Komaravelli (also spelled Komuravelli) Mallanna temple, in Siddipet district, Telangana, is one of the state’s busiest folk-Shaiva pilgrimage sites. The hilltop shrine honours Mallanna, also called Mallikarjuna Swamy, a form of Shiva worshipped mainly by herding and farming communities. This guide covers how to reach Komaravelli, when to go, the Mallanna jatara, the Patnam and Bonalu offerings, and the practical details you need before you travel.
Komaravelli Mallanna temple is a hilltop shrine to Mallikarjuna Swamy (Mallanna), a folk form of Shiva, in Komuravelli village, Siddipet district, Telangana, about 85 km from Hyderabad. It draws large crowds during the Sankranti-to-Ugadi jatara, known for Oggu Katha, Patnam rangoli and Bonalu offerings.
Key takeaways
- Komaravelli Mallanna temple sits on a hill in Komuravelli village, Siddipet district, Telangana, roughly 85 km from Hyderabad along State Highway 1 (Rajiv Rahadari).
- The main deity is Mallanna (Mallikarjuna Swamy), a folk form of Shiva; this is a living folk-Shaiva shrine, not the Srisailam Mallikarjuna jyotirlinga.
- The annual Mallanna jatara runs from around Sankranti (mid-January) to Ugadi, and in 2026 the Brahmotsavams lasted 58 days with every Sunday treated as a special darshan day, per Telangana Today.
- Rail access improved in 2026: a Komuravelli halt station on the Manoharabad–Kothapalli line was inaugurated on 26 July 2026 and DEMU trains between Secunderabad and Siddipet now stop there, per All India Radio.
- Signature traditions include the Patnam rangoli drawn by Oggu Pujaris, Oggu Katha ballads, the Agni Gundam fire ritual, and Bonalu and coconut vow offerings.
- Darshan hours and seva fees vary and extend during the jatara; reconfirm with the temple’s Endowments administration before you travel.
Komaravelli Mallanna temple at a glance
Komaravelli Mallanna temple is a hilltop Hindu shrine in Komuravelli village, Siddipet district, Telangana, dedicated to Mallanna (Mallikarjuna Swamy). According to Telangana Tourism, it is one of the district’s main divine destinations, and the Mallanna story here is carried down through the Oggu Katha folk tradition.
The temple lies near Cheriyal, along State Highway 1, the Hyderabad–Karimnagar road also called Rajiv Rahadari. The state Endowments Department administers the shrine, which is a focus of a temple-tourism circuit the Telangana government is promoting alongside Yadagirigutta and the Bhadrakali temple in Warangal.
| Full name | Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy (Komuravelli Mallanna) temple |
|---|---|
| Location | Komuravelli village, Siddipet district, Telangana |
| Deity | Mallanna / Mallikarjuna Swamy, a folk form of Shiva, with consorts Golla Kethamma and Medalamma |
| Managed by | Telangana Endowments Department |
| From Hyderabad | About 85 km by road via SH-1 (Rajiv Rahadari) |
| Peak season | Sankranti to Ugadi (roughly mid-January to late March/April) |
The deity, the legend and disambiguation
The presiding deity is Mallanna, worshipped as Mallikarjuna Swamy, a form of Shiva. Telangana Today reports that here Shiva is revered as an idol (vigraha) rather than the more usual linga, alongside his consorts Golla Kethamma and Medalamma, the latter identified in temple accounts with Bramarambika (Parvati).
Mallanna belongs to a wider folk-Shaiva tradition. According to Wikipedia’s summary of the shrine, Maharashtrian devotees know the same deity as Khandoba. The Komaravelli story has no written scripture; according to local belief it survives through Oggu Katha, in which Mallanna marries Medalamma after meeting conditions set by her family. Treat this as living oral tradition rather than documented history.
Disambiguation: do not confuse this shrine with the Mallikarjuna jyotirlinga at Srisailam (Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh), a separate and much older linga temple. It is also distinct from the Khandoba temple at Jejuri in Maharashtra and from other Mallanna shrines in Telangana such as Odela. When people in Siddipet say “Mallanna,” they usually mean this Komuravelli hilltop temple.
Best time to visit Komaravelli
The best time to visit Komaravelli is the cooler Sankranti-to-Ugadi window, mid-January to around late March, when the Mallanna jatara is on and the weather is mild. That is also when crowds peak, especially on Sundays, so pick a weekday for a calmer darshan.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Jatara / winter | Mid-Dec to late Mar | Peak pilgrim season; Kalyanam and Brahmotsavams; pleasant days, heavy Sunday crowds |
| Summer | Apr to Jun | Hot and dry; quietest for darshan; carry water and sun cover |
| Monsoon | Jul to Sep | Rain spells, green surroundings, lighter crowds; roads usable but can be wet |
| Post-monsoon | Oct to Nov | Mild and comfortable; a good low-crowd window before the jatara |
If the folk rituals are your main draw, aim for a jatara Sunday or the Maha Shivaratri period. If you want quiet and a close darshan, come outside the festival months. Our wider Telangana travel guide can help you slot this into a longer trip.
How to reach Komaravelli
You reach Komaravelli most easily by road from Hyderabad, about 85 km north along SH-1, or by rail to the new Komuravelli halt. Direct buses, the DEMU train and taxis all serve the area; the final approach is a short climb to the hilltop shrine.
| Mode | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, is the nearest major airport | Roughly 110–130 km by road (planning estimate — reconfirm); hire a cab or train onward via Hyderabad/Secunderabad |
| Rail | Komuravelli station on the Manoharabad–Kothapalli line; Siddipet is the other nearby station | DEMU trains between Secunderabad and Siddipet halt at Komuravelli; station inaugurated 26 July 2026, per All India Radio |
| Road | About 85 km from Hyderabad via SH-1 (Rajiv Rahadari); about 22–24 km from Siddipet town; about 110 km from Warangal | TSRTC/Telangana RTC buses run from Siddipet (JBS), Warangal and Jangaon; taxis and shared autos complete the trip |
The Manoharabad–Siddipet section of the line opened on 3 October 2023, and the Komuravelli halt was added in 2026 specifically to ease pilgrim traffic, according to All India Radio and Telangana Today. On the inaugural day the DEMU service began stopping at the station; schedules are limited, so check current timings before relying on the train.
Things to see and do
The main thing to do at Komaravelli is darshan of Mallanna in the hilltop sanctum, followed by the folk rituals that make this shrine distinctive. Most visits are half-day; add the nearby Konda Pochamma temple for a fuller trip.
| Spot / experience | What it is | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Main sanctum | Darshan of Mallanna (Mallikarjuna Swamy) as a vigraha with his consorts | 20–60 min; much longer on jatara Sundays |
| Patnam ritual | Rangoli called Patnam drawn by an Oggu Pujari as part of worship | 15–30 min |
| Oggu Katha | Folk ballad narrating Mallanna’s story, performed during the jatara | Varies; festival days |
| Agni Gundam | Fire ritual held on the Sunday before Ugadi | Festival event |
| Vow offerings | Tying coconuts at sacred trees and structures to fulfil vows | 10–20 min |
Photography norms vary and are often restricted inside the sanctum; watch for signs and follow the priests’ guidance, especially during rituals.
The Mallanna jatara: Patnam, Bonalu and Oggu Katha
The Mallanna jatara is the year’s main event, running from around Sankranti to Ugadi. In the 2025–26 season, Telangana Today reported the Brahmotsavams opened with the Patnamvaram ritual on the Sunday after Sankranti and ran 58 days, ending on the Sunday before Ugadi, with every Sunday observed as a special day.
The Deccan Chronicle reported that, for that season, the Kalyanam (celestial marriage of Mallikarjuna Swamy) was held on 29 December and the fair opened on 19 January, running about ten weeks toward Shivaratri. Exact dates shift each year with the lunar and Sankranti calendar, so confirm the current schedule before planning around a specific ritual.
Patnam: Oggu Pujaris guide worshippers and draw a rangoli called Patnam in front of the deity; the Maha Shivaratri version is the grand Pedda Patnam. Oggu Katha: folk singers narrate Mallanna’s story, blending Shaivite and community traditions. Agni Gundam (Agni Gundaalu): a fire ritual observed on the Sunday before Ugadi.
According to the Deccan Chronicle, devotees also offer Bonalu (cooked rice and offerings carried to the deity in a decorated pot), present bidis, and tie coconuts at the temple’s sacred trees to fulfil vows. Temple authorities told the paper that peak weekends can draw a lakh or more devotees; treat crowd figures as approximate and plan for queues and heat during big days.
A suggested itinerary
For most travellers a day trip from Hyderabad is enough. Those who want a relaxed darshan or the full jatara atmosphere can stay a night in Siddipet or near the temple.
- Day trip from Hyderabad: Leave early by road or the DEMU train; reach Komaravelli mid-morning; darshan, watch a Patnam ritual, make any offerings; simple lunch near the temple; visit Konda Pochamma temple; return to Hyderabad by evening.
- Overnight (festival or quiet darshan): Day 1 — travel, afternoon darshan, evening at the temple; stay in Siddipet or a temple-area lodge. Day 2 — early-morning darshan before the crowds, Oggu Katha if it is a jatara day, then onward to Yadagirigutta or back to Hyderabad.
Where to stay
Lodging near Komaravelli is basic; for more choice, stay in Siddipet town (about 22–24 km away) or in Hyderabad. The Devasthanam reportedly runs pilgrim rooms near the temple, and small private lodges operate in the village, but standards are simple and rooms fill fast during the jatara.
- Budget (around ₹500–₹1,200 per night, indicative — reconfirm): Devasthanam pilgrim rooms and village lodges near the temple; book ahead on festival weekends.
- Mid-range (around ₹1,500–₹3,500 per night, indicative — reconfirm): Hotels in Siddipet town, the nearest place with a reasonable spread of options.
- Higher-end: For business-grade or branded hotels, base yourself in Hyderabad and day-trip, as higher-category stays are limited near the shrine.
Room rates are planning estimates, not quotes; confirm directly, and ask the Endowments administration about pilgrim accommodation during the jatara.
Food to try
Food around Komaravelli is simple Telangana vegetarian fare, plus temple prasadam (blessed food offering). Eateries near the shrine are basic; Siddipet has more choice.
- Prasadam: the temple’s offering, distributed to devotees; counters are usually available near the shrine.
- Telangana thali: rice with pappu (lentil dal), vegetable curries, pachadi (chutney) and sometimes a sweet.
- Pulihora: tamarind rice, a common temple-town and festival dish.
- Local snacks and tiffin: idli, dosa, vada and tea/coffee at roadside stalls and small hotels.
Carry drinking water, and on busy festival days expect long waits at food stalls.
Budget breakdown
A day trip from Hyderabad is inexpensive; most of your spend is transport and any sevas or offerings you choose. The table below is a per-person planning estimate, not a fixed tariff.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Transport (round trip) | ₹200–₹700 | RTC bus or shared cab/train from Hyderabad; private taxi costs more |
| Food and water | ₹150–₹400 | Simple meals and snacks for the day |
| Offerings / sevas | ₹100–₹1,000+ | Varies widely by the puja or seva you choose; reconfirm fees at the counter |
| Local transport | ₹50–₹300 | Autos/shared autos for the final stretch and Konda Pochamma |
| Day-trip total | ₹500–₹2,000 | One person; add ₹500–₹3,500 per night if you stay over |
Permits, darshan rules and timings
No special permit is required to visit Komaravelli; it is an open public temple with no Inner Line Permit or protected-area rules, since it is not in a restricted or forest zone. Standard temple etiquette applies: dress modestly, remove footwear before the sanctum, and follow queue and photography instructions from the staff.
Darshan timings vary by source and are not confirmed on an official page; reported hours cluster around early morning to evening with a midday break, and they extend during the jatara and Maha Shivaratri. Because published hours conflict, treat any specific timing as unverified and reconfirm with the temple’s Endowments administration before you travel. Seva and Kalyanam bookings, where offered, are also best confirmed at the temple.
Practical tips
- Crowds and heat: On jatara Sundays and Maha Shivaratri, arrive early, expect long queues and barricaded lines, and carry water and sun cover.
- Cash and UPI: Carry some cash for offerings, autos and small stalls; UPI works in many places but can be patchy on peak days, and ATMs are limited near the shrine.
- Connectivity: Mobile coverage is generally available but can be congested during big festivals.
- Medical and safety: For anything beyond first aid, Siddipet town has the nearest larger hospitals; keep basic medicines with you.
- Solo and women travellers: The temple is a busy, family-oriented pilgrimage site; usual precautions in crowds apply, and daytime travel by bus or train is straightforward.
- Packing: Light cottons and a hat in summer; a light layer for winter mornings; comfortable footwear you can slip off, and a small bag for footwear at the sanctum.
Nearby places
Komaravelli pairs naturally with the nearby Konda Pochamma temple, and sits on the temple-tourism circuit with Yadagirigutta and Bhadrakali in Warangal.
| Place | Approx distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Konda Pochamma temple | In the same area | Popular shrine many Mallanna pilgrims also visit; in folklore considered Mallanna’s sister |
| Siddipet town | About 22–24 km | District headquarters; hotels, hospitals and the main transport hub |
| Yadagirigutta (Yadadri) | On the state temple circuit (distance varies — reconfirm) | Major hilltop Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple |
| Bhadrakali temple, Warangal | About 110 km (Warangal) | Well-known Shakti temple; part of the same promoted circuit |
For more ideas across the state, see our Telangana travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Komaravelli Mallanna temple located?
Komaravelli Mallanna temple is on a hill in Komuravelli village, Siddipet district, Telangana, near Cheriyal along State Highway 1 (Rajiv Rahadari). It is about 85 km from Hyderabad and roughly 22–24 km from Siddipet town, so most visitors come as a day trip from Hyderabad.
Is the Komaravelli deity the same as Srisailam Mallikarjuna?
No. The Komaravelli deity is Mallanna, a folk form of Shiva worshipped as an idol and known to Maharashtrians as Khandoba. It is a separate shrine from the Mallikarjuna jyotirlinga at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh and from the Khandoba temple at Jejuri in Maharashtra, despite the shared name.
When is the Komaravelli Mallanna jatara held?
The Mallanna jatara runs from around Sankranti to Ugadi, roughly mid-January to late March. In 2026 the Brahmotsavams lasted 58 days, from the Sunday after Sankranti to the Sunday before Ugadi, per Telangana Today, with every Sunday a special day. Exact dates shift yearly with the calendar, so reconfirm.
How do I reach Komaravelli from Hyderabad?
Drive or take a bus about 85 km north along SH-1 (Rajiv Rahadari), roughly two hours depending on traffic. You can also take a DEMU train from Secunderabad toward Siddipet, which now halts at the Komuravelli station opened in July 2026. Taxis and RTC buses from Siddipet complete the trip.
What are the darshan timings at Komaravelli?
Darshan generally runs from early morning to evening, often with a midday break, and hours extend during the jatara and Maha Shivaratri. Published timings differ between sources and are not confirmed on an official page, so treat any specific hours as unverified and reconfirm with the temple’s Endowments administration before you go.
What offerings and rituals are special at Komaravelli?
The signature rituals are the Patnam rangoli drawn by Oggu Pujaris, Oggu Katha folk ballads about Mallanna, and the Agni Gundam fire ritual on the Sunday before Ugadi. According to the Deccan Chronicle, devotees also offer Bonalu, present bidis and tie coconuts at sacred trees to fulfil vows.
Last updated and sources
Komaravelli suits pilgrims and travellers interested in Telangana’s folk-Shaiva traditions; come on a jatara Sunday for the full atmosphere, or on a quiet weekday for a close, unhurried darshan.
Last updated: 31 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Telangana Tourism, Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Siddipet (telanganatourism.gov.in); All India Radio / NewsOnAir, Komuravelli railway station report (newsonair.gov.in); Deccan Chronicle, Telangana govt eyes Komuravelli Mallanna temple to boost temple tourism (deccanchronicle.com); Telangana Today, Brahmotsavams begin at Komuravelly with Patnamvaram (telanganatoday.com) and Mallikarjuna Swamy temple, Komuravelli (telanganatoday.com); Wikipedia summary used to locate primary sources (en.wikipedia.org). Accessed September 2026.
