Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born in the hill-fort of Shivneri near Junnar in Pune. His mother, Mata Jijabai, prayed to Mata Shivai for a son who could end the tyranny of the then-Muslim invaders. Her prayers were answered, and the greatest Indian emperor was born. I guess you know about the fights & battles of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. However, do you know that Shivaji Maharaj left his influence in Srisailam, a town in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh? Let’s explore.
In 1677, Abul Hasan Qutb Shah was the last ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. He was the head of the Kingdom of Golconda in South India. During his rule, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj visited Srisailam. The temple in Srisailam transformed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, where he meditated to seek answers. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj wanted to know what next steps he should take on the battlefield. Perhaps for the first time in his life, there was uncertainty and confusion.
At Mallikarjuna Temple, he was praying to Bhagwan Shiva when suddenly Bhramaramba Devi appeared. Bhramaramba Devi, an incarnation of Mata Parvathi, offered a sword to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and ordered him to restore Bharat. This moved him. His confusions were gone for a toss; he was back fighting the war, pushing away the invaders & reclaiming our land. After defeating the local Islamic invaders in the region, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built numerous bathing ghats for the temple devotees on the Krishna River and left an army of Maratha warriors at Srisailam to defend the temple.
This is why a bronze statue of Sree Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is installed in the hall on a four ft. pedestal in Srisailam.
Jai Bhawani and Har Har Mahadeva returned to the region, and the temple survived!
