Srikalahasti Temple temple is a masterpiece. Take your time and look around. Inside, the columns look brand new, as they did many years ago, having been protected from decay by nature. When you visit, make sure you have enough time to take in the beauty and spirit of the place. The interior of the temple was built in the 5th century and the exterior was added in the 12th century by the Chola and Vijayanagara emperors. Vayu, the god of wind, is portrayed here as Shiva and is known in art as the lord of elephants.
Once you walk through the gates of the temple, you can see an ancient idol of Sri Jnana Prasunambika Devi on the left. The first is that it is now out for a few reasons, but many people still adore it. No one, not even priests ever touch the special symbol or lingam of Shiva. A mixture of water, milk, camphor and other religious liquids is applied to the body and purified. Sandal flour, flowers and sacred thread are offered to another idol used in ceremonies, not to the main Linga. The temple entrance has a huge tower that is 120 feet high and the whole place is decorated with artwork.
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The History Of Srikalahasti Temple
For over two thousand years, ancient Tamil writings have described Srikalahasti as the ‘Kailas of the South’ and the nearby small river as the ‘Ganges of the South.’ Kailas is a very important spiritual place in India, believed to be the home of Shiva.
According to stories, the Ganges river starts from Shiva’s head. Shiva represents everything good and is a symbol of our true self. The Ganges coming from his head is like an enlightened mind, full of great power and kindness.
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Overview of Srikalahasti Temple
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Deity | Srikalahasteeswara (Shiva), Gnana Prasunambika Devi (Parvati) |
| Location | Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Architecture | Dravidian architecture |
| Historical Significance | Constructed around the 5th century; outer temple by Chola emperors in the 11th century |
| Festivals | Maha Sivaratri |
| Unique Feature | Vayu Lingam (Wind Lingam), one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams, representing the wind |
| Legends | Site where Kannappa was ready to offer his eyes to stop blood flowing from the linga |
| Rituals | Famous for Rahu-Ketu Pooja, performed even on Grahanam Days |
| Darshan Timings | 5:00 am – 9:30 pm |
| Daily Pooja Activities | Multiple poojas throughout the day, including Rudrabhishekam and Nithya Kalyanam |
Procedure To Book The Srikalahasti Temple Darshan Ticket
Srikalahasti temple has darshan tickets. If you want to book, you will need to complete the following steps.
- If you want to register offline for Srikalahasti Temple Darshan, here is how to go about it:
- Make a trip to the Temple Srikalahasti the person.
- Make the visit on the ticket counter of the temple.
- Select the kind of Darshan you would like to have. Among the various types of tickets available is Sheegra Darshan which costs Rs.200 per head.
- Booking details such as name, email, and ID must be submitted as well.
- Payment for the ticket is made at the counter. The tickets are always cash based. Sometimes, payments can be made through a card.
- After payment, you present your ticket along with your cash voucher.
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The Sevas And Their Pricing
| Seva Type | Seva Name | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Arjitha Sevas | Suprabatham | 50 |
| Arjitha Sevas | Archana | 200 |
| Arjitha Sevas | Thomala Seva | 300 |
| Arjitha Sevas | Ekantha Seva | 150 |
| Swastha Sevas | Abhishekam | 500 |
| Swastha Sevas | Sahasranamarchana | 300 |
| Swastha Sevas | Nitya Kalyanam | 1000 |
| Swastha Sevas | Unjal Seva | 300 |
The History of Temple
SRI kalahastiswara Temple is a very popular one also known as daksh kalasam visited by devotes from all over the world every year this Temple is located in the town of Sri Kalah in tirupati District in the state of Andra Pradesh at SRI kalahasti Temple Lord Shiva is devoted in the form of wul lingum wind lingum one of the pabas talams representing the wind the cultural and mythological and indelible beliefs of this Temple Stands Tall like the Towering gopurams of this Temple
the inner Temple was constructed around the fifth century and the outer Temple was constructed in the 11th century by rajendra Chola 1 and later Chola Kings and the Vijay nagara Kings this Temple is found mentioned in scandura and shivapura the peral swam Muki River and lush green mountains and adds to the soul-filling Divine Ambience of this Temple SRI kalahasti got its name because in the days of y a spider Shri serpent color and elephant Hy worshiped Shiva with great devotion and attained
Moka here devotes can see the image of an elephant and below it the image of a spider and behind the mahalinga the image of a serpent decorated B and cows can be seen inside the temple complex much importance is given to goja at this Temple the temple known for its intricate sculptures and carvings gives great Credence to the wonderful towering gopuram of the temple the elegance and exquisiteness of wasu Architecture is clearly visible on the pillars walls and gopuram of the temple at the Northern end of the
gopuram is The Rock Cut Shrine of vinayaka which is 35 ft below the ground level known as padalu vigneswara the belief is that the devotes must pray to kalahastiswara only after offering their prayers to Lord vinayaka the temple faces South while the sanctum faces West even the priest does not touch the holy linger considered as Wu all rituals are done on a replica of this [Music] linga Parvati is woried as gyana prasuna or Gana prasuna Davi in the temple the temple is also regarded as the one which gives relief from rahu
ketu profanities there are smaller shrines in the temple for Kashi vishan Anapa Su narayana sad ganapati and sub Bak Temple is on the hilltop the legend of Kupa who was a hunter and turned into an Ardent devity of Shiva accidentally is associated with the temple kanapa found a linger on the banks of swam Muki River and conducted Puja every day with lots of devotion it is said to be the site where kaapa was ready to Once on seeing blood flowing out from the linger canapa offered both his eyes to
cover blood flowing from the linger before Shiva stopped him and granted him Moka a Dearing devotion to Lord Shiva kalahastiswara is sure to give the desired Bliss to devotes.
Temple Information and Facilities
Many people will approach you, saying they’ll arrange temple rooms or offer cheap deals. In reality, those are not temple-run accommodations but private ones. If you need any information, there’s an information center here where you can inquire. This is the fourth gopuram, also called the Dakshina Gopuram. From here, if you go inside, you’ll find shops related to shopping.
There’s a PRO office here where you can ask about rooms. Opposite to it, there’s a lane where you saw the market earlier; you can find rooms there too. If you walk a bit further, on the right side, you’ll see the pilgrims’ accommodation center where lockers are available. Straight ahead is the temple’s main entry, and next to it is the Annadana Satram (free food distribution center). First, we kept our luggage in the lockers and went to eat.
Locker and Prasadam Details
The charges for lockers are ₹5 for a bag, ₹5 for a mobile phone, and ₹10 for a camera. Next to the counters, there’s a prasadam counter where you can get a token, stand in line, and collect prasadam. The temple food here is amazing. The timings are from 12 PM to 3:30 PM for lunch, and in the evening, they serve tiffin. We don’t know the exact timings for tiffin, so check when you visit. The food is really good. We were among the last to eat, so we only got dal, sambar, and buttermilk, but it was still delicious. Don’t miss the food when you visit.
Avoiding Misinformation
Many people will tell you there’s a big crowd and ask for ₹500 or ₹1,000 to take you directly inside the temple for darshan. Don’t trust them. If you want a quicker darshan, get a special entry ticket from the temple itself. Now, coming to the main topic, many people have doubts about Srikalahasti, like whether you can visit another temple after performing pooja here or if you must go straight home.
Recommendations for Pooja
There are four types of Rahu-Ketu poojas here: ₹500, ₹1,500, ₹2,500, and ₹5,000.The difference is only in the location where the pooja is performed. For ₹5,000, it’s done inside the temple, while for ₹500, they perform it with many people seated together. But it’s still done in the presence of the deity, so ₹500 is sufficient. If you have the budget and want to spend ₹5,000, that’s fine too.
Additional Attractions
After coming out of the temple, if you go to the left, you’ll find the Bhakta Kannappa temple. There are about 150–200 steps to climb but the temple is beautiful, and you get a great view of Srikalahasti. We didn’t visit due to lack of time, but you should definitely go; it’s amazing. From the fourth gate, as you return, you’ll see temple run rooms. You can book them if needed. This lane has shops with items at lower prices compared to other temples. You can even bargain to get things cheaper.
FAQS
What is Srikalahasti Temple?
Srikalahasti Temple is a famous Hindu temple in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshipped as Kalahasteeswara.
How old is Srikalahasti Temple?
The inner part of the temple was built around the 5th century and the outer part was built in the 11th century by Chola kings.
Why is Srikalahasti Temple special?
It is known for the Vayu Lingam which represents the wind element. It’s one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalams, temples that represent the five elements of nature.
Can anyone visit Srikalahasti Temple?
Yes, it’s open to all people no matter what religion they follow.
What are the main rituals at Srikalahasti Temple?
The Rahu Ketu Pooja is a famous ritual performed here to remove negative effects of planets in astrology.
Are there any stories about Srikalahasti Temple?
Yes one story is about a spider, snake and elephant who worshipped Shiva and were granted liberation by him. The temple’s name comes from these creatures: Sri (spider), Kala (snake), and Hasti (elephant).
What should visitors remember?
Visitors should dress modestly and photography is not allowed inside the temple. Also after performing certain rituals like the Rahu Ketu Pooja, it is advised not to visit other temples on the same day.