The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

Situated in a place called Sri- Sailam in Andhra Pradesh, the Mallikarjun Jyotirling is one of the 12 main Jyotirlings.

The story behind the establishment of the Mallikarjun Jyotirling is something like this- (taken from shaivam.org)

When Kumar Kartikeya returned to Kailash after completing his trip around the earth, he heard about Ganesha's marriage from Narada. This angered him. In spite of being restrained by his parents, he touched their feet in obeisance and left for Krounch Mountain. Parvati was very distraught at having to be away from her son, implored Lord Shiva to look for their son. Together, they went to Kumara. But, Kumara went away a further three Yojanas, after learning about his parents coming after him to Krouncha Mountain. Before embarking on a further search for their son on each mountain, they decided to leave a light on every mountain they visited. From that day, that place came to be known as JyotirLinga Mallikarjuna. It is believed that Shiva and Parvati visit this palce on Amavasya (No moon day) and (full Moon day) Pournami, respectively.

Another Version

According to other versions, Lord Shiva had sent KArtikeya to the South to spread theShiva Gyana and Shiva bhakti amongst the people in South especially the tribals.

According to still other versions, Kartikeya chose this place to install a shiva linga and worship pray to his father to relieve him of the sin of killing Tarakasur.

What ever be the version, the fact remains that Kartikeya established a Shiva linga here, to which he offered worship and prayers while, bringing the tribal community into the path of Shiva bhakti.

The tribals too revered their Lord Murugan and whatever he said was mandate to them.They would eagerly wait for his darshan.

But Murugan, was waiting for someone else's darshan- that of his parents

Once a hunter couple - the wife was named Mallika and the hunter was named Arjun- arrived at the tribal community. They were - felt the tribal chief- very hopeless. They spoke to each other in crude language, they were constantly drinking wine and they seemed to be a total good-for- nothing couple.

The tribal chief felt that a darshan of their Lord Murugan would knock some sense into this couple and asked them to attend their religious ceremony where Murugan would give them darshan. At first the Mallika and Arjun feigned reluctance but then agreed.

The tribal community , taking Mallika and Arjun with them, began marching towards the Sri Sailam mountains where they knew Murugan was residing. But halfway through, the tribals were surprised to see a young man sprinting down from the mountains, running at top speed and coming and falling at the feet of the good-for-nothing couple.

The young man was none other than Murugan himself and Mallika and Arjun were none other than Parvati and Shiva. Murugan requested his father the he bless the Linga he (Murugan) had been worshiping.

This Lingam came to be known as Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga.