Features & Aspirations

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva and Parvathi Maata came here and resided, assuming the name Arjun and Mallika. Thus the place and the temple were called Mallikarjun. This small shrine located about 3 km from Srisailam has been frequented by pilgrims since ancient times.

It is significant to the Hindu sects Saivam and Shaktam both, as this temple is referred to as one of the twelve Jyothirlingas of Lord Siva and as one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas of Goddess Parvathi. In fact, it is one of the only three temples in India where both Jyotirlinga and Shaktipeeth are revered.

The traditional belief is that Lord Ganapathi in this temple keeps an account of all pilgrims as ‘Sakshyam’ or evidence and is thus renowned as ‘Sakshi Ganapati’.

Lord Kumara Swamy also known as Kartikeya, Skanda, Murugan, and Subrahmanya Swamy is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. A revered deity in South Asia, He is worshipped as the Hindu God of War who triumphs over evil.

As the legend goes, there was an Asura called Tarakasura, who had to be destroyed to restore cosmic balance. As Tarakasura could be killed only by a baby, the Devas prayed to Lord Shiva who then released 6 fiery sparks and gave them to Agni to bring forth the creation of this divine child. Ganga Maata took the divine sparks of grace to Himalayan lake ‘Sara-vana’ (forest of reeds) in Polgai. These six sparks became six beautiful babies cradled in six red lotus flowers. Parvathi Maata combined these babies into one entity with six faces known as Shanmukha.

Thus Lord Kumara Swamy arose in his omnipresent form with six heads! He could see in all six directions… North, South, East, West, Sky-wards, and Earth-wards. Lord Kumara Swamy Temple embodies this very splendid divine form represented by the six-petaled lotus. Six signifies the six attributes leading to salvation: Gnana (Wisdom), Vairagya (Detachment), Bala (Strength), Keerthi (Fame), Shree (Wealth), and Aishwarya (Divine Power).

‘Swadhisthana Chakra’ or the lotus with six petals has a deep spiritual significance. Swadisthana actually means ‘dwelling place of the self’. It is related to the moon which represents pure water. It is said that one who meditates on Swadhisthana is believed to obtain the status of a Lord among yogis.