The word Telugu is believed to be derived from Trilinga, as in Trilinga Desa, “the land of the three Lingas”. According to a Hindu chronicle, Lord Shiva descended in linga form on three mountains which marked the boundaries of the Telugu country, namely Kaleswaram in Telangana, Srisailam in Rayalaseema and Bhimeswaram, also known as Draksharamam, on the coast of Andhra. It was also believed that the word Telangana came from Telingana, Telinga, Trilinga.
In Andhra Kaumudi, a Telugu grammar book, it was mentioned that Andhra Vishnu, having built a huge wall connecting the three mountains with the Mahendra hills, formed there three gates, in which the three-eyed Ishwara, with the trident in hand and assisted by a multitude of deities, he resided in the form of three lingams. Andhra Visnu, assisted by divine angels, having fought with the great giant Nishambhu for thirteen yugas, killed him in battle and settled with the sages on the banks of the Godavari river, from the time of which the Telugu country is called Trilingam.
Trilinga Kshetras Place:
| Kshetram | Presiding Deity | District | Region | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaleswaram | Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy | Jayashankar Bhupalpally | Telangana | Telangana |
| Bhimeswaram (Draksharamam) | Bhimeswara Swamy | East Godavari | Coastal Andhra | Andhra Pradesh |
| Srisailam | Mallikarjuna Swamy | Kurnool | Rayalaseema | Andhra Pradesh |