The Srikalahasteeswara Temple or Srikalahasti Temple is located in Srikalahasti, a town in the Tirupati district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Srikalahasti Temple is One of the Panchabhoota Sthalams located 36 kilometres from Tirupati and is known for addressing wind. It is called the Vayu Lingam (Wind Lingam).

It is one of the most well-known Shiva temples in South India and is thought to be the location where Kannappa was ready to cover the linga with his two eyes before Shiva stopped him and granted him moksha.

Story Behind Srikalahasteeswara Temple

Thousands of years ago, the wind god Vayu performed penance to the Karpoora lingam, Shiva’s camphor-encased lingam. Shiva appeared before Vayu and bestowed three boons, pleased with his penance. Vayu was blessed with the ability to be present everywhere in the world in the form of air and to desire to be an integral part of every being in the form of vayus. Furthermore, the linga Vayu worshipped was named Vayu lingam in his honour and was declared to be worshipped by various beings.

Another legend tells of Shiva’s consort Parvati, who was cursed by him to abandon her divine form and take on human form. Parvati atoned by performing penance at Srikalahasti and pleasing Shiva. Shiva bestowed upon her a heavenly body a hundred times more powerful than her previous divine form. In the temple, Parvati is worshipped as Shiva-Gnanam Gnana Prasunamba or Gnana Prasunambika Devi.

Ghanakala, cursed to become a ghost, prayed for 15 years at Srikalahasti, and after chanting the Bhairava Mantra, Shiva restored her original form. After bathing in the Swarnamukhi River and praying at Srikalahasti, Mayura, Chandra, and Devendra were also freed from their curses. Shiva appeared in Srikalahasti before the sage Markandeya and preached that only a Guru could make esoteric teachings, and thus he is Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswara.

Credit – Wikipedia

History of Srikalahasteeswara Temple

The Srikalahasteeswara Temple was renovated and the main structure was built around the 11th century by Chola king Rajendra Chola I. Contributions to the temple came from various ruling dynasties, including the Chola Dynasty and the Vijayanagar Empire. During the reign of Vijayanagara Krishnadevaraya in 1516 AD, the 120-foot-high main gopuram and the hundred-pillared hall with intricate carvings were commissioned.

On May 26, 2010, the main gopuram built by King Krishnadevaraya collapsed. According to the Archaeology Department, the temple tower stood on a foundation that was only one and a half feet deep and had a thin crack 25 years before it collapsed that expanded over time. With a budget of 45 crores, the Rajagopuram was reconstructed in its original form and consecrated on January 18, 2017.

Architecture of Srikalahasteeswara Temple

The presiding image of Shiva in the form of Linga is made of white stone in the shape of an elephant’s trunk. The sanctum faces west, while the temple faces south. The temple is situated on the foothills of a hill, and it is also believed that it was carved out of a monolithic hill. There is a rock-cut Vinayaka shrine 9 feet below ground level. Some of the rare images found in the temple include Vallaba Ganapathi, Mahalakshmi-Ganpathi, and Sahasra Lingeswara.

There is a large shrine dedicated to Jnanaprasanammba, Kalahatisvara’s consort. Kasi Viswanatha, Annapurna, Suryanarayana, Sadyoganapathi, and Subramanya have smaller shrines in the temple. Sadyogi Mandapa and Jalkoti Mandapa are the two largest halls. Surya Pushkarani and Chandra Pushkarani are two water bodies associated with the.

Facts about Srikalahasteeswara Temple

• The Srikalahasteeswara Temple is considered the “Kashi of the South”.
• The Srikalahasteeswara Temple is revered as one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalam where the presiding deity is worshipped as Vayu lingam (air).
• This is the only temple in India that remains open during Solar and lunar eclipses, while, all other temples are closed.
• Rahu-Kethu pooja is famous at this temple. People are said to be protected from the astrological effects of Rahu and Kethu by performing this pooja.
• According to Hindu myth, Kalahasteeshwara was worshipped here by Brahma throughout all four Yugas.
• Arjuna, the Pandava prince during Mahabharata is believed to have worshipped the presiding deity.
• As the temple is adored in Tevaram, it is delegated Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 275 temples that tracks down notice in the Saiva standard.
• This temple has received numerous gifts from the Vijayanagara rulers as well as the Tamil Cholas. Adi Sankaracharya is said to have visited this temple and offered worship here.

Famous Festivals In Srikalahasteeswara Temple

Millions of people visit the Srikalahasteeswara Temple every year to celebrate all of the festivals that are held here.

• Maha Shivaratri is the most important festival when lakhs of devotees offer prayers to seek the blessings of the Lord.
• Mahasivaratri Brahmotsavams are celebrated on par with Maha Shivaratri for 13 days during which the Utsava murtis of Siva and Parvati will be taken on Vahans in a procession around the temple streets.

How To reach Srikalahasteeswara Temple

The famous Srikalahasti Temple in Srikalahasti is accessible by various modes of transport.

By Air : Tirupati – Tirupati Airport – Renigunta (26 Kms)

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Srikalahasti Railway Station which is merely 4 Km from the temple.

By Road: Srikalahasti is well connected by road to all the major cities in South India. The temple is merely 1.5km from the Bus terminal. Srikalahasti is Just 37 Kms From Tirupati.

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