No products in the cart.
Sri Kalahasti Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Locality/village : Srikalahasti
State : Andhra Pradesh
Country : India
Nearest City/Town : Tirupati
Best Season To Visit : All
Languages : Telugu&English
Temple Timings : 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Photography : Not Allowed
Sri Kalahasti Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Sri Kalahasti Temple is located in the town of Srikalahasti, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is one of the most famous Shiva temples in South India, and is said to be the site where Kannappa was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Shiva linga before the Lord Shiva stopped him and granted him mukti.
Sri Kalahasti temple, situated 36 km away from Tirupati is famous for its Vayu linga, one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams, representing wind. The inner temple was constructed around 5th century and the outer temple was constructed in the 12th century by the Chola kings and the Vijayanagara kings. Lord Shiva in his aspect as Vayu is worshiped as Kalahasteeswara.
Srikalahasti Temple,Andhra Pradesh
The Sri Kalahasti temple is renowned for Lord’s many devotees and how the Lord Maheshwara has blessed them beyond measures. There are many stories about the selfless sacrifices from devotees for the lord, we can also see the Lord Shiva who deeply cares for his devotees, and he also endows the visitors with generous blessings.
The name Sri Kalahasti comes from the three unlikely, but ardent devotees who sacrificed their lives for Lord Shiva – ‘Sri’ for a ‘Spider’, ‘Kala’ for ‘Serpent’ and ‘Hasti’ for ‘Elephant’. Each of the above was occupied with Shiva Pooja in their own ways. The Elephant (Hasti) used to Abhishek the Lord’s Linga with the water brought from the neighboring river. The Spider (Sri) used to weave his strong threads around the Linga to protect it from the natural elements. At this time Serpent (Kala) used to place his dear stone (Naga Manikyam) as a decoration for the Shiva Linga. Once these three happened to cross their paths. The elephant considered the action of the spider to be disrespectful to the lord and at once splashed away the spider’s web with his trunk-full of water. The spider and serpent were enraged by how the elephant’s destroyed their Pooja. The serpent entered the elephant’s trunk and discharged its venom there…The elephant in writhing-pain smashes its trunk against the Lingam and kills the serpent. The spider also dies in this tussle. It is followed by the death of poison-driven elephant. The Lord Maheshwara mightily pleased with this self-sacrifice gave Moksha’s to all the three creatures. The spider takes birth as a great king who continues with his divine task while the elephant and the serpent reaches the heaven attaining liberation from their earthly life- cycle.
Another important story is that of the Shiva devotee Sri Kannappa Swamy, belonging to the 63 sanities. It’s said that he saw blood oozing out of the Lord Shiva’s eyes. In desperation, the Kannappa Swamy plucked-out his own eyes and placed at linga. As he was about to tear down his other eye, the Lord Shiva stopped him and gave Divya-Darshan as Sri Kannappa has passed the divine test.
Among the many illustrious south Indian Shiva temples, the Sri Kalahasti temple always commands special respect and devotion. With its ardent Purana and rich architecture, the Sri Kalahasti temple is assured to be a great experience for a devotee. Apart from the blissful Darshan, Sri Kalahasti is also the place that liberates you from the effects of faulty planetary orientation.
Sri Kalahasti Temple Timings : 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Rahu-Ketu / Sarpdosha/ Grahadoshas / Sarvadoshas Pooja at Kalahasti
A person with faulty Rahu-Kethu planetary positions has a worry-laden life in front of him. He/She could be constantly bombarded with personal, official and financial issues. The roots of these problems could only visible to a professional astrologer, which is the Kaal Sarp Yoga. It invariably leads to the Sri Kalahasti. The Rahu Ketu Sarpdosha Pooja performed at Sri Kalahasti is the ultimate remedy for this problem.
In the inimitable presence of Lord Shiva, Sri Kalahasti is the ultimate place for the Rahu Kethu Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Pooja. Here the blessing of Lord Shiva obliterates the problems of faulty planetary positions to enlighten you to your potential.
At a purely astrological point-of-view, the Prahara Pooja is best performed during the ‘Rahu Kalam’. Each of the Pooja batches lasts around the forty-five minute mark. You can choose from the three ticket options available – Rs. 300/- Rs.750/-, Rs.1500. With patience and planning, you can arrange your Pooja to happen during the ‘Rahu Kalam’, bringing maximum benefits for your prayers.
- For Rs. 300/- Pariharam (Pooja) will be done in a huge hall outside the temple premises.
- For Rs.750/- Pariharam (Pooja) will be done near the main temple premises in an A/C hall which has Shiva Sannidhi inside.
- For Rs.1500/- Pariharam (Pooja) will be done inside the temple premises, which are also considered as VIP tickets.
The Rahu-Ketu pooja is performed from on all days of the year from 6:00am to 7:00pm except on the day of Maha Shivaratri. It is believed that the most important days to perform Rahu-Ketu Pooja are Amavasya day in a calendar month and specifically on Sunday Amavasya.
- Direct buses to Srikalahasthi are available from trupti central bus station
- P.S.R.T.C Buses which goes Gudur,Sulurpet ,Naidupet goes via Srikalahasthi
- Srikalahasthi is 38km from triupati and journey will take 1 hour max.
Sri Kalaahsti Temple is for Nirvana Seekers
Entry Fee
No Entry fee to enter the temple:
300 – 750 per person for Rahu Kethu Sarpa Dosha Nirvana puja (done in the outer courtyard)
1,500 – 2,500 per person for Rahu Kethu Sarpa Dosha Nirvana puja (done within temple premises)
Sri Kalahasti Temple Timing
All days of the week – 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Visit Duration
About 1 hour
One thought on “Sri Kalahasti Temple, Andhra Pradesh”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Beware all pilgrims visiting kalahasthi temple in AP for any peace of mind….there are plenty of greedy vultures in human form right from temple priests to gate keepers to security to Sai volunteers…all vouching to empty your pockets..