Nearby tirthas on the Srisailam hill
- Bhramaramba Devi: inside the same compound; take darshan of both.
- Sakshi Ganapati: about 3 km away. By tradition, Ganesha here records the name of every yatri who has come to Srisailam, so devotees stop to “sign in”.
- Patalaganga: the bathing ghat on the Krishna, reached by ropeway or several hundred steps.
- Shikhareshwaram: a viewpoint temple; it is believed that seeing the main temple’s shikhara from here frees one from rebirth.
- Hatakeshwaram and Paladhara–Panchadhara: quiet forest shrines linked with Adi Shankaracharya.
- Akkamahadevi caves: reached by boat on the reservoir when the forest department runs it.
- Umamaheswaram: near Achampet on the Hyderabad road, regarded as the northern gateway to Srisailam.
A simple two-night plan for Srisailam
- Day 1: leave Hyderabad by 7 am, stop for breakfast on the highway, and enter the forest stretch by early afternoon. Check in, rest, and take evening darshan of Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramaramba Devi after 6 pm.
- Day 2: early second darshan (or your Sparsha slot), then Sakshi Ganapati, the Patalaganga ropeway and the dam viewpoint. Keep the afternoon for rest, and the evening for Shikhareshwaram if the family is fresh.
- Day 3: check out by 9 am so you clear the forest road well before dusk, with a stop at Umamaheswaram if time allows.
Combining Mallikarjuna with other Jyotirlingas
Srisailam is geographically alone among the twelve. The closest are the Maharashtra Jyotirlingas, about 600 km or more away. Most families either do Srisailam as a stand-alone 3- or 4-day yatra from Hyderabad, or link it by flight to the south: Hyderabad to Chennai or Madurai for Rameshwaram. Families travelling from Pune or Mumbai sometimes drive Bhimashankar and Grishneshwar first, then fly Aurangabad–Hyderabad. See the 12 Jyotirlinga list for a regional plan, and the Shakti Peeth yatra guide if Bhramaramba is part of your sankalp.
How we can help
Our Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga yatra (2 nights, 3 days from Hyderabad, from ₹18,500 per person) keeps you two nights on the hill for an unhurried darshan, Sakshi Ganapati and Patalaganga. For a gentler pace with a day in Hyderabad first, see the Hyderabad and Mallikarjuna yatra (3 nights, 4 days, from ₹25,000 per person). We help you book Sparsha darshan on the official site in your own names where slots are open. Other plans are on our Jyotirlinga yatra page. Use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
What are the Srisailam temple darshan timings?
The temple usually opens with the Mangala aarti at about 4:30 am and offers darshan until about 3:30 pm, then reopens from about 6 pm to 9 pm. In Shravan the evening session starts earlier, around 4:30 pm, and on Mahashivratri hours are extended. The Devasthanam changes timings for festivals, so check its official website before travel.
What is Sparsha darshan at Srisailam and how much does it cost?
Sparsha darshan lets you enter the sanctum and touch the Mallikarjuna linga yourself, which is not possible in the general queue. It is reported at about Rs 500 per person, with fixed slots and limited numbers. It is booked on the Srisaila Devasthanam website or at the counter, and is often suspended on festival days and crowded weekends.
Is there a dress code at Mallikarjuna temple?
For general darshan, modest clothing is enough. For Sparsha darshan and paid sevas, traditional dress is generally expected: a dhoti or pancha with an upper cloth for men, and a saree or churidar with dupatta for women. Rules can change, so read the conditions on your ticket. Phones and cameras must be left in lockers.
How far is Srisailam from Hyderabad?
About 215 km by road, which takes 5 to 6 hours. The first half is highway; the last 70 km or so is a winding forest road through the tiger reserve, where night driving is restricted. Leave Hyderabad early in the morning and plan to return in daylight. There is no airport or railway station at Srisailam.
Why is Srisailam both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peeth?
Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas named in the stotram, and Bhramaramba Devi, whose shrine stands behind the main temple, is counted among the eighteen Maha Shakti Peeths. Devotees therefore receive the darshan of Shiva and Shakti together, which is why the place is especially dear to families who follow both traditions.
When is the best time to visit Srisailam?
October to February has the most comfortable weather. Karthika masam (around November) and Mahashivratri are the most auspicious but also the most crowded, with very long queues and full rooms. Summer is hot but quieter. The monsoon is green and scenic, and boat rides to Akkamahadevi caves are most likely to run then.
How many days do we need for Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga?
Two nights on the hill is ideal: arrive by afternoon and take evening darshan, then use the next day for an early second darshan, Sakshi Ganapati, Patalaganga and the dam viewpoint, and return on the third morning. A same-day visit from Hyderabad is possible but means 10 to 12 hours on the road.
Can senior citizens do the Srisailam yatra?
Yes. The main temple is on level ground and wheelchairs are usually available at the entrance. The Patalaganga ropeway avoids the long flight of steps. The long drive is the main strain, so break it with stops and avoid festival days, when standing time in the queue can stretch to several hours.