HISTORY

Srisailam played a
dominant role in our religious, cultural and social history from ancient times.
According to pre-historic studies the habitational history of Srisailam goes back to about 30,000-40,000 years. Stone tools of that period are abundantly found at various places of Srisailam such as Bheemuni Kolanu, Kailasadwaram etc.
The Epigraphical evidence reveals that the history of Srisailam begins with the Sathavahanas who were the first empire builders in South India. The earliest known historical mention of the Hill - Srisailam, can be traced in Pulumavis Nasik inscription of 2nd Century A.D. Malla Satakarani, an early member of the Satavahanas got his name after ‘Mallanna’ the deity on this sacred hill.
The Ikshvakus (AD 200-300) ruled from their capital Vijayapuri, about 50 Km from Srisailam and so this Kshetram must get their patronage.
The Vishnukundis (AD 375-612) were the devotees of God Sriparvatha Swamy who was none other than Mallikarjuna Swamy, the presiding deity of Srisaila Kshetram. Most of their inscriptions contain the prasasti “Bhagavat Sriparvatha Swamy Padanudhyatanam”.
The Telagunda inscription of Kadamba Santi Varma proves that the Srisailam region was originally included in the Pallava Kingdom (AD 248-575) and subsequently formed the first independent principality of Kadambas (AD 340-450).
A part of the inscriptional evidences, the Architectural features of temple complex of Srisailam also attest the patronage of Chalukyas (AD 624-848)
According to pre-historic studies the habitational history of Srisailam goes back to about 30,000-40,000 years. Stone tools of that period are abundantly found at various places of Srisailam such as Bheemuni Kolanu, Kailasadwaram etc.
The Epigraphical evidence reveals that the history of Srisailam begins with the Sathavahanas who were the first empire builders in South India. The earliest known historical mention of the Hill - Srisailam, can be traced in Pulumavis Nasik inscription of 2nd Century A.D. Malla Satakarani, an early member of the Satavahanas got his name after ‘Mallanna’ the deity on this sacred hill.
The Ikshvakus (AD 200-300) ruled from their capital Vijayapuri, about 50 Km from Srisailam and so this Kshetram must get their patronage.
The Vishnukundis (AD 375-612) were the devotees of God Sriparvatha Swamy who was none other than Mallikarjuna Swamy, the presiding deity of Srisaila Kshetram. Most of their inscriptions contain the prasasti “Bhagavat Sriparvatha Swamy Padanudhyatanam”.
The Telagunda inscription of Kadamba Santi Varma proves that the Srisailam region was originally included in the Pallava Kingdom (AD 248-575) and subsequently formed the first independent principality of Kadambas (AD 340-450).
A part of the inscriptional evidences, the Architectural features of temple complex of Srisailam also attest the patronage of Chalukyas (AD 624-848)

The Kakatiayas (AD 953-1323) contributed much for the growth of the temple. Several steps in regulating the temple management were taken during their period. In the reign of Kakatiya Prathaparudra datable to 1313 AD, the gift of 70 villages to Srisailam temple made from time to time by several emperors, kings etc., was executed properly for the maintenance of the temple. Mailamadevi, sister of Ganapathideva is said to have constructed the vimana gopuram of Mallikarjuna Garbhalayam.
The period of Reddi Kings (AD 1325-1448) is the Golden Age of Srisaialm that almost all rulers of this dynasty did celebrated service for the temple. Prolaya Vema Reddi, the Reddi King constructed stepped path way to Srisailam and also Pathalaganga. Anavemareddi constructed the Veerasiro Mandapam in which the Veerasaiva devotees were cut off their hands, tongues, limbs with devotion and this practice was known as Veeracharam.
The Velama Chiefs constructed of steps at Jatararevu, en-route from Umamaheswaram to Srisailam. The major contributions and renovations at Srisailam were taken up by Vijayanagara Rules (AD 1336-1678). The Second Hariharaya of Vijayanagara Empire constructed the Mukhamandapam of Mallikarjuna Temple and also raises a Gopuram on the Southern side of the temple complex. Srikrishnadevaraya visited the shrine in 1516 AD on his return journey after a war with Gajapathis and constructed Salumandapas on both sides of the car street. It also taken the credit of the construction of Rajagopuram of the temple by him. The fall of the Vijayanagara rule witnessed Srisailam and this Kshetram lost its glory.

After the fall of Moghal Emperors this place came under the control of Nizam of Hyderabad. When the Nizam ceded the Kurnool District to the British East India Company in 1800 AD, Major Manor took procession of the District and entrusted the management of the temple to the Pushpagiri Matam. Later the then British Government handed over the temple administration to the District Court.
In 1929 a committee was constituted by the British Government for the management of the temple. In 1949 the temple came unber the control of Endowments Departments and attained its past glory after it was opened by the road during the year 1956.
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