The Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It is located deep in the Nallamala Hills forest and right on the banks of Krishna River. If you are heading to the temple from Hyderabad then the drive is also kind of part of the pilgrimage. While the drive you will get forest stretches, curvy ghat roads, and then the dam just before the temple town (Srisailam).
Distance from Hyderabad to Srisailam
The distance from Hyderabad to Srisailam while travelling by road is approximately 210 to 215 km. This depends majorly on where exactly you start in the city and which way you choose to go with. If you're starting from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport it will be an extra 20 to 25 km because the airport is out from the main highway and you will have to cover longer distance.
Travel Time
On this route driving will take 4.5 to 6 hours easily. In this router it is not like a straight highway the whole way. Especially last 50 km wind up through the Nallamala forest is very tricky on ghat road with sharp turns. You have to drive slower than usual and maintain stable driving while crossing such roads. So take more time instead of just trying to rush that last part with carelessness. The buses generally take longer time like 6.5 to 7 hours or even more during monsoon or festival time because they take a few more stops in the journey.
Best Route to Take
Almost all cars, taxis, and cabs go via NH 765 through Kalwakurthy and Dornala. It is the quickest and the best-kept road to reach the temple safely. The other way some people might take (less frequently) is Nagarjuna Sagar route. It is longer, but tourists enjoy nicer views of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Ethipothala Falls. It you're not in a hurry and have ample time to spare you can take this route and stop twice to enjoy the views.
Forest Check-Post Timings
A large area of this route goes through the Nallamala Tiger Reserve. There are forest check-posts at Munnanur and Domalapenta that operate strictly between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM. After the time the vehicles are not allowed to cross the checkpost, so plan your departure from Hyderabad early enough to clear the gates. This is very important to keep in mind if you're driving back the same day.
Taxi Booking and Cab Booking Options
Booking a taxi from Hyderabad to Srisailam is very easy. The one-way trips are around Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 5,500, depending on the car type like sedan, SUV, or 7-seater. Even if you plan to come back the same day, the round-trip bookings with some waiting time will be cheaper for you. And for larger groups, a private tempo traveler is much better option and more comfortable than a bus. You can stop whenever you need to like: for darshan, a meal, or just to take pictures by the Krishna river or at Dam.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to go is October to February. It's nice and clear that time of the year, so driving and seeing temples is not a problem at all. Summer time from March to June is pretty hot on the plains before you reach the forest area. But, if you go during the monsoon like from July to September, the Nallamala hills are really green and beautiful. But you need to be very careful in the ghat roads as they can get slippery and very dangerous. Be very careful in Ghat Roads!
After planning your Hyderabad to Mallikarjuna road trip, continue with our Complete Srisailam Guide: Routes, History, and Attractions for local sightseeing, temple history, and practical travel tips.
