How to Reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (Srisailam): From Hyderabad, Bangalore, Tirupati & More

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is located at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, and for most pilgrims the most practical way to reach it is by road. Srisailam does not have its own railway station or a major commercial airport, so visitors arriving by train or flight must complete the final leg by road. Hyderabad is one of the most convenient gateways, with Srisailam roughly 220–230 km away by road.

The temple is in the Nallamala hills, so part of the last leg is through forests and along ghat-road. Transport options include bus, private car and taxi for the shorter distances, or train + road and flight + road for the longer journeys. It’s best to check current schedules of bus, train and plane before your trip as their availability and routes tend to change.

For temple timings, darshan arrangements and accommodation, readers should also see the complete Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga temple guide.

Quick Distance Table: Major Cities to Srisailam

Road distances listed below are approximate to Srisailam town where Mallikarjuna temple is found, the figures vary with different journey planners based on where you start from and which road you choose, so think of them as planning ranges rather than miles. Srisaila Devasthanam itself mention Hyderabad as 220 km, Bangalore 530 km, Vijayawada 272 km and Kurnool as 180 km.

For instance, the existing route data for the current road route indicates Hyderabad-Srisailam road distance at approximately 213 km, Bangalore-Srisailam at about 530 km and Tirupati-Srisailam at around 365-367 km.

Srisailam and Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga are essentially the same destination for route planning

The handy piece of information for the online surfers is that Srisailam is a town and Mallikarjuna Jyothirlinga is a holy temple situated in that town. The official Srisaila Devasthanam states that the Srisaila is ‘home of Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramaramba Devi’.

Therefore, searches such as:

• “Srisailam to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga distance”
• “Hyderabad to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga distance”
• “Bangalore to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga distance”

usually refer to reaching the Srisailam temple area.

The Srisailam to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga distance is not a separate intercity journey. Once you reach Srisailam, you are already in the temple town.

Nearest Railway Station to Srisailam

The first thing to know about the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga nearest railway station is that Srisailam itself does not have a railway station.

The Srisaila Devasthanam identifies Markapur as the railway connection for Srisailam and says Markapur is about 91 km away, with buses available onward to Srisailam.

Markapur Road (MRK)

Distance: approximately 82–91 km by road, depending on the exact station/destination point and route
Onward travel: bus, taxi or private vehicle
Typical road time: around 1.5–2.5 hours

Markapur Road railway station is the most commonly used railhead for travellers approaching Srisailam from the railway network. Current route calculations put the road distance from Markapur Road station to Srisailam at about 84 km.

The station is useful because travellers can combine a train journey with a relatively short road transfer. APSRTC and other road services connect the Markapur area with Srisailam, although the exact availability should be checked for the date of travel.

Who should consider Markapur Road?

• Travellers whose train naturally passes through the station
• Pilgrims coming from cities with convenient rail connections
• Travellers who prefer train travel for the long-distance portion
• Groups willing to arrange a taxi for the final leg

Do not choose a train simply because the station is geographically closer. The best railhead depends on your train’s route, arrival time and onward transport.

Cumbum

Distance: roughly 100–108 km by road
Onward travel: taxi or road transport
Typical road time: around 2 hours

Cumbum is another railway station in the region. Current road-distance sources put Cumbum station at about 102–108 km from Srisailam.

Cumbum can therefore look attractive on a map, but its practical usefulness depends heavily on the train you can catch and the onward road connection. It should not automatically be treated as the better option simply because it appears in searches for the nearest railway station.

Bottom line: There is no railway station in Srisailam. Compare Markapur Road and Cumbum based on your actual train route and arrival time rather than distance alone.

Nearest Airport to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

Srisailam does not have a major commercial airport for normal scheduled passenger services. For most travellers, the practical strategy is fly to a suitable gateway and continue by road.

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad

Distance: approximately 220–230 km by road
Typical road time: around 5–6 hours
Best for: most domestic and international travellers

The Srisaila Devasthanam specifically identifies Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad as the nearest airport and gives the road distance as about 230 km. It also notes frequent bus connectivity from Hyderabad.

This makes Hyderabad the strongest air gateway for most pilgrims because the airport has much broader connectivity than smaller regional airports.

From the airport, you can:

• hire a private taxi or arrange a pre-booked transfer;
• travel towards Hyderabad and continue by bus;
• use a private vehicle for the complete airport-to-Srisailam journey.

Allow extra time for the final hill-road section, especially if travelling with children, elderly passengers or luggage.

Kurnool Airport

Kurnool Airport, also known as Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy Airport, is at Orvakal. It is an operational domestic airport; the Airports Authority of India lists Kurnool among operationalised regional-connectivity airports, and current airline/route data shows scheduled domestic services.

Road distance to Srisailam: approximately 175 km from Orvakal
Typical road time: around 3.5–4 hours
Current connectivity: limited domestic network

Current route data shows Kurnool Airport has scheduled services on a small number of domestic routes, including Bengaluru, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, operated by IndiGo.

So Kurnool can be useful only if your flight connection happens to work well. It should not automatically replace Hyderabad as the preferred airport. For travellers coming from cities without a convenient Kurnool connection, Hyderabad remains the more practical gateway.

How to Reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga from Hyderabad

Hyderabad is one of the easiest starting points for Srisailam.

Distance: approximately 213–230 km
Travel time: roughly 4.5–6 hours by road
Best option: direct road journey or bus

The exact Hyderabad to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga distance depends on your starting point in the Hyderabad metropolitan area and the route used. Current road-distance data gives about 213 km, while the temple’s own connectivity page rounds the distance to about 220 km.

By Road / Car

The usual road approach uses the Hyderabad–Srisailam corridor, with NH 765 forming the main connection for much of the journey.

A road trip is particularly convenient for:

• families;
• groups travelling together;
• pilgrims carrying luggage;
• travellers wanting flexibility for meals and rest stops.

The final approach through the Nallamala region is different from ordinary city driving. Expect winding roads and bends, and allow more time than a simple kilometre calculation might suggest.

The official temple authority advises private-vehicle travellers to exercise caution on the Srisailam ghat roads.

By Bus

Government road transport connects Hyderabad and Srisailam. The temple’s official connectivity information specifically notes frequent bus services from Hyderabad, while APSRTC provides its current timetable and booking system online.

Because schedules can change, check the current service before travelling rather than relying on an old timetable or quoted fare.

Best for: budget-conscious travellers, solo pilgrims and anyone who does not want to drive.

By Train + Road

There is no direct train to Srisailam. A train traveller must first reach a suitable railhead such as Markapur Road and then continue by road.

This option can make sense when:

• your originating city has a convenient train to Markapur Road;
• you prefer overnight rail travel;
• you want to avoid a long road journey from Hyderabad.

Best Option from Hyderabad

• Fastest/easiest: private car or taxi, subject to traffic and road conditions.
• Budget: bus.
• Family: private car or pre-arranged taxi.
• Solo traveller: bus is often the simplest.
• Train-dependent: train to Markapur Road + road transfer.

Always confirm current transport timings before booking.

How to Reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga from Bangalore

Distance: around 530 km by road
Travel time: roughly 8.5–10 hours, depending on route, traffic and stops
Best option: road trip or bus

The Bangalore to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga distance is about 530 km on current route data, and the temple authority gives the same broad figure.

For a road trip, Bangalore is far enough from Srisailam that a full-day journey should be planned rather than treating it as a short excursion.

By Road

Driving is attractive for families and groups because it avoids changing vehicles. Build in breaks and avoid trying to make up lost time on the final ghat sections.

By Bus

Bus services are available on the wider Bangalore–Srisailam travel corridor, but exact direct-service availability and departure times can change. Check current APSRTC and private-operator listings before booking.

By Train + Road

A train journey can be combined with a road transfer from a suitable railway station. However, it is not necessarily faster than a direct road journey, so compare the complete door-to-door travel time.

By Flight + Road

Flying is generally less attractive for this particular route because Srisailam still requires a substantial road transfer after landing. Consider it only when a convenient flight connection significantly improves the overall journey.

For families: private vehicles are usually the most flexible.
For budget travellers: bus is worth checking first.

How to Reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga from Tirupati

Distance: approximately 365–430 km by road, depending on route
Travel time: roughly 5.5–7 hours
Best option: road or bus

The Tirupati to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga distance varies noticeably between route planners. One current route gives about 365–367 km, while another mapping result gives a longer route of about 432 km.

For planning, it is safer to allow a range rather than publish one supposedly exact figure.

By Road or Bus

A direct road journey is the simplest approach if you are combining the two pilgrimage destinations. Current transport listings also show bus travel between Tirupati and Srisailam, but schedules should be checked for your travel date.

By Train + Road

Train connections can work through Cumbum or Markapur Road, followed by a taxi or bus. This can be useful if you prefer rail travel, but compare connection times carefully.

Tirupati + Srisailam Pilgrimage Route

Combining Tirupati and Srisailam is practical, but the ideal order depends on where you begin.

• Starting in Tamil Nadu or southern Andhra Pradesh: Tirupati → Srisailam may be logical.
• Starting in Telangana or northern regions: Srisailam → Tirupati may make more sense.
• If you are flying, compare airport availability before fixing the sequence.

The two temples are not close enough to treat as a quick local transfer, so allocate a substantial travel window between them.

How to Reach from Vijayawada, Kurnool & Markapur

Vijayawada to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

Distance: approximately 250–272 km
Travel time: around 4–6 hours
Best option: road or bus

The Vijayawada to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga distance varies by route. The Srisaila Devasthanam gives about 272 km, while current route data shows a road journey of roughly 251 km.

Road travel is therefore the simplest choice. Current transport listings also show direct bus service on the Vijayawada–Srisailam route, but departure times should be verified before travel.

Kurnool to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

Distance: approximately 180 km
Travel time: around 4–4.5 hours
Best option: road / bus

The Kurnool to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga distance is around 180 km by road according to both the Srisaila Devasthanam and current route sources.

Kurnool is therefore a useful regional gateway, particularly for travellers arriving by train or travelling through western Andhra Pradesh.

Markapur to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

First distinguish Markapur town from Markapur Road railway station.

Markapur Road railway station → Srisailam: approximately 82–84 km by road.

The Markapur to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga distance therefore depends on whether you mean the town or the railway station. For train travellers, the relevant figure is the station-to-Srisailam road distance.

From the station, the final journey can be made by bus, taxi or private vehicle. Allow roughly two hours rather than assuming the shortest possible map time, particularly when traffic and road conditions are considered.

How to Reach from Mumbai, Pune & Delhi

For long-distance travellers, the most practical strategy is generally:

Flight/train → suitable gateway → road to Srisailam

Mumbai

Mumbai is far enough away that flying to Hyderabad and continuing by road is usually more practical than driving the entire distance. Current route data puts Mumbai–Srisailam road distance at roughly 829 km, although exact routes vary.

Train + road is another option for travellers who prefer rail travel.

Pune

Pune–Srisailam is roughly 690 km by road on a current route estimate.

Compare train + road against flying to Hyderabad + road. The best choice depends on the available connection and your travel date.

Delhi

For Delhi, flying to Hyderabad and then travelling by road is generally the most time-efficient strategy for many pilgrims. A long-distance train journey can work for travellers who prefer rail, but it requires substantially more travel time.

Do not choose an airport solely because it appears closer on a map. Compare the complete journey, including flight availability and the final road transfer.

Local Transport Once You Arrive in Srisailam

The Mallikarjuna temple is within Srisailam, so you do not need another intercity transfer after reaching the town. The temple authority describes Srisailam as the abode of Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramaramba Devi.

Local options include:

• local buses
• auto-rickshaws
• taxis
• private vehicles
• walking within the main pilgrimage area.

For many visitors staying near the temple, walking can be practical for the final local movement.

Ghat Road Driving Notes

The final approach to Srisailam passes through the Nallamala forest region. The official temple authority specifically cautions private-vehicle users on the ghat roads.

Keep these practical points in mind:

• Avoid rushing on bends or attempting risky overtaking.
• Check monsoon weather and road conditions before departure.
• Allow extra time in rain, fog or poor visibility.
• Keep adequate fuel before entering longer forest/ghat stretches.
• Drive cautiously around wildlife and forest areas.
• Check local road and forest advisories before travelling.
• Avoid planning the journey so tightly that you are forced to speed.

One especially important point is the forest-gate timing. The Srisaila Devasthanam says gates at Dornala and Sikharam for travellers from Andhra Pradesh, and Mannanur and Domalapenta for travellers from Telangana, are closed from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am for safety reasons. Pilgrims should therefore plan to pass through the relevant gates during the permitted period.

APSRTC / Bus Travel

Bus travel is a useful option because government road transport connects Srisailam with major cities and regional towns. The temple authority notes road transport facilities from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.

For current departures, availability and booking, use the official APSRTC booking/timetable system rather than relying on old blog posts or social-media schedules.

Combining Mallikarjuna with Other Jyotirlingas

Mallikarjuna can be part of a larger South Indian pilgrimage, particularly when combined with destinations such as Tirupati and Rameshwaram. However, these places are not geographically close, so allow enough days rather than trying to cover everything in a rushed itinerary.

Travellers building a wider Jyotirlinga journey may also connect the trip with Somnath in Gujarat, but this is a long-distance addition and should be planned around available travel days and flight/train connections.

For another major Jyotirlinga journey, read our detailed Somnath Jyotirlinga guide.

The key planning principle is simple: start with your origin city, identify the most convenient transport gateway, and then build the pilgrimage circuit around realistic door-to-door travel times.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the nearest railway station to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga?

Markapur Road railway station is the main railhead identified by the Srisaila Devasthanam for reaching Srisailam. It is approximately 82–91 km from Srisailam by road, depending on the exact point and route. Cumbum is another regional option at roughly 100–108 km.

2. What is the nearest airport to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga?

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is identified by the Srisaila Devasthanam as the nearest airport. The road distance is approximately 220–230 km. Kurnool Airport is geographically closer by road but has much more limited flight connectivity.

3. How do I reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga by train?

You cannot take a train directly to Srisailam. Travel by train to a nearby railhead, most notably Markapur Road, and then continue by bus, taxi or private vehicle. Cumbum can also work depending on your train route.

4. Is it safe to drive to Srisailam at night?

It is better to plan your journey so that you are not relying on night-time access through the forest/ghat sections. The Srisaila Devasthanam states that relevant forest gates are closed from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am. Weather, visibility and local road conditions can also affect the journey.

5. What happens when you visit Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga?

Devotees have darshan of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi in the same temple complex. The temple is considered highly sacred because it combines a Jyotirlinga and Shakti Peetha.

6. Which part of Sati fell in Mallikarjuna?

According to the Srisaila tradition, the throat of Goddess Sati is associated with the Bhramaramba Shakti Peetha at Srisailam.

7. What is the speciality of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga?

Mallikarjuna is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, while Srisailam is also home to the Bhramaramba Shakti Peetha. It is especially significant because Shiva and Shakti are worshipped together in the same temple complex.

Final Travel Planning Checklist

Before leaving for Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, confirm:

• Your exact starting point and route.
• Current train availability if travelling by rail.
• Current APSRTC/private bus schedules.
• Your airport-to-Srisailam road transfer.
• Forest-gate timings and local travel advisories.
• Weather and monsoon road conditions.
• Adequate fuel for the final road sections.
• Accommodation and temple arrangements in advance where necessary.

For most pilgrims, the decision is straightforward: Hyderabad is the most versatile gateway; Markapur Road is the key railway option; and road travel is the main way to complete the final journey to Srisailam. The best route from other cities depends on whether you prioritise speed, cost, convenience or rail connectivity.

Sources used for route planning

The primary transportation facts in this guide were checked against the Srisaila Devasthanam’s official connectivity information, current APSRTC booking/timetable information, Airports Authority of India information and current route-distance sources. Road distances should always be treated as approximate because the exact starting point and selected route can change the result.