The main Shivling worshipped at the Brahmarambha Mallikarjunaswamy temple at Srisailam is corroding due to contious abhishekams conducted for thousands of years. Regular abhisekham on the Shiva Lingam with water and use of panchamruthum — milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey — is the reason for the corrosion of the Shivling. Dedicated to Hindu God Shiva, Srisailam Temple is one among the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples. The Shiva Lingam here is Swayambhu – appeared on its own. The temple authorities are planning to gold plate the Shivling to avoid future corrosion. But religious heads and Vedic pundits are not of one opinion in the matter. Deccan Chronicle reports “About 1,000 liters of milk, 1,000 kg of sugar, water and other panchamruthams are used for abhishekam every day. Naturally, the granite lingam is affected,” said Chandrasekhar Azad, executive officer, Srisaila Brahmarambha Mallika-rjuna Devasthanam. Mr Azad said that the proposal for the gold plating was still in its f