If you are coming from Delhi, take an evening flight to Hyderabad and stay the previous night — attempting Delhi → Hyderabad → Srisailam → return Hyderabad the same calendar day (starting from Delhi in the morning) is not feasible. Arriving the night before gives you time to rest and start the drive early.
Start very early to beat traffic and reach Srisailam before the main morning darshan crowd; the road (NH765) is ~210–230 km and usually takes about 4–5 hours depending on stops and traffic.
Have a light packed breakfast (idli/dosa/fruit) from Hyderabad or stop at a local dhaba in Srisailam; many roadside places open around 5:30–6:00 AM and will get you ready for darshan.
Mallikarjuna is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and a major Shakti Peeth — the spiritual highlight. Temple morning darshan typically begins around 5:00–6:00 AM; expect 1–3 hours depending on queues; consider paid/priority entry if short on time.
Sacred boat ride or visit to Pathala Ganga for puja and views of the Krishna river — boats generally run from early morning to late afternoon (often ~6:00 AM–5:00 PM), but schedules can change, so check locally.
Short visit to the Srisailam dam viewpoint and nearby scenic overlooks for photography and a quick stretch; good for views of the valley and reservoir.
Explore nearby shrines (e.g., Bhairava shrines), a small local temple museum, or buy prasadam/puja items; keeps you flexible if darshan was faster than expected.
Enjoy a hearty Andhra thali or local vegetarian meal at a reputable hotel/restaurant in Srisailam; many places serve lunch from around 11:00 AM–3:00 PM.
On arrival, treat yourself to Hyderabadi biryani at an established outlet (e.g., Paradise or Shah Ghouse/Shadab) or have a lighter snack if you're flying later. Both types of places are open through the afternoon and evening.
If you remain in Hyderabad for the night, try vegetarian thali at local restaurants or a more relaxed dinner at a hotel — most restaurants are open 7:00 PM onward.