Kalahasteeswara Swamy Temple, Sri Kalahasthi – History
This
temple has been referred to in pre-Christian Tamil literature. The Tamil
Saivite saints of the 1st millennium CE have visited this temple and sung its
fame. The adjoining hill Dakshina Kailasam has many fine Pallava carving. The
initial structure of this temple was constructed by the Pallava dynasty in the 5th century. Like other great
temples, the construction period of Srikalahasthi temple lasted centuries.
Around the 10th century, the Chola kings renovated the temple and constructed
the main structure. There are Chola inscriptions in this temple which date back
to the 10th century CE. The temple received contributions from various ruling
dynasties like Cholas and Vijayanagar Empire. The hundred-pillared
hall with intricate carvings was commissioned during the regime of Krishnadeva
Raya during 1516 AD. The historical reference to this
temple occur in the works of Nakkeerar, a Tamil poet during the Tamil Sangam Dynasty. He called it
as Southern Kailash. Nakkeerar composed hundreds of Tamil stanzas to praise
Srikalahasteeswara.
Dhoorjati
a Telugu poet native of this place and one among the ashtadiggajas of
Krishnadevaraya’s court composed hundred stanzas on Kalahasteeswara.
“Sree-Kalattipuranam” by the brothers Karunapprakasar, Sivapprakasar and
Velappa, “Tirukkalattipuranam” by Aanandakoottar and “Tirukkalatti Ula” by
Seraikkavirayar were inspired by this holy place. Adi Sankara is said to have
visited this temple and offered worship here. The Telugu poem 'Sri Kalahasti Satakam'
explains the traditions associated with this temple. Muthuswamy Dikshitar, one
of the foremost composers in the Carnatic Music Tradition has sung the glory of
this temple in his kriti 'Sree Kaalahasteesa'.
The 15-century
iconic 135-foot high Rajagopuram of Srikalahasthi Temple, built by Krishnadevaraya
as a token of his gratitude to Kalahasteeswara following the successful Kalinga
campaign wherein the Raya vanquished the Surya-vamsa Gajapati kings of Orissa
and reclaimed lost territories, collapsed on 26 May 2010. Krishnadeva Raya
also constructed the hundred-pillared mandapam at Sri Kalahasti. In 1529 AD the
coronation of King Achyuta Raya of Vijayanagara was performed here. As per Archaeology
Department, the temple tower stood on a foundation that had a depth of only
one-and-a-half feet and had a thin crack for 25 years before it got collapsed
which expanded as years passed by. The Rajagopuram is reconstructed again in
its original form at the same location with a budget of 45 crores and is
consecrated on 18, January 2017.