Do You Know Mallikarjun Temple Story?

There are twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India and Mallikarjuna Temple holds the second position among them. It is located in the sacred mountainous region called Srisailam in the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India. This Jyotirlinga has been specially described in Koti Rudra Samhita of Shiva Purana. Mallikarjuna is not only a Jyotirlinga, but it is also a Shakti Peeth – such a unique confluence is not found anywhere else in India.

Let us know Mallikarjun Temple Story

The word ‘Jyotirlinga’ is made up of two parts – Jyoti i.e. light and Linga i.e. the symbolic form of Lord Shiva. This is such a Shivling in which Shiva himself is established in the form of fire or light. According to the Puranas, when Brahma and Vishnu had a dispute over superiority, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a huge pillar of fire and made them realize his infinity. Jyotirlingas were established at 12 places as a symbol of that divine pillar.

In one of our earlier articles, we have known the story of the first Jyotirlinga Somnath, now we know the story of the second Jyotirlinga. Read this article to know the story of Somnath Jyotirlinga.

As soon as he heard this, Lord Kartikeya set out on a journey across the earth on his vahana (peacock). But Lord Ganesha’s vahana (vehicle) was Mushak (mouse), which was slow in speed. In such a situation, he used his intelligence. He made his parents sit at one place and did seven parikramas around them. Ganesha said this while telling, “For me both of you are the whole creation.”

Pleased with this sentiment and wisdom, Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati got Ganesha married to Siddhi and Buddhi.

When Kartikeya returned after completing his earth journey, he saw that Ganesha was married. He became disappointed and angry. He decided to live alone on Krounch Parvat and refused to return home.

The parents were saddened by the sadness of their son. They sent Devarshi Narada, but Kartikeya did not listen. Finally Lord Shiva and Parvati themselves set out to meet him.

When Kartikeya came to know about his parents’ journey, he himself travelled a distance of 36 kms to meet them. At the same place, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Jyotirlinga and started living there.

This place came to be known as Mallikarjuna – ‘Mallika’ is the name of Goddess Parvati, and ‘Arjun’ is the name of Lord Shiva. Hence, this place depicts the immortal saga of love between parents and son. The mountain on which this holy Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva is established is also called the Kailash of the South.

Mallikarjuna is not only a Jyotirlinga, but it is also one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas where the body parts of Sati Mata fell. Hence, this temple is a symbol of the joint presence of both Shakti and Shiva.

Goddess Bhramari or Bhramaramba( bhramaramika) is the residing goddess.The legend of Daksha Yaga and Sati’s self-immolation resulted in the emergence of Sri Parvati in the place of Sati Devi and making Shiva a householder. This mythology is the story behind the origin of Shakti Pithas. They are holy abodes of Adiparashakti formed due to the falling of Sati Devi’s corpse when Shiva carried it and wandered. It is believed that Sati Devi’s Upper lip has fallen here.