Kalahasteeswara Swamy Temple, Sri Kalahasthi, Andhra
Pradesh
Kalahasteeswara
Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Srikalahasthi Town in the state
of Andhra Pradesh, India. This temple is located on the banks of River
Swarnamukhi, adjoining a hill in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh.
Srikalahasthi is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalam, represents the Vayu Sthalam the
others being manifest at Arunachala (Agni-Linga), Kanchi (Prithvi-Linga),
Chidambaram (Akasha-Linga) and Thiruvanaikaval (Jala-Linga). The temple is also
regarded as Rahu-Ketu Kshetra and Dakshina Kasi.
Vayu is
incarnated as Lord Shiva and worshipped as Kalahasteeswara. Goddess Parvathi
Devi is worshiped here as Gnanaparasunambikai. It is one of the most
famous Shiva temples in
South India, and is said to be the site where Kannappa, one of the 63 Saivite Nayanmars, was ready to
offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Siva Linga before the Lord Siva stopped him and
granted him Mukthi. The inner temple was constructed around 5th century
and the outer temple was constructed in the 12th century by the Chola Kings and the Vijaya
Nagara kings.
The
Shivalinga at Sri Kalahasti is marked by symbols of three creatures — that of a
spider at the bottom, a five-hooded snake on top and elephant-tusks on either
side. Legend informs us that Sri (spider), Kala (snake) and Hasti (elephant)
were cursed by Brahma, Shiva and Parvati but attained moksha by worshipping
Lord Shiva here. Hence Shiva came to be called Sri Kalahasteeswara. It is one
of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the
early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Sundarar.
This is
one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 19th Shiva
Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. A lamp burns inside the inner sanctum that constantly
flickers despite the lack of air movement inside. Kalahasti is located near the
pilgrimage town of Tirupati and is visited by thousands of pilgrims. The river Swarnamukhi
takes the northerly course at Sri Kalahasthi almost washing the west wall of
the famous Sri Kalahasthi temple. The temple architecture is a treat to the
eyes for all those who visit Srikalahasthi.
Legends
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History
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The
Temple
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Inscriptions
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Temple
Opening Time
The
temple remains open from 5.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Pooja
Timings
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Religious
Practices & Festivals
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Religious
Importance
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Rahu
Kethu Parihara Sthalam
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Literary
Mention
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Prayers
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Useful
Information
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Contact
Kalahasteeswara
Swamy Temple,
Sri
Kalahasti, Chittoor District,
Andhra
Pradesh – 517644
Phone: +91
8578 222240 / 221336
Mobile: +91 9885974050
Connectivity
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brief details, please refer below link;
