Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh · 16.0740°, 78.8687°
Uniquely both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha in one hilltop complex above the Krishna gorge in the Nallamala forests — making Srisailam one of the most complete pilgrimages in the Shaiva-Shakta world. Chhatrapati Shivaji endowed a gopuram here in 1674; open to all castes historically, a rarity noted for centuries.
When Kartikeya withdrew to Krauncha mountain after losing the fruit-of-wisdom contest, Shiva and Parvati came to console him, dwelling here as Arjuna-of-the-jasmine (Mallika-Arjuna) and the bee-goddess Bhramaramba who hums behind the shrine still.
~180 km from Kurnool; hydel-dam hill town with pilgrim lodging.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Vijayanagara