Srikalahasti Temple Andhra Pradesh

Srikalahasti Temple in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh is one of the important ancient Shiva Temples of South India. Srikalahasti Temple occupies the area between the river bank and the foot of the hills and is popularly known as Dakshina Kailasam. This temple was built during the period of King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar.

Location of Srikalahasti Temple

Srikalahasti is a holy town and a municipality near Tirupati in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. This temple was constructed in the 12th century by the Chola king, Raja Rajendra. This is an important temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple`s main idol is the vayu (air) linga. Kalahasti is surrounded by two hills. The Durgamba temple is on the north hill and the shrine of Kannabeswara on the south hill is in memory of the Sage Kannappa, who offered an eye to the Lord. A river flowing in the north washes the foot of the temple

Legend of Srikalahasti Temple

As per the legend, the town got its name because of the temple named after Sri (spider) Kala (serpent) hasti (elephant) after the three ardent devotees of Lord Shiva. These three animals attained divinity by worshipping Lord Shiva. The spider was Lord Vishwakarma`s (architect of the deva ganas) son Oornanabha. He was trying to replicate Lord Brahma`s creation and thus annoyed Brahma who cursed him to become a spider. Shiva himself cursed the snake. The elephant was god Pramadha cursed by Shiva`s wife, Parvati, when he intruded on their privacy. The Shiva linga here is an amalgamation of the three animals.

Sanctum Sanctorum of Srikalahasti Temple

The main temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer among the Trimurties. The linga here is one of the Panchabhuta lingas (made up of the five elements) - wind, water, fire, earth and ether. The linga at Srikalahasti is Vayu linga or one made of wind. Jala linga is made of water, at Jambukeswara; Jyothir linga is made of fire, at Arunachalam; Aksha linga is made up of ether, at Chidambaram; and Prithvi linga, is made of earth, at Sivakanchi - the four elements of the universe. The main linga remains untouched by human hands; even the priests do not touch it. Abhishek (bathing) is done by pouring a mixture of water, milk, camphor and panchamrita. Sandal paste, flowers and the sacred thread are offered to the utsava-murti, and not the main linga.

Architecture of Srikalahasti Temple

The hill adjacent to temple has still carvings in Pallava style. The Cholas renovated the old Pallava temple in 11th century. Kulottunga Chola I constructed the Galigopuram, the main entrance facing south and Kulottunga III constructed few other temples. In 12th Century A.D., King Veeranarasimha Yadavaraya built the present Prakaras, and the four Gopurams connecting the four entrances. According an inscription of Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara Empire this temple was constructed in 1516 A.D. In 1529 A.D., King Achutaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire got his coronation performed here, before he celebrated in his capital City.

The marvellous temple architecture represents Chola, Pallava, Pandya and Krishnadevaraya style of architecture. According to the scriptures, the Kshetra is praised as Dakshina Kailasam, Dakshina Kashi, Satya Vrata Maha Bhaskara Kshethram, Sadyomukthi kshetram and also Rahu-Ketu Parihara Kshethram. It has an enormous, ancient gopuram over the main gate, which is 36.5 metres (120 feet) high and the entire temple is carved out from the side of the hill. The temple is very ornate with elaborately designed pillars, altars, etc.

The three gopurams are remarkable in their architecture. A hundred-pillared mandapam is another important feature of this shrine. The tower was established nearly a thousand years ago. The various stupas and temple testify to the antiquity of the place.

The `Rajagopuram` or main gate of the 500-year-old Srikalahasti Temple in Andhra Pradesh`s Chittoor District collapsed on 26th May, 2010. The Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana and Linga Purana have a mention about Srikalahasti. The Skanda Purana says that Arjuna visited this place, worshipped Kalahastiswara and met the sage Bharadwaja on the top of the hill. It is believed that Kannappa (also known as Bhakta Kannappa), a tribal devotee has worshipped Shiva at Srikalahasti. Tamil saints Nayanars like Appar, Sundarar and Sambanthar praised the deity in their hymns tevaram.

Remedial Temple for the Nodes( Rahu and Ketu) and related Evils – This temple is renowned for remedies of Rahu and ketu main periods and sub periods besides ending of these main periods and malefic combinations by the nodes l. Delay and disturnbances in marital life, Issue related problems in the horoscope, are all pacified at this great temple. Specific Rahu kala Pooja is performed on all days and they are considered as highly effective.
One is advised to visit this temple during the operation of the main or sub periods of Rahu and ketu besides people having malefic influence of these planets on houses of marriage. Issues, education, longevity and health.
Sarpa dosha Nivarana pooja.
Sarpa dosha refers to doshas created by Serpents. Rahu is the planet with human head and serpent body and Ketu is just opposite to Rahu with serpent head and body of human. They are either serpents or similar to other planet gods. These are the only planets that have varying degrees of unpleasant effects on all people. However, they also provide few benefits.
sarpa nivarana pooja is provided in three variations with three different varying degrees of treatment to devotees on the basis of cost of pooja. Rs.250/-, Rs.600/- and Rs.1000/- are the rates charged. No advance booking for pooja is encouraged and the devotees are allowed to book for the pooja by making their physical presence in the temple.

How to reach

Nearest airport Tirupati located at a distance of 30kms from Kalahasti. It is the most convenient place to visit and worship the temple. Kalahasti is also well connected by roadways and railways with Tirupati. Chennai is the closer place from where you can reach the temple in about four hours of drive.