Srisailam is 98 kilometres from Markapur railway station (via Dornala), 161 kilometres from Nandyal railway station (via Atmakur and Dornala and 180 kilometres from Kurnool railway station (via Atmaku and Dornala). Buses ply from Ongole, Guntur, Markapur, Kurnool, Guntakal and Mahanandi to Srisailam on the ghat road which was laid in 1957. It is located at an altitude of over 1,500' above the sea level in the most picturesque natural environment in the northern-most plateau of the Nallamal hill range. The temple at Srisailam is one of the most ancient and sacred places of South India and stands overlooking a deep gorge through which the river Krishna flows. The river flows round this plateau except on the south where Bhimunikolanu, a hill stream, joins it.

Srisailam is referred to as Sri Giri, Sriparvata, Rudra Parvata and Seshachalam in several texts and Puranas. Srisailam is rich in legend and religious tradition. It is associated historically with such great rulers as the Chalukyan kings, Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar and Chatrapati Sivaji. Adi Sankara is also said to have worshipped the deity at the temple. The presiding deity at the place is Sri Mallikarjunaswamy in the form of a 'lingam' which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams existing in this country. Another important temple at the place is that of Bhramaramba, the cansort of Lord Mallikarjunaswamy. The temple abound in sculptural beauty and there are about 116 inscriptions in and around it. Mahasivaratri festival, celebrated at the place, is of all-India importance when more than 50,000 Hindu pilgrims throng to worship the deity and have holy dip in the river Krishna known as the Pathala Ganga. Apart from its religious importance, Srisailam is also a place of scenic beauty and one of the most important tourist spots in the country.