Srikalahasti temple - Tirupati Balaji Darshan packages

Srikalahasti temple

           Srikalahasti which is situated on the banks of Swarnamukhi River, is a famous Saivite Temple in South India.Srikalahasti temple is a holy place near Tirupati in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi, a tributary of the River Pennar. Site where Kannappa, one of the 63 Saivite Nayanars, was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Lord Siva stopped him and granted mukti.

          Thousands of pilgrims visits the temple to have darshan of the almighty Sri Kalahasteeswara and Sri Gnanaprasunambika Devi. Sri Kalahasteeswara showers grace to wipe out the sins and obstacles of devotees. The three lofty Gopurams of the temple are remarkable for their architecture. This temple was originally built during Pallava period and current structures are built by Chola Tamil King Kulothunga Cholan I,II and III during 11th century. A huge hundred pillared Mantapam is built by Krishnadevarayar during 16th century which is another important feature of this shrine. It is also the origin of the popular textile painting art called kalamkari. The'Rajagopuram' or main gate of the 500-year-old Srikalahasti Temple in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor District collapsed on 26 May 2010. Srikalahasti is popularly known as "Dakshina Kaashi".

          Sri Kalahasti is named after the staunch devotees of Lord Shiva. They were the Spider (Sri), the Serpent (Kala) and the Elephant (Hasti). Appeased with their unflinching devotion, Lord Shiva gave them a boon that their names be merged with the Vayulinga and called as Sri Kalahasteeswara. A statue that shows all three animals is situated in the main shrine.

           Parvati gained Shiva-Gnanam and came to be known as Gnana Prasunamba. Sri Adi Sankara visited this Kshetra and praised the bhakti of Kannappa in his Sivanandalahari.

          It is one of the panchabhoota sthalam - representing five basic elements. This temple is the Vayu Sthalam among the Pancha Bootha Sthalams representing Air. The others are - Tiruvannamalai (Thejo sthalam - Fire) Kanchipuram (Prithvi sthalam - Earth) Tiruvanaikaval (Appu sthalam - Water) Chidambaram (Akasa sthalam - Space).

          Mahasivaratri is an important festival when lakhs of people offer prayers to seek the blessings of the Lord to attain Mukti. Lord Shiva appeared to Bhakta Markandeya, in Sri Kalahasti and preached that a Guru alone could make esoteric teachings and, therefore he is Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara.

          Srikalahasteeswara Swamy Temple is reputed as the Rahu - kethu Kshetra, If the People who have Rahu Kethu Doshas and sarpa Doshas. The unmarried and No Children and those who are facing various problems for a long period perform the most effective "Rahu - Kethu Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Puja" in this Temple. All the Doshas get removed and desired results occur.