Srikalahasti Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

Srikalahasti Temple also popular as ‘Dakshina Kailasam’ is located in the Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the most famous Shiva temples and is close to the Lord Balaji Temple. It is counted among one of the ‘Pancha Bhoota Stalams’ that celebrate Lord Shiva as the personification of the primary elements. Rahu Ketu Pooja is most famously performed here.

Srikalahasti Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Srikalahasti (Lord Shiva)
Location	Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
Significance	Pancha Bhoota Stalams
Entry Fee	Free
Darshan Timings	6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Poojas	Rahu Ketu Pooja
Best Time to Visit	October to March
Festivals	Shravan, Shivratri
Pancha Bhoota Stalams	Jambukeswarar Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, Chidambaram Nataraja, Arunachalam Temple

What are the timings of Srikalahasti Temple?

Timings	From	To
Darshan	6 AM	9 PM

The Prasad costs Rs 10 for Laddu, Pulihora, and Vada. While each Jalebi costs Rs 15, the Mahanivedanaladdu laddu is available for Rs 50. Hence, a pilgrim can take his pick of these options and cherish the unique taste as well.

What are some of the poojas and rituals at Srikalahasti Temple?

Some of the poojas and rituals that take place at Srikalahasti temple are:

• The priest performs the Rahu Kethu Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Puja in the temple from 6 AM to 7 PM on all days except for Maha Shivaratri. A large number of pilgrims belief that the most auspicious days to observe this puja is on an Amavasya day in a calendar month or Sunday Amavasya.
• The Unjal Seva is a special service to the Lord and the Goddess on every full moon day. In this puja, the deities adorned with precious ornaments for seven weeks. The pilgrims make an endowment of Rs 5000 and in this Seva, the devotees offer service to the God and the Goddess with their own hands.
• Nandi Seva is another service which the visitors offer by paying Rs 6500. It can take place on any day and Abhishekam is in their name besides giving tirtha and annaprasadas.
• Abhishekam refers to ‘Bathing the Lingam’. It is the most important ritual of the temple along with the daily prayers. Abhishekams are performed four times in a day and signify the act of cleansing and singing melodious hymns praising the Lord.
• Panchakarpur refers to paste comprising camphor, water, honey, milk and is the most important Abhishekam. Rudra Abhishekam refers to bathing the Lord with milk and camphor and chanting mantras and prayers. Pala Abhishekam signifies bathing the Lord with milk and Panchamrutha Abhishekam is offered to both the Lord and Gnana Pransunambika.

What is the significance of Srikalahasti Temple?

The significance of the temple is that the Linga is white in colour and even the priest does not touch it. This ancient temple is also considered as the Kailash of the South or Dakshin Kailash.

The element of Air is signified by this temple while the other four are associated with Tiruvannamalai (fire), Chidambaram (space), Tiruvanaikkaval (water) and Kanchipuram (earth).

Srikalahasti Temple has two major shrines for Lord Shiva and Parvati. A small shrine, Dakshinamurthy, is for the Guru of Lord Shiva. Additionally, there are many other deities for Venkateswara, Vinayaka, Nataraja, Surya and replica of Lingas of famous Shiva temples from all over India.

Pallava dynasty started Srikalahasti Temple’s construction during the 5^th century. The Chola and Vijayanagara kings provided great assistance to the development of this temple. Around the 10^th century, the Chola kings renovated the main shrine and constructed the main temple.

According to beliefs, Lord Shiva appeared in this place to Bhakta Markandeya. He taught him that a Guru alone can preach divine understandings and is hence the Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswara.

Three hills surround the Srikalahasti Temple – Durgambika in the north, Kannappar in the south and Kumaraswamy in the east. This famous pilgrimage destination is along the banks of the Swarnamukhi River.

The Temple Trust consists of fifteen members and Sri Guravaiah Naidu is the Trust Board Chairman of this temple.

Srikalahasti Temple offers free bus service from the temple premises to the railway station and the bus stand as well. All the pilgrims can avail this facility without bearing any cost.

What is the history of Srikalahasti Temple?

The most prominent legend of history of the temple is about the strong devotion of the spider Sri, the snake Kala and the elephant Hasti. The elephant used to clean the deity by pouring river water from his trunks and praying with Bilva leaves. The spider protected the Shiva lingam by weaving his web. While the snake placed a precious gem on the linga to decorate God.

One day there a fight occurred among the three as the elephant cleaned the linga where the snake and the spider placed gem and built the cob. While the snake died by entering the elephant’s trunk, the elephant died by hitting its trunk and head against the linga. The spider also died. Pleased with their selfless devotion, Lord Shiva associated their names with the Vayulinga. The place is hence Srikalahasteeswara.

It is also a belief that Rahu and Ketu, two of the nine planets in Indian Astrology offered their prayers at this famous temple.

Another legend refers to Goddess Parvati’s curse. Lord Shiva cursed Parvati to discard her heavenly body to take a human form. Parvati penanced here to get rid of the curse. Hence, eventually, Lord Shiva recreated her body using various mantras like the Panchakshari. Parvati then became popular as Gnana Prasunamba or Gnana Prasunambika Devi.

A ghost named Ghanakala also prayed here for 15 years following a curse. After he recited Bhairava Mantra many times, Lord Shiva regained her original form. Lord Shiva tested the devotion of Thinnadu before the sages accumulated at Srikalahasti. Shiva created a tremor that caused the top of the roof to fall.

What is the structure of Srikalahasti Temple?

Srikalahasti Temple is a remarkable Shiva temple. It consists of a huge and ancient entrance tower (gopuram) over the main entrance. This tower is 120ft high and is carved out from a huge stone hill. The Vijayanagara king, Krishnadevaraya in 1516 constructed the 100 pillar mandapam and the gopuram.

A lamp is presented inside the inner sanctum which flickers constantly without any air movement. One can clearly observe it when the priest closes the entrance of the main deity room that has no windows.

Which festivals are celebrated at Srikalahasti Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Srikalahasti temple are:

• The Mahasivaratri Brahmotsava is the most important and auspicious festival of the temple. There are innumerable devotees who gather in the temple during this time. This 12 days festival is celebrated during the Kartik month on an annual basis. Mahasivaratri, Nandi Seva, Lingodbhavam, Rathotsavam, Teppotsavam, Sri Swami-Ammavarla Kalyanotsavam, Palki Seva are some of the most vital aspects of this festival.
• The Aadi Krithika festival is for the worship of Lord Kumaraswamy as it is his power day. The Krithika star day of the Aadi month marks for a rejuvenating occasion to rebuild one’s positive energy. Pilgrims gather at the Vignana Giri to worship during this festival.
• Kedaari Gowri Vratham is celebrated on Diwali at the temple premises. Thousands of women gather in this temple every year to worship Ammavaru. People wear new clothes, lit lamps and seek blessings during this event.

On occasions such as Brahmosavams, Vijayadasami, New Year, Ugadi, Ekadashi and Mukkoti, pilgrims from surrounding places pay a visit to this temple.

What is the Nitya Annadana Scheme?

The Nitya Annadana Scheme provides free food to the devotees who visit this temple. An average of 200 pilgrims is fed on a daily basis under this plan. Moreover, it is in the name of the donor who can contribute any amount over Rs 1116.

Every year on the day of the donor’s choice, annadanam is provided by using the interest derived from the endowment. People who donate Rs 1000 are Poshakas, Rs 25000 are Raja Poshakas and those who donate Rs 50000 are Maharaja Poshakas. The donations can be sent to the Executive Officer of the temple by way of a demand draft that can be drawn from any bank.

How to reach Srikalahasti Temple?

Here’s how to reach Srikalahasti temple:

• Air: The easiest way to reach this temple by air is Tirupati Airport.
• Rail: Sri Kalahasti railway station is the nearest to the temple and it is on the Tirupati-Vijayawada broad gauge rail route.
• Road: Both KSRTC and APSRTC operate buses during the day and night.

Where to stay near Srikalahasti Temple?

There are many guest houses near the Srikalahasteeswara Temple where one can stay. From affordable single to double and dormitory, there are a variety of options for accommodation. One can also book air-conditioned rooms as per their requirement. There are also multiple luxury hotels with world-class modern facilities.

Where to eat near Srikalahasti Temple?

There are many restaurants and small eatery joints in the surrounding area of the Srikalahasteeswara Temple. One can taste authentic Indian food at a decent price. Also, for people looking out for international cuisines, Andhra Pradesh offers exotic restaurants that provide an array of delicacies to suit one’s taste buds.

What are some of the temples nearby?

Some of the temples near Srikalahasti temple are:

• Sri Subrahmanya Swami Temple: It is on the northeastern side and is one of the important destinations for people who visit the Srikalahasteeswara shrine.
• Bhakta Kannappa Temple: This shrine is for Bhakta Kannappa and is on Kailasagiri. It is on the eastern side of the Srikalahasteeswara temple.
• Durgamma Temple: This is on the hillock northern direction of the temple.
• Sri Prasanna Varadaraja Swami Temple: This temple stands near to the Srikalahasteeswara Swamy temple as an epitome of religious harmony.
• Panchamukheswaram: This auspicious shrine is both significant and rare in its own right. This temple of Lord Siva is unique and of great importance next to that of Nepal.

Frequently Asked Questions about Srikalahasti Temple