History, Significance, Architecture, Timings, Puja and Travel Guide of Srikalahasti
Srikalahasti Temple or Sri Kalahastheeswara Swami Vari temple is one of the famous Lord Shiva temple in South India located in ancient sacred town Srikalahasti in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The name Srikalahasti was derived from a myth that a spider (Sri), Snake (Kala) and elephant (Hasti) were worshipped Lord Shiva in the town to attain Moksha. Srikalahasti Temple is one of the Pancha bhoota Sthalam – five element consider as Vayu Lingam and other are Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram as Prithvi Lingam (Earth), Jambukeshwarar Temple in Thiruvanaikaval as Jambu Lingam (Water), Arunachaleswara Temple in Thiruvannamalai as Agni Lingam, Thillai Natarajar Temple in Chidambaram as Akasha Lingam. This mythology was very strongly believed during those time so in the 5th Century Srikalahasti temple was built by the Pallavas and further expansion of the temple premise, renovations and modern structures were built during the rule of the Chola Kingdom during the 11th Century and Vijayanagara dynasty during the 16th Century. Srikalahasti temple is also famous as Rahu-Ketu kshetra and Dakshina Kailasam.
Lots of historical tales are associated with Srikalahasti temple, few key legends are mentioned over here. It is said that here Kannappa great devotee of Lord Shiva was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Shiva Lingam before the Shiva stopped him and granted him moksha.
It is also said that during the early creation, Vayu performed penance for thousands of years to Karpoora Lingam. Lord Shiva was pleaded with this and said that he will grant his three boons. Vayu wanted to be all around the world and no one could live without him and he wanted that people should worship this lingam. Shiva qualifies all his boon and disappeared after granting his boon. Thereafter the Karpoora Lingam is worshipped by the world.
Another legend is related to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Once Goddess Parvati was cursed by Lord Shiva and lost her divine incarnation and had to take the form as human. Goddess Parvati performed penance for several years at Srikalahasti to liberate herself from the curse. Lord Shiva was pleased and recreated Parvati in a heavenly avatar which is known as Gnana Prasunambika Devi thus Goddess Parvati is worshipped here as Gnana Prasunambika Devi.
The structure of the temple is breath taking in beautiful Dravidian style of architecture. It has the one of the best view from the entrance. It has the carvings of the famous mythological artists and mandap has 100 intricately carved pillars. The Shiva Lingam inside the shrine is made up of white stone in the shape of an elephant’s trunk. The main gopuram of the temple is around one hundred and twenty feet high. Along with the main deity, nine feet tall rock-cut shrine of Lord Ganesha, shrines for Jnana Prasanna Mmba, Kasi Viswanatha, Suryanarayan, Subramanya, Annapurna, and Sad Ganapathi etc. are placed in temple complex. Pathala Ganapathi underground temple located in the temple complex and Sri Mani Gangisvara -Sri Manikanteswara temple behind the main temple complex are another key attraction. Every year lakhs of people come here to worship Shiva during Maha Shiv Ratri and seek blessings from him. Also it is quite near from Tirupati so devotee who visit Tirumala temple are also come here at Srikalahasti.
Various Puja – Rituals like Abhishekam, Subrata Seva, Archana , Gomatha Pooja Sahasra Namarchana Trisathi Archana Rahu Ketu Puja Kaal Sarp Nirvana Puja Ashirvachanam Rahu Ketu Kaal Sarpa Nirvana Puja etc. are performed here in temple complex along with certain Dosha Poojas and medium of communication will be Tamil, Telugu and English.
How to reach SriKalahasti Temple: The nearest airport is Tirupati Airport at just 25 km where tourist can get daily flights from all major cities like Hyderabad, Delhi, Bangalore etc. Sri Kalahasthi has railway station where tourist can get train from all major cities including Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Kolkata etc. The closest major railway junction is at Renigunta at just 25 km from srikalahasthi. Srikalahasti is very well connected via road with all major town of Andhra Pradesh where lot of buses, private vehicle are available to serve tourist and devotee.
