My Grandmother use to narrate these things about the place called Kardalivan in Srisailam and about How Swami Samarth's avatar started. I have shared same things in form of stories from my research , I have shared each and every detail about Srisailam , kardalivan and Swami Samarth as I heared from her.

Journey From Pune (Maharashtra) to Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) in 1978 via Solapur.

In 1978 my Grandmother did roadtrip from Pune to Srisailam via Solapur with my grandfather and his friends and famliy.
That times the roads were not that connected and not well contructed still my Grandparents and one family friend and his family did the road trip to Srisailam , It took 2 days in Jeep to reach Srisailam.
They wanted to take darshan of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga on Mahashivratri.
It was very much crowded as many people cam to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.
Talking about Srisailam Grandmother was very exited that River Krishna followed from Wai Maharashtra to Srisailam.
They stayed in Srisailam for 3 days and visited many temples , eat best satvik food and enjoyed the nature and beauty of Srisailam.
She told the location of Srisailam perfectly she said that its in Andhra Pradesh in Nandyal District and its on Nallamala Hills on bank of River Krishna Mai.

Grandmother used to talk many times about main 3 Temples.

  • Sakshi Ganpati Temple
    My Grandmother told that Sakshi Ganpati temple was 1 hour walking from main temple of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga and it was on the way to Bhramarambha Devi Shakti Peeth.They started walking around 4:30 AM , it was like full forest and it was Tiger Reserve , local said that they have seen many wild animals and Tiger were like seen daily but there was positive feeling by Grandmother had deep faith so she said we were protected by shiva and took darshan safely.
    In Srisailam one local person told that first they must take Sakshi Ganpati Darshan as Ganpati is called as Sakshi (witness) Ganpati makes record of each Devotee that visit Srisailam so each one has to visit the Temple first.
  • Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
    The local people told my Grandmother to take darshan of Shikhara (Top of Temple) by taking Shikhara Darshan you achive Moksha this refernce as per holy purans.
    She used to say that is only place where Shankar and Parvati are worshipped in same area , later on I came to know that shiv shakti are worshipped in same complex.
    Grandmother told that its second number Jyotirlinga out of 12 Jyotirlinga , Bhagwan Shankar and Mata Parvati stayed with Swami Kartikeya so its also called as Kailas of South.
  • Bhramarambha Devi Shakti Peeth
    My Grandmother told us that local told that Mata Sati's neck fell her so this began the 6th Maha Shakti Peeth most Powerful some local also said that Mata Satis's Upper lip fell her.
    She told us that Bhramaramba Devi name came from Bee, Devi defeated Asur ( Demon ) Arunasura by taking form of thousand of Bees.

Journey from Srisailam to Kardalivan

Grandmother used to share her Journey done in 1978 with no proper roads , no ropewalk and Tiger Reserve it was Mysterious Adventure for her.
It was 10 hours a kind of Trek at that time and most part was done walking only mode of transport used was Boat.

The Journey started from Srisailam to Patalganga then Akkamahadevi Caves and destination Kardalivan Cave.
My Grandparent s considered this journey as Tapasya.

  • Patalganga
    My Grandmother told that they started Journey by descending 500 - 800 steps towards Patalganga by walking there was no ropeway in 1978 the ropeway started in 2000.
    The Journey started in morning and lots of birds noise and soil smell was full of energy.
    On reaching Patalganga was other mode the normal boat with 20 people at one time and with rising son eveybody took dip in holy Krishna Mai and boat started and reached second destination.
  • Patalganga to Akkamahadevi Caves
    From Patalganga there was Rowing Boat which took them to Akkamahadevi Caves in 2 hours full natural scene.
    It was not possible to enter Akkamahadevi caves for them as it was dark and narrow.
    Grandmother told that Akkamahadevi was saint she meditated in these caves and wanted to marry Mallikarjuna (Bhagwan Shiv).
  • Kardalivan Cave The Main Journey
    This was most challenging and tough journey but Grandmother had faith in Swami Samarth so said I started walking by chanting Shri Swami Samarth and this gave them energy to walk.
    The Journey was from deep dense wild and raw forest with all types of wild animals present , deer and Elephants were seen there were many snakes.
    My Grandmother use to tell that we climed 6 hills to get in 4 hours walking to reach the Kardalivan cave.

Swami Samarth Connection With Karadalivan in Srisailam

My Grandmother told me that the Journey was only to see and observe to feel energy from there Swami Samarth came into avatar after 300 years of Tapasya. The forest was called as Pragat Sthal My Grandmother explained me that Shri Narasimha Saraswati the second avatar ( incarnation ) of Lord Dattatreya took The Samadhi (Nijanandagamana) in karadalivan.
My Grandmother told me meaning of Nijanandagamana Samadhi that Nija means "Own" or "Truth" , Ananda means "Joy" and Gamana means "Departure".

How Swami Samarth Became Pragat In Karadalivan

After completing the purpose of Avatar Shri Narsimha Saraswati went into Nijanandagamana Samadhi with silence , after 300 years there was Varul ( Anthill ) formed and one day a woodcutter while collectiong wood he hit his axe on the formed Anthill and red color started coming Wood cutter was in shock when he came to know that its blood so he cleared it and saw the Axe hitted thigh of yogi and thigh was bleeding in this way Swami Samarth came out of Samadhi after 300 years. My Grandmother heared this in her childhood and she use to tell us that Shri Narsimha Saraswati went into deep samadhi and formed a Seed after that from wild animals and insects , Rain , storm and heat is was protected in Varul (Anthill) as Cacoon which after 300 years was cracked by woodcutter and Swami Samarth came out of it as Flower.