Jyotirlinga & Shakti Peetha in One
Srisailam, roughly 200 km southeast of Hyderabad, holds a rare double distinction in Hindu pilgrimage geography: the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple here is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, and the same complex also honours Bhramaramba Devi as one of the Shakti Peethas — very few temples in India carry both designations at once.
The temple sits deep inside the Nallamala forest, reached by a long, winding ghat road that is as much a part of the experience as the destination itself. Below the temple town, the Krishna river carves a genuinely dramatic gorge, visible from Patala Ganga and from the nearby Srisailam Dam.
This is a temple visited for both faith and scenery — plan for a long but rewarding day trip from Hyderabad, or better, an unhurried overnight stay.
🛕 Srisailam at a Glance
Want a day-by-day plan? Follow our Jyotirlinga yatra routes.
Going by road? See our guide to road trips from Hyderabad.
Planning a pilgrimage? See our guide to the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Best Time to Visit Srisailam
The ghat road through Nallamala forest makes timing matter more here than at most temple towns.
Cool, dry conditions make the winding ghat-road drive considerably more comfortable, and temple queues are generally more manageable outside major festival dates.
Heat builds through the day — an early morning departure from Hyderabad keeps the long drive comfortable.
The forest turns a deep green and the Krishna gorge fills dramatically, but the ghat road demands more caution and slower driving.
The temple's biggest occasion draws enormous crowds and long queues — atmospheric, but plan for a very different, far more crowded visit.
Our pick: October to February — the cooler, drier window that makes both the ghat-road drive and the temple visit itself genuinely comfortable.
How to Reach Srisailam
Srisailam's remote forest location means the drive itself needs planning, whether from Hyderabad or Kurnool.
- By road from Hyderabad: Roughly 200 km, about 5-6 hours including the ghat-road stretch through Nallamala forest — the most common approach for most visitors.
- By road from Kurnool: A shorter alternative route from the Andhra Pradesh side, also via forest roads.
- Nearest railhead: Markapur Road or Nandyal, both requiring a further road journey onward — driving directly from Hyderabad is simpler for most travellers.
Temple, Patala Ganga & the Krishna Gorge
Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
The main temple complex, honouring both Mallikarjuna (Shiva, as a Jyotirlinga) and Bhramaramba Devi (as a Shakti Peetha) — the dual significance draws pilgrims seeking either or both blessings in a single visit.
Patala Ganga
A steep descent — by steps or ropeway — down to the Krishna river itself, where devotees traditionally bathe before heading up to the temple. Even for non-pilgrims, the descent offers striking views into the gorge below.
Krishna River Gorge & Srisailam Dam
The Krishna carves a genuinely dramatic gorge through the Nallamala hills here, and the Srisailam Dam a short distance away is worth a stop for the scale of the reservoir and the surrounding forested hills.
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
The temple town sits within the broader boundary of one of India's largest tiger reserves — you won't be on safari simply visiting the temple, but the forest setting is a constant backdrop, and wildlife-crossing signage along the ghat road is a reminder of what surrounds it.
Where to Stay at Srisailam
Accommodation is a mix of temple-run guesthouses and a handful of forest/tourism department lodges — book ahead around major festival dates.
- → Devasthanam (temple trust) guesthouses
- → Basic lodges in the temple town
- → Dormitory-style pilgrim accommodation
- → Haritha (Telangana Tourism) resort
- → Private hotels near the temple
- → Forest-view guesthouses
- → Premium forest resorts nearby
- → Well-appointed tourism department cottages
- → Full-board pilgrimage packages
Suggested Visit Plan (2 Days)
Hyderabad to Srisailam
- ✓Early departure via the Nallamala ghat road
- ✓Check in, temple darshan in the evening
- ✓Evening aarti at the temple
Patala Ganga, Dam & Return
- ✓Morning descent to Patala Ganga
- ✓Srisailam Dam viewpoint
- ✓Drive back to Hyderabad
* With more time, combine Srisailam with Nagarjuna Sagar for a fuller Krishna-river circuit.
Where to Eat at Srisailam
- Temple prasadam: Annaprasadam (free/subsidised meals) is served to pilgrims at the temple, a common way many visitors eat here.
- Local eateries in the temple town: Simple Andhra/Telangana thali restaurants cluster around the temple area.
- Resort/lodge dining: Most accommodation options serve straightforward South Indian meals to guests, useful given limited standalone restaurant variety.
Budget Breakdown
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation/night | ₹1,000 | ₹3,000 | ₹6,500 |
| Car hire from Hyderabad (round trip) | ₹6,500 | ₹9,000 | ₹13,000 |
| Food/day | ₹400 | ₹900 | ₹2,000 |
| Special darshan (optional) | ₹300 | ₹500 | ₹1,000 |
* Figures are per person, per day (except car hire, a round trip figure best split across a group).
Essential Tips for Visiting Srisailam
- Start early for the ghat road: Numerous hairpin bends are best driven in daylight and before midday crowds build.
- Dress modestly: As with most major temples, conservative clothing is expected inside the complex.
- Book accommodation ahead on festival dates: Maha Shivaratri in particular draws huge crowds and fills rooms fast.
- Watch for wildlife-crossing signage: The forest road runs through tiger reserve buffer areas — drive attentively, especially at dusk.
- Carry cash: Card acceptance thins out once you're off the main highway.
✅ Do
- →Start the drive from Hyderabad early
- →Visit Patala Ganga for the gorge views
- →Dress modestly for the temple
- →Book ahead during Maha Shivaratri
- →Carry cash for the temple town
- →Combine with Nagarjuna Sagar if time allows
❌ Don't
- →Drive the ghat road after dark if avoidable
- →Underestimate the drive time from Hyderabad
- →Expect fast-moving queues on festival days
- →Rely on cards outside the main temple town
- →Rush the visit into a same-day round trip if you can avoid it
- →Ignore wildlife-crossing signage on the forest stretch
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Srisailam from Hyderabad?
Roughly 200 km, a drive of about 5-6 hours given the winding ghat road through the Nallamala forest for the final stretch. Most visitors treat it as a long day trip with an early start, or a more relaxed overnight visit.
Is Srisailam both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha?
Yes — the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple here is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva, and the same complex also honours Bhramaramba Devi as one of the Shakti Peethas, a rare dual significance shared by very few temples in India.
What is the best time to visit Srisailam given the ghat road?
October to February is best — cooler weather and clearer conditions make the winding ghat-road drive through Nallamala forest considerably more comfortable. Avoid the peak monsoon months when the forest road can be more difficult to drive.
Do I need to stay overnight at Srisailam?
Not strictly, but given the length of the drive from Hyderabad, an overnight stay lets you visit the temple without rushing and add Patala Ganga and the dam viewpoint at a relaxed pace rather than cramming everything into a single long day.
Is Srisailam inside a tiger reserve?
The temple town sits within the broader Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve landscape, one of India's largest tiger reserves. You won't be on a safari simply visiting the temple, but the forested ghat road does pass through reserve buffer areas, so watch for wildlife-crossing signage.
What is Patala Ganga at Srisailam?
A site where a long flight of steps (and a ropeway option) descends steeply down to the Krishna river itself, where devotees traditionally bathe before heading up to the main temple. It's also simply a scenic spot given the dramatic river gorge below.
Published by the Kudozz Club editorial team · Last updated · How we research our guides
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