Jyothirlingam Darshan I - SriSailam

Sourashtre Somanadham, cha Sri Shaile Mallikarjunam,

Ujjayinyam Maha Kalam, Omkaram, amaleshwaram,

Paralyam Vaidyanatham, cha Dakinyam Bhimasankaram,

Sethubandhe thu Ramesam, Nagesam thu Darukavane,

Varanasyam thu Viswesam, Trayambakam Gouthami thate,

Himalaye thu Kedaram, Ghushmesam cha Shivalaye,

Ethani Jyothirlingani sayam pratha paden nara,

Saptha janma krutham papam smaranena vinasyathi.

I want to visit all 12 Jyothirlingas and hence the ambitious 'I' in the title indicating 11 more blogs of the same genre will follow over the remaining years of this birth of mine :)!! Yes, I visited my first (second in the actual list as in the sloka above) Jyothirlinga sthalam - SriSailam - Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramarambha Devi.
This link gives the definition of Jyothirlinga and lists the 12 Jyothirlingas across India. Well, we (I, colleagues with family and friends) started from Bangalore by bus on March 13, 2009. There are two Super Luxury APSRTC buses from Bangalore to Srisailam and we took the first one at 1720 hrs. It was a 15 hour journey (via Anantapur, Kurnool, Atmakur).
We reached SriSailam by 0730 on March 14. It was a scenic route through ghats and forest. Thanks to Rajesh, our accomodation was arranged (lots of choultries / cottages available and the rooms are indeed good). Our Abhishekam was also arranged immediately. Unlike Tamil Nadu temples, here every one will be allowed to touch the Lingam and worship. Also, if one wishes
(if he's fortunate enough, rather!!), one can perform Abhishekam oneself to the Lingam (Mallikarjuna Swamy) at the sanctum sanctorum. The ticket costs Rs.600 - only one person will be allowed unless married, in which case, the couple will be allowed. It was a 15 minute Abhishekam and a phenomenal experience indeed. Do not miss it, if you happen to go there.
Followed by this, we went to Bhramarambha Devi sannidhi. This happens to be one of the Ashtadasa Shakthi Peetams. Had a great Darshan. We then worshipped the other Sannidhis - Vruddha Mallikajuna Swamy, RajaRajeshwara/Rajeshwari, Lingams et all along with Seetha and Rama prathishta sahasra Lingams.
There is also a branch of Kanchi Kamakoti peetam at the entrance of the temple, with shrines for Adi Shankara, Kumara swamy and Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra saraswathy (known as Maha Periava) - grace personified, as always.

The following are the other places of interest which we visited,
Sikhara Darisanam:

"SriSaila Sikharam Dhrushtva, Punar Janmam NaVidhyate" (The one who sees SriSaila Sikharam is relieved off rebirth), says Skanda puranam (written there :)). This is a point around 8 km from the temple from where the temple's Sikharam (Gopura Kalasam) will be visible for people who don't have rebirth. As expected, I couldn't see :) - I realized yet again, that I need to go a loooooooong way before attaining salvation (if at all!!) :).
IshtaKameshwari temple:

21 km from the main town, around 10 km inside deep forest is a small temple of Ishta Kameshwari. Jeep is the only mode of transport. There is NO ROAD whatsoever - one gets reminded of roller coaster (natural). I had to pray that I should come back fully :). Jokes apart, once one travels the distance, there is a very small shrine of the Goddess. One needs to crouch and go through the small (3 feet) enclosure to have a Darshan of the Goddess. The speciality here is that, the devotees can apply vermilion (kumkumam) to the Goddess' forehead. Great experience!! Had to comeback through the same road and at the end of the travel, I din't know which was where inside my body :). The travel will be difficult for people with back aches and weak spines.

Phaladhara Panchadara:

This place is a natural stream (five streams rather) of water with 5 different tastes signifying the forehead of Lord Shiva himself!! This place was so holy that Adi Shankara composed Shivananda Lahiri and Soundarya Lahiri in this place. There is a shrine of Sri Adi Shankara in this place. The water was unbelievably fresh. A nice place.

Hatakeshwaram:

A small temple of Lord Shiva.

Sakshi Ganapathi temple:

Sakshi means proof. The Ganesha here, takes note that one has visited SriSailam - kind of takes attendance. A cute little temple just like any other Ganesha temple :).

NS dam:

Dam built across river Krishna - is around 20 km in the Hyderabad - SriSailam route. Nothing great - Just timepass.

Well well, we were there for two days and had three darshans at the temple. Tickets of Rs. 100 and Rs.50 are available in addition to the free darshan. Came back through the same route and had a highly unforgettable dinner at Kurnool bus stand. It was so hot and spicy that you won't know whether the food was cooked or you are getting cooked while eating!!! oooooooooooooooooooh.
We reached Bangalore on Monday morning (1500 bus from SriSailam).

A really memorable experience. I wish everyone gets a chance to visit this place and pray that I am fortunate enough to visit the remaining 11!!
Om Nama Shivaya!!!