Bhramaramba Srisailam
भ्रमराम्बा देवी — श्रीशैलम्, आन्ध्र प्रदेश
One of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas — and one of the very few shrines that is both a Shakti Peeth and a Jyotirlinga — where the Mother reigns as Bhramaramba beside Mallikarjuna in the Nallamala hills.
The bee-goddess of Srisailam भ्रमराम्बा
On the Srisailam plateau, sacred above the Krishna river, the Mother is Bhramaramba — “she of the bees.” Uniquely, Srisailam is at once a Maha Shakti Peeth and the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, so here the Devi and Shiva (her Bhairava) are worshipped side by side as one supreme kshetra.
Why 'Bhramaramba'
Legend tells the Devi took the form of countless bees (bhramara) to destroy the demon Arunasura, whom no two- or four-footed creature could slay — and so she is adored as the bee-goddess.
Shakti Peeth + Jyotirlinga
Very few places carry both honours. At Srisailam the pilgrim bows to the Jyotirlinga of Mallikarjuna and, behind it, to Bhramaramba — Shiva and Shakti in one hill-shrine.
Where the Mother reigns with Mallikarjuna कथा
In the Shakti Peeth tradition a part of Sati is linked with Srisailam (in some accounts, the neck). What is beyond dispute is the shrine's rank among the eighteen Maha Peethas, and its rare union with the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga.
So the seeker who climbs to Srisailam finds the two great streams — Shaiva and Shakta — meeting as one, in a forest kshetra revered for ages by tantriks and saints.
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
namas-tasyai namas-tasyai namas-tasyai namo namaḥ ॥
Seva at the sanctum पूजा
Bhramaramba and Mallikarjuna are served through the day with linked rituals; timings shift with the season and festival days. Confirm locally.
| Seva / Aarti | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Suprabhata & Mangala | Pre-dawn |
| Mahanyasa / Abhishekam | Morning |
| Alankaram & bhog | Midday |
| Sandhya Aarti | Evening |
Offerings
Kumkum, flowers, coconut and sweets to the Devi; bilva and abhishekam to Mallikarjuna. Kumkum-archana to Bhramaramba is especially prized.
The Bhairava — Mallikarjuna
Uniquely, the Jyotirlinga itself stands as the Lord of the kshetra; take both darshans together for the full grace of Srisailam.
Festivals पर्व
Navaratri & Bhramaramba Utsav
The Mother's great nine nights, with grand alankarams.
Mahashivaratri
The Jyotirlinga's supreme night draws vast crowds to Srisailam.
Telugu New Year
Special worship as the new year begins.
Pilgrim season
Pleasant months for the forest yatra to the plateau.
Yatra guide यात्रा
✈️ By Air
Hyderabad airport is ~200 km; Kurnool is closer for regional access.
🚗 By Road
~210 km from Hyderabad through the Nallamala forest; buses and taxis serve Srisailam.
🚉 By Train
Markapur / Nandyal are the nearer railheads; most reach by road.
🗓️ Best time
Oct–Feb is pleasant; Mahashivaratri & Navaratri are grand but crowded.
🌊 Nearby
Srisailam Dam on the Krishna, Sikharam viewpoint, and the forest ghat roads.
🎫 Tip
Both darshans (Jyotirlinga + Devi) can be long on festival days — start early.