Sri Kalahasti Temple is one of the most ancient and magnificent temples in India, located in the town of Srikalahasti, in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here as Kalahasteeswara, the lord of the wind. The temple is also known as Dakshina Kailasam, or the Kailash of the south, as it is considered to be one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalam, the five temples of Lord Shiva that represent the five elements of nature: earth, water, fire, air, and sky. The temple is famous for its stunning architecture, rich history, and sacred legends, as well as its popular sevas and festivals, especially the Rahu Ketu Pooja, which is believed to remove the ill effects of the planetary positions.
In this article, we will explore the various aspects of this temple, and provide you with all the information you need to plan your visit and enjoy your experience.
History of Sri Kalahasti Temple
The history of Sri Kalahasti Temple dates back to the pre-Vedic times, when it was originally a small shrine worshipped by the local tribes. According to the legends, the temple was built by a spider, a snake, and an elephant, who were devotees of Lord Shiva. The spider spun a web over the lingam, the snake adorned it with gems, and the elephant offered water and flowers. However, one day, the elephant unknowingly destroyed the web and the gems, and the spider and the snake bit the elephant, resulting in their mutual death. Lord Shiva was pleased with their devotion and granted them liberation, and named the place as Sri Kalahasti, which means the hill of the spider (Sri), the snake (Kala), and the elephant (Hasti).
The temple was later renovated and expanded by various dynasties, such as the Pallavas, the Cholas, and the Vijayanagaras, who added gopurams, mandapas, shrines, and sculptures to the temple. The temple also finds mention in the Tamil literature, such as the Tevaram and the Periya Puranam, and has several inscriptions on its walls that record the donations and grants made by the kings and the devotees. The temple is also associated with the life and works of the 63 Nayanars, the Tamil saints who were ardent followers of Lord Shiva. One of them, Kannappa Nayanar, is said to have offered his eyes to the lingam, when he saw blood oozing from it. Lord Shiva was moved by his sacrifice and restored his eyes, and also granted him a place in his abode.
Significance of Sri Kalahasti Temple
Sri Kalahasti Temple is one of the most important and revered temples of Lord Shiva, as it is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalam, the five temples that represent the five elements of nature. The temple represents the element of air, or vayu, and the lingam here is known as Vayu Lingam, as it is constantly swayed by a natural air vent in the sanctum. The temple is also aligned with the sun and the moon, and the rays of the sun fall on the lingam during certain times of the year. The temple also depicts the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, or Nataraja, in various forms and postures, such as the Ananda Tandava, the Urdhva Tandava, and the Bhujanga Tandava.
The temple is also significant for its connection with the planets Rahu and Ketu, who are considered to be the shadowy nodes of the moon, and are believed to influence the destiny of the human beings. According to the legend, Rahu and Ketu were cursed by Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, when they tried to drink the nectar of immortality during the churning of the ocean. As a result, they were severed into two halves, and became the enemies of the sun and the moon, causing eclipses. They came to Sri Kalahasti Temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva, who granted them the status of planets, and also the power to bestow good or bad results to the people, depending on their karma. The temple is therefore considered to be the best place to perform the Rahu Ketu Pooja, which is a ritual that is done to appease the planets and to remove the negative effects of their positions, such as the Sarpa Dosha, the Kalasarpa Dosha, the Kala Sarpa Yogam, etc.
Architecture of Sri Kalahasti Temple
Sri Kalahasti Temple is a marvel of architecture, as it showcases the various styles and features of the different dynasties that contributed to its construction and development. The temple covers an area of about 23 acres, and has four gopurams, or towers, that mark the entrances to the temple. The main gopuram, or the Rajagopuram, is the tallest and the most impressive one, as it stands at a height of 120 feet, and has nine storeys. The gopuram is adorned with intricate carvings of gods, goddesses, animals, and floral motifs, and is a fine example of the Vijayanagara style of architecture. The other gopurams are also decorated with sculptures and paintings, and are of varying heights and styles.
The temple has several mandapas, or halls, that serve different purposes, such as the Nandi Mandapa, the Rahu Ketu Mandapa, the Kalyana Mandapa, the Unjal Mandapa, etc. The mandapas are supported by pillars that have exquisite carvings of various themes, such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavata, the Shiva Purana, etc. The pillars also have statues of the Nayanars, the Alwars, the Acharyas, and the Nayakas, who were the patrons and the devotees of the temple. The mandapas also have paintings on their ceilings and walls, that depict the legends and the festivals of the temple, such as the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the penance of Kannappa Nayanar, the Rathotsavam, the Teppotsavam, etc.
The temple has several shrines, or sannidhis, that are dedicated to various deities, such as Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Lord Subrahmanya, Lord Vishnu, etc. The main shrine, or the garbhagriha, is where the Vayu Lingam is installed, and is the most sacred and the most visited part of the temple. The shrine is built in the form of a cave, and has a natural air vent that constantly blows air on the lingam. The shrine also has a silver plated door, that has the images of the spider, the snake, and the elephant, who were the original builders of the temple. The shrine also has a small opening on the roof, that allows the rays of the sun to fall on the lingam during certain times of the year. The shrine is also surrounded by a prakaram, or a circumambulatory path, that has several niches and chambers, that house the idols and the relics of the temple.
Legends of Sri Kalahasti Temple
Sri Kalahasti Temple is a treasure trove of legends, stories, and myths, that reveal the glory and the grace of Lord Shiva, and his devotees. The temple is associated with several incidents and episodes from the Hindu scriptures and the folklore, that illustrate the power and the compassion of the lord, and the devotion and the surrender of the devotees. Some of the most famous and fascinating legends of the temple are:
- The legend of the spider, the snake, and the elephant, who were the original builders and worshippers of the temple, and who attained liberation by the grace of Lord Shiva, who named the place as Sri Kalahasti, after them.
- The legend of Rahu and Ketu, who were cursed by Goddess Parvati, when they tried to drink the nectar of immortality, and who came to the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva, who granted them the status of planets, and also the power to bestow good or bad results to the people, depending on their karma.
- The legend of the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who chose the temple as their wedding venue, and who invited all the gods, goddesses, sages, and devotees to witness their union. The temple celebrates this event every year, as the Kalyanotsavam, or the marriage festival, which is one of the most auspicious and grand occasions of the temple.
- The legend of Kannappa Nayanar, who was a hunter and a devotee of Lord Shiva, who offered his eyes to the lingam, when he saw blood oozing from it. Lord Shiva was moved by his sacrifice and restored his eyes, and also granted him a place in his abode. The temple has a statue of Kannappa Nayanar, and also a shrine dedicated to him, where his sandals are kept as a symbol of his devotion.
Sevas and Festivals of Sri Kalahasti Temple
Sri Kalahasti Temple is a hub of sevas and festivals, that attract thousands of devotees and pilgrims from all over the world, who come to the temple to participate in the rituals and to witness the celebrations.
Some of the most popular and important sevas and festivals of the temple are:
- Rahu Ketu Pooja: This is the most famous and sought-after seva of the temple, as it is believed to remove the ill effects of the planetary positions, such as the Sarpa Dosha, the Kalasarpa Dosha, the Kala Sarpa Yogam, etc. The pooja is performed by offering prayers and offerings to the idols of Rahu and Ketu, who are installed in a separate mandapa in the temple. The pooja can be done at any time of the day, but the best time is during the Rahu Kalam, which is the time period when Rahu is most active. The pooja costs between Rs. 300 to Rs. 5000, depending on the type and the location of the pooja. The devotees who perform the pooja should follow a strict dress code, and should also take a bath in the Swarnamukhi river, which flows near the temple, before entering the temple.
- Abhishekam: This is a seva that involves the bathing of the Vayu Lingam with various substances, such as milk, honey, curd, sandalwood paste, etc. The seva is done to express the devotion and gratitude to the lord, and to seek his blessings and protection. The seva is done by the priests of the temple, who chant the mantras and perform the rituals. The seva costs between Rs. 50 to Rs. 2500, depending on the type and the quantity of the substances used. The devotees who participate in the seva can witness the seva from a close distance, and can also receive the prasadam, or the sacred offerings, after the seva.
- Kalyanotsavam: This is a festival that celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who chose the temple as their wedding venue. The festival is held every year, during the month of February or March, and lasts for 10 days. The festival involves the re-enactment of the wedding ceremony, with the idols of the divine couple being decorated and adorned with jewels and flowers. The festival also involves the procession of the idols on various vehicles, such as the chariot, the boat, the palanquin, etc. The festival attracts thousands of devotees and pilgrims, who come to the temple to witness the divine union, and to receive the blessings of the lord and the goddess. The festival costs between Rs. 500 to Rs. 10000, depending on the type and the location of the seva. The devotees who participate in the festival can also offer various gifts and donations to the temple, and can also receive the prasadam, or the sacred offerings, after the festival.
Tips and Information for Visiting Sri Kalahasti Temple
If you are planning to visit Sri Kalahasti Temple, here are some tips and information that will help you to make your trip smooth and enjoyable:
- The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, on all days of the week. However, the timings may vary during the festivals and special occasions, so it is advisable to check the official website of the temple before visiting.
- The temple does not charge any entry fee, but there are separate fees for the sevas and the festivals, which can be paid either online or at the temple counters. The temple also accepts donations and offerings, which can be made through cash, cheque, or online modes.
- The temple has a strict dress code, which requires the devotees to wear traditional and modest clothes, such as sarees, dhotis, kurtas, etc. The temple does not allow jeans, shorts, t-shirts, etc. The temple also does not allow photography and videography inside the temple premises, so it is advisable to leave your cameras and mobile phones outside the temple.
- The temple has a number of facilities and amenities for the visitors, such as cloak rooms, lockers, rest rooms, drinking water, parking, etc. The temple also has a canteen, where you can get vegetarian food and snacks at reasonable prices. The temple also has a souvenir shop, where you can buy various items, such as books, CDs, idols, etc.
- The temple is located in the town of Srikalahasti, which is well connected by road, rail, and air. The nearest airport is the Tirupati Airport, which is about 26 km away from the temple. The nearest railway station is the Srikalahasti Railway Station, which is about 3 km away from the temple. The nearest bus station is the Srikalahasti Bus Station, which is about 2 km away from the temple. You can also hire taxis, autos, or rickshaws to reach the temple from these places.
- The temple is surrounded by a number of hotels, guest houses, and lodges, where you can stay comfortably and affordably. Some of the popular options are the Hotel MGM Grand, the Hotel Sri Sai Teja Residency, the Hotel Sri Kalahasti, etc. You can also book your accommodation online, through various websites, such as MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, OYO, etc.
- The temple is also close to some other attractions, that you can visit along with the temple, such as the Tirupati Temple, the Kanipakam Temple, the Ardhagiri Temple, the Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple, etc. You can also explore the natural beauty and the cultural heritage of the region, such as the Swarnamukhi river, the Vedagiri hills, the Srikalahasti Kalamkari art, etc.
We hope that this article has given you a comprehensive and informative guide to the Sri Kalahasti Temple, and has inspired you to visit this temple and experience its beauty and grace. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to share them with us in the comments section below. Thank you for reading, and happy travelling!