Sthala Puranam of Komuravelli Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple

One day Lord Mallikarjuna came in a dream of a shepherded and informed him that he made the hill Indrakeeladri and enshrined in it in a Putta Matti(Soft earth ) to fulfill the desires of the devotees. There is a staunch belief among the devotees that their desires are fulfilled by worshipping the deity Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam is located in Komuravelli on the Karimnagar – Hyderabad Highway which is also known as Rajiv Rahadari.

Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam temple is dedicated to fierce looking diety Lord Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy along with Kethamma and Medalamma on both sides of the deity. Devotees often refer this deity as Komuravelli Mallanna. This is one of the most frequented and famous temples in the Telangana region.

People from all over the state visit this temple on different occasions.Komuravelli ‘Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam’ is one of the prominent Siva temples in the northern Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. It is next to Rajarajeshwara Swamy Temple-Vemulawada and Mukteshwara Swamy Temple-Kaaleshwaram in popularity.

The pilgrims often refer to the god as ‘Komaravelli Mallana’. The temple is located in a cave on the ‘Indrakeeladri’ hillock at a distance of 110 Kms from warangal. The uniqueness of this temple is that the lord Shiva appears here in ‘vigraha rupam'(statue) other than the usual ‘linga rupam’.

The temple is maintained by the Endowments Department of the state government. Every year Lakhs of pilgrims visit this temple on the eve of Makara Sankranthi because at this time of the year the Brahmotsavam starts in Komauravelli.

It is believed that the deity of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy which is a clay molded is made around 500 years back. As the devotees started visiting the temple and as the rush increased the committee of the temple started developmental activities in the temple and made arrangements for the devotees and also built and renovated mandapamas and choultries, rest rooms, water facility etc.

Pedda Patnam which is celebrated on the Maha Sivaratri usually attracts lakhs of pilgrims.Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam made provisions for the devotees to do online reservations for various pujas, offerings for annadanam and various other sevas.

It is believed that the lord has married ‘Gollakethamma’ from Yadava community and ‘Medalamma’ from the Linga Balija community and settled here. So, both the goddesses are equally worshiped here. As a sentiment, the people from both Yadava and Balija communities head all the important rituals.

Temple

• Deity: The primary deity is Mallanna or Mallikarjuna Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, also known as Khandoba among Maharashtrian devotees.
• Location: Approximately 85 kilometers from Hyderabad, the temple is perched on a hill and can be accessed via the SH–1 Rajiv Rahadari highway.

Cultural Significance

• Folklore: The temple’s stories are primarily conveyed through Oggu Katha, a traditional storytelling format. One popular tale involves Mallanna overcoming challenges to marry Goddess Medalamma, showcasing themes of devotion and bravery.
• Festivals: Major celebrations include Maha Shivaratri and the Mallanna Jatara, which attract thousands of pilgrims. The Jatara begins from Sankranti and lasts until Ugadi, with special rituals performed on Sundays during this period.

Architectural Features

• The temple features a unique cave setting and houses clay idols believed to be around 500 years old. The main idol of Mallanna is approximately eight feet tall and is adorned with intricate decorations, including a golden crown and ornaments.
• Accompanying deities include Golla Kethamma, Goddess Ganga, and Medalamma (Goddess Parvati).

Visiting Information

• Opening Hours: The temple is open from 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with daily rituals including Archana, Aarti, and Abhisekham.
• Accessibility: The nearest railway station is in Warangal, while the closest airport is Hyderabad International Airport. Regular bus services operate to the temple from various locations.

Accommodation

There are several accommodation options available nearby for pilgrims, including local hotels in Siddipet and Warangal. The temple trust has also constructed facilities for devotees.The Komuravelli Mallanna Temple stands as a vibrant spiritual hub, rich in cultural heritage and community significance, making it a must-visit site for both devotees and tourists in Telangana.