Lord Shiva in the form of Linga is the presiding deity of Lord Malleshwara Temple - Vijayawada. Devotees here at the temple call the linga by various names like Jayasena, Mallikarjuna and Malleshwara. The sculptures engraved on the walls of the temple portray various incidents of the famous Indian Mythology, Mahabharata and the legend of Lord Shiva conferring Arjuna with the Paasupata Astra. The Vijayesvara temple and Malleshvaraswamy temple established by Arjuna and Yudhishtira respectively are located near to this temple. There are many sculptures depicting events of Mahabharata and the legend of Lord Shiva bestowing the Paasupata Astra on Arjuna. There is another interesting event about Lord Shivas Leela or miracle. A king by name Madhava Varma ruled this place at the beginning of Kali Yuga (Saka year 117). His son unknowingly killed a poor womans child. The mother came for justice. The king ordered his son to be hanged. Lord Shiva, pleased with the kings justice, showered gold on the ruler and gave back life to both the prince and the boy.
