Tirupati to Srisailam Taxi: Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga and Bhramaramba Shakti Peetha

About Srisailam: Jyotirlinga and Shakti Peetha in one temple complex

Srisailam sits on the Nallamala hills on the bank of the Krishna river and is one of the few places in India that holds both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha. Lord Mallikarjuna is worshipped here as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, and the goddess Bhramaramba is honoured as one of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas. For many families a Tirupati to Srisailam taxi is the way to add this great Shaiva centre to a southern pilgrimage that already includes Tirumala.

The temple complex is surrounded by a tall stone fortress-like wall, and the inner shrines are reached through carved gateways. The name Mallikarjuna is linked in tradition with the jasmine (mallika) flower and with Arjuna, and the hill itself is considered sacred, which is why the whole town is regarded as a kshetra.

History and what to see

The temple is very old and has been patronised by many dynasties over the centuries, including the Satavahanas, the Kakatiyas and the Vijayanagara rulers. Later additions and the stone walls are often linked to Vijayanagara and Maratha-era patronage. Treat exact dates you hear locally as tradition rather than record.

Besides the two main shrines of Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba, visitors usually see Sakshi Ganapati, Hatakeswaram, Pala Dhara and Panchadhara, and the Sikharam viewpoint. Paataala Ganga, the stretch of the Krishna river below the town, is reached by steps or a ropeway. The Srisailam dam and the Nallamala forest are part of the tiger reserve area, so the scenery on the way is a big part of the trip.

Temple entry, queues and tickets are handled by the pilgrim directly with the Devasthanam. Phones and cameras may need to be deposited at lockers near the entrance, and rules can change, so check on the day.

How the trip works with a cab from Tirupati

The usual route runs from Tirupati to Kadapa, then Nandyal and Atmakur, and then up through the forest section via Velgodu and Dornala before the final ghat to Srisailam. Road distance quoted by different map sources ranges between roughly 390 and 430 km depending on the route chosen, and we plan around 420 km one way, which is about 840 km for the round trip plus local movement.

This is not a day trip. A realistic plan is to leave Tirupati very early, reach Srisailam by late afternoon, stay overnight, complete the temple visit the next morning and drive back the same day or break the return at Nandyal or Kadapa. Many families prefer three days so that nobody drives more than a single long stretch per day.

Our drivers are used to hill and ghat roads, and a cab from Tirupati to Srisailam can be booked in a sedan for a couple, an SUV or Innova class vehicle for families, or a tempo traveller for larger groups. Hotels and Devasthanam guest houses are not booked by us. The traveller arranges the overnight stay and any temple accommodation directly.

Ghat road and forest section notes

The last stretch to Srisailam passes through the Nallamala forest with curves, slopes and wildlife crossing zones. Older reports mention night restrictions on vehicle movement on the forest road (figures such as 9 pm to 6 am have been reported), with relaxations during major festivals. We could not verify the current official hours, so confirm locally with the forest check-post or police before you travel and plan to cross the forest section in daylight.

Heavy rush has caused slow traffic on the ghat during festival days, so add buffer time. Avoid stopping to feed wild animals, do not litter, and keep to the speed limits on the forest road.

Practical tips

Carry a light jacket for early mornings, a water bottle, and valid identity proof for temple and guest house check-ins. Keep cash for small purchases because network coverage can be patchy in the forest. Eat a proper meal before the ghat section, as options are limited between Atmakur and Srisailam.

If you want a quieter visit, avoid Monday, weekends in Karthika month, Maha Shivaratri week and school holidays. Related trips from Tirupati that work well in the same area are Ahobilam and Yaganti, both of which fit into a longer Andhra temple circuit.

Sample plan

1. Day 1, 4:30 AMLeave TirupatiStart before sunrise to complete the long drive in daylight. Route through Kadapa and Nandyal.
2. Day 1, 9:30 AMBreakfast near Kadapa or NandyalLast good meal stop before the forest section.
3. Day 1, 3:00 PMCross the forest ghat to SrisailamAim to be through the forest road before dusk. Confirm current forest road timings locally.
4. Day 1, eveningCheck in and restThe traveller books the hotel or Devasthanam accommodation. Walk to the temple surroundings and Sikharam viewpoint if time allows.
5. Day 2, early morningMallikarjuna and Bhramaramba templesTemple entry and any seva tickets are handled by the pilgrim directly with the temple.
6. Day 2, late morningSakshi Ganapati, Pala Dhara, Paataala GangaOptional short stops around the town.
7. Day 2, afternoonReturn driveEither drive back to Tirupati late at night or break the journey at Nandyal or Kadapa. A third day is more comfortable.

Taxi cost by vehicle

Frequently asked questions

More trips from Tirupati