President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the project “Development of Srisailam Temple in the State of Andhra Pradesh” on December 26 at Srisailam Temple Complex, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
About the project
- The project has been sanctioned and executed under PRASHAD scheme viz. National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive of the Ministry of Tourism.
- The project is 100% funded by the Ministry of Tourism of Government of India.
About PRASHAD Scheme
- The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) is a Central Sector Scheme with complete financial assistance by the Government of India.
- The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15 with the vision of focused integrated infrastructure development to harness pilgrimage and heritage tourism destinations for its direct and multiplier effect upon employment generation and economic development.
Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
- Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati and the only temple in India significant to both Saivism and Shaktism.
- The presiding deity of the place is Brahmaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy in natural stone formations in the shape of Lingam and is considered one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas of the Goddess, Parvati.
- Apart from being one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and Shakti Peethas of India, the temple is also classified as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam.
- The idol of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi are thought to be ‘Swayambhu’ or self-manifested, and the unique combination of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi in one complex is one-of-a-kind.
Paadal Petra Sthalams
- Paadal Petra Sthalams are the 275 Siva temples that are revered in the Tevaram verses of the Nayanars, where at least one of Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar have sung at least one full pathigam dedicated to the specific temple.
