Deities: Lord ShivaLocation: near Tirupati, South India
Built in: 12th century
Built by: Chola king
STD Code: 08578
Kalahasti is located near the pilgrimage town of Tirupati and is visited by thousands of pilgrims. This temple is also associated with Rahu and Ketu, (of the nine grahams or celestial bodies in the Indian astrological scheme). This famous Saivite temple in Kalahasti, 38 km from Tirupati, is one of the Panchabhoota Kshetras. Located on the banks of river Swarnamukhi, Sri Kalahasti Temple is one of the most ancient temples in South India.
This temple has one of the elemental lingas, the vayu (air) linga. There is a lamp inside the inner sanctum that is constantly flickering despite the lack of air movement inside. The air-linga can be observed to move even when the pujaris close off the entrance to the main Deity room, which does not have any windows. You can see the flames on several ghee lamps flicker as if blown by moving air. The linga is white and is considered Swayambhu, or self-manifested.
Kalahasti is surrounded by two sacred hills. The Durgamba temple is on the northern hill. On the south hill there is the shrine of Kannabeswara, in memory of the Sage Kannappa, who offered an eye to the Lord. When he tried to offer his other eye as well, the Lord mercifully stopped him. There is also a temple dedicated to Subramanya on one of the surrounding hills.
The main linga is untouched by human hands, even by the priest. Abhisheka (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, not the main linga.
This temple is one of the most impressive Siva temples in India. It features an enormous, ancient gopuram (tower) over the main gate. The tower is 36.5m (120 feet) high. The entire temple is carved out of the side of a huge stone hill. It was built in1516 by King Krishnadeva Raya.
The temple is run by neatly dressed Saivite Brahmins, who conduct the worship of the various deities inside. Inside the temple you will find the tremendously ornate and splendid architecture that South India is famous for. Elaborately designed pillars, altars, and paraphernalia abound.
This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the panchabhootha stalams (temples celebrating Lord Shiva as the embodiment of the primary elements), Out of total five elements, air being the element in case here, the other four temples being Tiruvannamalai (fire), Chidambaram (space), Thiruvanikkaval (water) and Kanchipuram (earth) respectively. Sri Kalahasthi is located near the pilgrimage town of Tirupathi and is visited by thousands of pilgrims.
Legend:
Lord Shiva is worshipped here in the form of Vayu Linga (one of the elements air). The legend says that Sri (spider), Kala (cobra) and Hasti (elephant) worshipped Lord Shiva here and attained Moksha. Hence this place is known as Srikalahasti.
A statue that shows all three animals is situated in the main shrine.
The Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana, and Linga Purnas 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 called as Bhakta kannappa), a tribal devotee has worshipped Shiva at Srikalahasti.
Brahma, the God of creation, is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva, and bathed in the swarnamukhi river to get rid of "sisuhathya patakam" (the sin of killing children).
The river Swarnamukhi got its name from a belief that gold was found in its stream. Swarna means gold and Swarnamukhi means gold faced in Sanskrit.
The sukabrahmashrama was established by a noted scholor (equally well in Sanskrit and English) called Sri Vidya Prakasananda Giri Swamy. He is known for his knowledge on Hindu philosophy. He delivered so many talks on Hindu Dharma. His short stories are much talked about among the folklore. The main characterestic of his stories is the lucidity in style that makes essence of the story understandable even to a layman.
Festival:
Maha Shivaratri which occurs in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb 15 through March 15) is one of the greatest festival seasons here, and the celebrations are marked by processions of the deities. The fifth day of the festival in the month of Maasi coincides with the Maha Shivaratri the Shiva Linga of Srikalahasti Temple is considered to be one of the five important Lingas. According to Hindu mythology the five lingas represent the five great elements namely - Water, Fire, Ether, Air and Earth, established in the five great 'Kshetras'. At Srikalahasti Temple Lord Shiva is worshiped as Vayu Linga of the wind God. A flame present in the Garbhagraha of the temple flickers even though no wind can enter the shrine.
Other Attraction near by:
Sri Varahaswami Temple
Sri Venkateshwara Temple
The Swami Pushkarini
The Akashganga Waterfall
The Papa Vinashanam
The Great Geological Arch
Sri Bedi Anjaneyaswami Temple
Japali Hanuman Temple
TTD Gardens
Sri Padmavathi Temple at Tiruchanoor
How to reach:
by Air: The nearest airport is Tirupati 38 km. It is reachable.
by Road: from Tirupati, Chennai or Gudur, the main junction in Madras-Vijayawada by Rail line. The local transport is by taxis or autos. Andhra Pradesh State owned Bus services are also available.
Temple Address:
Sri Kalahastiswaraswamy vari Devasthanam
SriKalaHasti
District- Chittor 517 644
Andhra Pradesh
INDIA
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