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Srikalahasti Temple

3.6 / 5 Beaches, Hills Valleys,

About Srikalahasti Temple

Far From City: 88 kms from city center
Cost: About Srikalahasti Temple Weather: Time Required:3-4 hrs Open Time:6:00 AM - 9:00 PM Cost:Entry: Free.Rahu Kethu Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Puja: INR 300-500 (outer courtyard), INR 1500-2500 (within temple premises)

History of Srikalahasti Temple The name Srikalahasti was derived from a myth that stated that a Spider (Sri), a Snake (Kala) and an Elephant (Hasti) worshipped Lord Shiva in the town to attain Moksha. The core of this mythology was considered as a sign by many religious believers and hence, in the 5th Century during the Pallava period, the Srikalahasti Temple was built. Further expansion of the temple complex, renovations and some latest structures were built during the reign of the Chola Kingdom during the 11th Century and Vijayanagara Dynasty during the 16th Century. The works of a Tamil Poet, Nakkeerar, have references to the temple proving its existence during the Tamil Sangam Dynasty. Nakkeerar and another famous Telugu Poet, Dhoorjati, wrote numerous stanzas in praise of Srikalahasteeswara. Legend of Srikalahasti Temple The most famous legend states that during the initial phases of the creation of the world, Lord Vayu performed penance to please Karpoora Lingam for thousands of years. Lord Shiva, delighted with Lord Vayu's devotion, granted him three boons. Lord Vayu thus asked for him to grant him worldwide presence, to be an essential part of every living being on the planet and to be given the permission to rename the Karpoora Ligam as Samba Siva. These three requests were granted by Lord Shiva, and Vayu (pranvayu or air) has ever since been an integral part of life on earth and the lingam was worshipped as Samba Siva or the Karpoora Vayu Lingam. Another legend states that Goddess Parvati was once cursed by Lord Shiva and was made to abandon her divine avatar and take the form of an ordinary human. Goddess Parvati performed penance for several years at Srikalahasti to liberate herself from the curse. Lord Shiva was immensely pleased with her devotion and dedication, and he recreated Parvati in a heavenly avatar which is known as Gnana Prasunambika Devi or Shiva-Gnanam Gnana Prasunamba. According to another legend, Kannappa who was one of the 63 Saivite Saints who devoted all their lives to Lord Shiva. Kannappa willingly wanted to offer his eyes to cover the blood flowing from Lord Shiva's lingam. When Lord Shiva got to know about this, he stopped the saint and granted his release from the endless cycle of birth and death. Some say Ghanakala was cursed to take the form of a ghostly spirit. He offered his prayers to Srikalahasti for 15 years and chanted the Bhairava Mantra to please Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva was pleased with Ghanakala's devotion, he restored her to her previous form. Architecture of Srikalahasti Temple The Srikalahasti Temple is a beautiful illustration of the Dravidian Style of architecture that was built during the Pallava period in the 5th Century. The temple complex is located at the base of a hill. Some even believe it is a monolithic structure. The grand temple complex has its entrance facing the south, while the main shrine faces the west. The white stone Shiva Lingam inside this shrine resembles the shape of an elephant's trunk. The main gopuram of the temple is about 120 feet high. The mandap in the temple complex has 100 intricately carved pillars that were built during the reign of a Vijayanagara King, Krishnadevraya, in 1516. The shrine of Lord Ganesh in the complex is a 9 feet tall rock-cut shrine. It also houses shrines for Jnanaprasanammba, Kasi Viswanatha, Suryanarayan, Subramanya, Annapurna and Sadyoganapathi that are adorned with images of Ganapati, Mahalakshmi Ganapathi, Vallabha Ganapati and Sahasra Lingeswara. The temple area also has two more mandaps, the Sadyogi Mandap, the Jalkoti Mandap and two water bodies Chandra Pushkarani and Surya Pushkarani. Srikalahasti Temple Pooja Timings and Cost Temple Abhishekam - 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday to Sunday - INR 600.Subhrata Seva - INR 50Archana - INR 25Gomatha Pooja - INR 50Sahasranamarchana - INR 200 Trisathi Archana - INR 125Rahu Ketu Pooja - 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Sunday - INR 500 Kaal Sarpa Nirvana Pooja - 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Sunday - INR 750 Aseervachana Rahu Ketu Kaal Sarpa Nirvana Pooja - 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM - INR 1500 Special Aseervachana Rahu Ketu Kaal Sarpa Nirvana Pooja - 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM - INR 2500

Best time to visit Srikalahasti Temple The best time to visit Srikalahasti Temple is between November and February, during winters as the weather is pleasant to explore the location. How to Reach Srikalahasti Temple One can take public transport from the Srikalahasti Bus Stand, APSRTC, which is just about 2 kilometres from the temple complex. Public transportation can be availed from any part of Srikalahasti Town. The nearest Railway Station is the Srikalahasti Railway Station which is about 3 kilometres away from the temple complex. The nearest airport is the Tirupati Airport which is a 45-minute drive from the temple. One can take public or tourist vehicles to reach the complex.

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Tips 1. Do not purchase pooja materials from the stalls outside the temple. You are given all the materials that are needed for the pooja Along with INR 1000 ticket. This ticket also entitles you to an exclusive darshan (glimpse) and archana (special pooja) of the main deities within the temple.2. Don't forget to see the Pathala Ganapathi underground temple located in the temple complex.3. Take care if you are in the main sanctum of the temple where the deity is as it is dark and full of roaches. Priests demand money for every statue or thing they show.4. Certain Dosha Poojas could have a dress code; please check at the ticket counter in advance. These Poojas are also instructed in Tamil, Telugu and English.5. For darshan, ensure you wear conservative clothing.

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