The Complete Story of Mallikarjuna Jyotirling, Also known as the Kailash of South

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and also one of the 18 Shakti Peethas — a rare dual distinction known as the "Kailash of the South."

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Andhra Pradesh is one of the twelve main Jyotirlingas, and also one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas of India.

Origin Story: When Shiva and Parvati decided it was time for their sons Kartikeya and Ganesha to marry, they set a contest: whoever circled the entire universe seven times and returned first would marry first. Kartikeya set off eagerly on his peacock, but Ganesha, riding only a mouse, cleverly circled his parents seven times instead, explaining that to a devoted child, parents are the whole world. Delighted by his wisdom, Shiva and Parvati married Ganesha first, to Siddhi and Buddhi.

When Kartikeya returned and learned Ganesha had already married, he felt deeply wronged and left Kailash in anger, eventually settling at the place later called Shrishailam, vowing never to marry. To be near their son, Shiva and Parvati took the form of a luminous Jyotirlinga and settled on the mountain themselves - named Mallikarjuna, with "Mallika" representing Parvati and "Arjuna" representing Shiva. It is said Shiva visits on the new moon and Parvati on the full moon, each coming to see their son.

The Jyotirlinga is enshrined in the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, known as the "Kailash of the South" and one of the most important Shiva temples in the world.