Komuravelli Mallanna Temple in Siddipet, is dedicated to Shiva in the form of Lord Mallikarjuna. Set on a rocky hill in Komuravelli village, Siddipet district is about 85 km from Hyderabad and is also called as Khandoba by the Maharashtrian people and this temple draws thousands of devotees from across Telangana and beyond.
Mythological Importance
The Komuravelli Mallanna Temple holds old legends. One tale tells of a shepherd named Mallanna, a devoted follower of Shiva, who found a lingam on this hill after a divine vision. Lord Shiva appeared as Mallikarjuna, blessing the site as a holy shrine. Another story says Mallanna was a village hero who fought demons to protect his people, earning Lord Shiva’s divine favor. Locals believe the hill’s lingam has sacred power, granting strength and protection.
Historical Overview
The temple began in the 10th century, under the Chalukya dynasty, though some say worship started earlier. Komuravelli, a quiet village, was a spiritual spot, old records say. A stone writing from 960 CE near the hill marks a sacred lingam, but the temple grew with Chalukya kings. In the 12th century, Kakatiya rulers added halls and steps, as carvings show. The 1700s saw local chiefs build a stone tower, making it a busy pilgrimage place.
In the 1800s, Hyderabad’s Nizams kept it safe, and prayers continued, Siddipet logs note. After 1947, Telangana’s Endowments Department took over, and from 2015 to 2017, repairs added new paths while keeping the old sanctum. Telugu songs by saints like Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra, who sang of Shiva, carried its name far. Today, it stands as a sign of strong faith, calling thousands to Komuravelli’s hill.
Temple Architecture and Design
The Komuravelli Mallanna Temple, covering 2 acres, blends Dravidian and Chalukya styles, rooted in the hill’s rugged charm. The gopuram, rebuilt in 2015, rises high with stone carvings of Shiva with his trident, Parvati with lotuses, and sages praying, painted in cream and gold. A stone door with floral patterns leads to the sanctum, where the Mallikarjuna lingam, 3 feet tall, stands under a plain vimana, its stepped roof showing purity. The sanctum’s rock walls, worn by time, hold faint Chalukya etchings of Shiva’s dance, lit by ghee lamps.
Small shrines for Kala Bhairava, Veerabhadra, and Bhadrakali are scattered on the hill, carved from local granite with open stone covers. The Kala Bhairava shrine, from 1100 CE, shows him with a sword, guarding the temple. The Veerabhadra shrine, by the steps, depicts him with weapons, carved in devotion. The Bhadrakali shrine, near the sanctum, shows the goddess with a fierce face, granting power. These shrines, though small, join the temple’s worship, offering paths to faith.
Perched on Komuravelli hill, the temple is reached by 200 stone steps, worn by pilgrims over centuries. The steps pass small lingams, some hidden in rocks, others open to the sky. The hilltop courtyard, paved with rough granite, feels holy, shaded by neem and banyan trees. A stone tank, fed by a hill spring, is used for ritual baths, its edges carved with lotus shapes, a Chalukya touch. The temple’s low walls, made of plain stone, have niches for Naga figures, said to guard the grounds.
Carvings on pillars and walls tell Shiva’s stories—his union with Parvati, his fight with demons—etched to guide devotees. The 2015 repairs added strong paths but kept the hill’s wild, sacred feel, making it a quiet place for prayer.
Rituals and Festivals
The temple celebrates festivals with full devotion. Kumbh Mela, in January, is the biggest, honoring Mallikarjuna with Bonalu offerings and chariot processions. Maha Shivaratri in February or March has fire rituals and lingam worship. Ugadi in March or April sees lamp-lighting by the tank. Daily worship includes Suprabhata Seva (morning prayers), Archana (offerings), and Deeparadhana (lamp ritual). Services like Abhishekam and Rudra Homam can be booked at the temple office. A prasad stall gives free jaggery sweets to devotees. Kumkum Archana, offering vermilion on Mondays, is for peace and strength.
Information for Travelers
Hours and Entry: Open daily, 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM, then 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Entry is free, but rituals can cost 50-300 rupees.
Clothing: Wear modest clothes covering shoulders and knees. Men doing rituals wear dhotis, often bare-chested, as custom.
How to Get There:
Air: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, 110 km away, is nearest. Taxis take 2 hours, costing 2000-3000 rupees.
Train: Siddipet Railway Station, 20 km away, links to Hyderabad (1.5 hours). Autos to the temple cost 100-150 rupees.
Road: Komuravelli is 85 km from Hyderabad. Buses from Hyderabad’s Jubilee Bus Stand (2 hours) stop at Komuravelli, 1 km away. Autos cost 20-40 rupees.
Places to Stay: Siddipet has guesthouses like Haritha Hotel (500-1000 rupees). Hyderabad, 85 km away, has more hotels. Stalls by the temple sell dosa, vada, and tea.
Best Time to Visit: October to March has cool weather, 20-30°C. Weekdays are calm. Kumbh Mela brings crowds, so book early.
Nearby Attractions: Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple, 60 km away in Vemulawada, is a major Shiva shrine. Kondapochamma Temple, 20 km away, offers local faith.
Final Thoughts
The Komuravelli Mallanna Temple in Siddipet is a beautiful Kshetra where the presence of Lord Mallikarjuna fills every corner of the temple complex, making it a must-visit for devotees among the state’s sacred places.
