Arunasura was a rakshas who wanted to achieve immortality. Gayatri Devi turned him away, saying she did not possess the power to grant him his wish for immortality. He then did Tapasya to please Lord Brahma. When his prayers started to cause trouble, the other Gods asked Lord Brahma to find a solution. Lord Brahma also rejected his wish and asked him to wish for something else. The rakshas asked him if he wished no 2-legged or 4-legged creature had caused his death. His wish was granted.

When Arunasura achieves his wish, he starts destroying everything and even causes problems to the Gods. The Gods ask Lord Shiva and Parvati Devi’s help in the matter. Goddess Parvati becomes Bhramara, which is a form of a thousand bees and slays Arunasura to put an end to his evil ways. The Gods become elated to find out that she put an end to him. They ask her to take abode in a place of her choice so they can pray to her for eternal time. They also required her to turn to Bhramaramba.

Unable to decide on a place of residence, goddess Parvati asks Lord Shiva which place is the most beautiful after the Kailasa he created. He replies that Srisailam is the next best place in the universe after Kailasa. This is when the two decide to stay in Srisailam as Mallikarjuna Bhramaramba so they can bless their devout devotees for eternity. This is what became the Mallikarjuna Temple.