Sri Endala Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is located at Ravivalasa Village in Tekkali Mandal, Srikakulam District in Andhra Pradesh. The main murti worshipped in the shrine is known as Sri Yandala Mallikarjuna Swamy. The murti is swayambhu, which appeared on its own. The Shivling is 18 feet in height and 32 feet in width. Lord Rama worshipped the Shivling and did not construct a temple around it as the Shivling was growing.
Sri Endala Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple History And Story
The popular belief is that the murti worshipped in the temple belongs to the Treta Yuga. Bhagavan Sri Ram on his way back to Ayodhya from Lanka rested on the Sumantha hills at Ravivalasa.
Sushena, a physician in Rama’s army, was impressed by the hill. There were numerous medicinal plants in the hill but the still the people in the area suffered from various diseases.
Sushena decided to help the people of the region. He took permission from Bhagavan Sri Ram and stayed on at the hill. He did penance to Lord Shiva on the hills and cured the people of various diseases. After few years, Sushena died chanting the name of Sri Ram.
After a couple of years, Hanuman came in search of Sushena as Lord Ram wanted to know about Sushena.
Hanuman reached the Sumantha hills but could only see the skeleton of Sushena. Hanuman covered with skeleton with jasmine flowers and covered it with a deer skin.
When Lord Ram learned about the death of Sushena, he arrived on the hills to pay his respect along with Mata Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman.
A miracle happened when Lord Ram touched the skeleton. The skeleton of Sushena turned into a Shivling.
Lord Ram and the others took bath in a nearby pond and started worshipping the Shivling. The Shivling started to grow and its growth continued till Lord Ram concluded the puja.
It is said that the breeze from medicinal plants on the mountain when brushed on the Shivling attained miraculous powers which cured people of serious diseases.
The Shivling got the name Mallikajina – Mallika means jasmine and Ajinamu means deer skin. Even today the Shivling is covered with deer skin and worshipped with jasmine flowers.
It is believed that during Dwapara Yuga, Arjuna visited the temple and did penance here. Shiva gave darshan to him and as a boon agreed to keep the name Arjuna along with the name of Shiva. Thus Mallikajina came to be known as Mallikarjuna.
Temple Timing
5:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Important Festivals
The temple attracts thousands of devotees in Kartik Month (November – December). Shivratri is the most important festival in the temple.
Location
Tekkali Bus Stand to Ravivalasa Temple is around 3 km via Tekkali Meliaputti Rd
Srikakulam Bus station to Ravivalasa is around 25 km via Kalingapatnam, Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Road