A Visit to Kalahasti
What is Sri Kalahasti All about:
This is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams (temples celeberating Shiva as the embodiment of the primary element). There are five such temples each celeberating one of the elements -
This is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams (temples celeberating Shiva as the embodiment of the primary element). There are five such temples each celeberating one of the elements -
- Sri Kalahasti [Air]
- Tiruvannamalai [Fire]
- Chidambaram [Space]
- Tiruvannaikaval [Water]
- Kanchipuram [Earth].
This temple is also associated with "Rahu" and "Ketu"
How to get there:
Srikalahasti is situated in Chittoor district of Andhra pradesh and is just 30 kms away from the pilgrimage town of Tirupati (which is also the nearest airport). There are buses every 10 minutes from Tirupati and hence very well connected.
Where to stay:
There are various lodges and hotels all located within walking distance from the temple - the rates range anywhere from Rs.250 (for Non A/c rooms) to Rs.800 for an A/c room for 24 hours.
About the temple:
The inscriptions found in this temple date it back to approximately 10th century BC. The temple is west facing and is situated on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi. North of the temple is "Durgambika Hill", south is the "Kannappar Hill" and east is the "Kumaraswamy Hill".
There is another huge Gopuram which is besides the main entrance - this was built by Krishnadevaraya. There is an underground Ganpati shrine in the outer prakaram while the innermost prakaram houses Shiva and Parvati.
Shiva is said to have given salvation to a spider, elephant and a serpent who were ardent devotees of the Lord.
Festivals:
Mahashivratri (Feb 15 to March 15) is the greatest festival season of the temple and the otherwise sleepy hamlet is choc-a-bloc with devotees thronging to the temple from all over the country. Reservations for hotels have to be made in advance if one decides to visit the town during this period.
Temple address & Contact information:
Sri Kalahastiswaraswamy vari Devastanam
Sri Kalahasti
Chittoor District
Andhra Pradesh
PIN - 517644
Tel Nos: 08578-221655 / 222787
Some photos taken by me during my trip to Sri kalahasti [Mar 2, 2009 t0 Mar 4, 2009]
How to get there:
Srikalahasti is situated in Chittoor district of Andhra pradesh and is just 30 kms away from the pilgrimage town of Tirupati (which is also the nearest airport). There are buses every 10 minutes from Tirupati and hence very well connected.
Where to stay:
There are various lodges and hotels all located within walking distance from the temple - the rates range anywhere from Rs.250 (for Non A/c rooms) to Rs.800 for an A/c room for 24 hours.
About the temple:
The inscriptions found in this temple date it back to approximately 10th century BC. The temple is west facing and is situated on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi. North of the temple is "Durgambika Hill", south is the "Kannappar Hill" and east is the "Kumaraswamy Hill".
There is another huge Gopuram which is besides the main entrance - this was built by Krishnadevaraya. There is an underground Ganpati shrine in the outer prakaram while the innermost prakaram houses Shiva and Parvati.
Shiva is said to have given salvation to a spider, elephant and a serpent who were ardent devotees of the Lord.
Festivals:
Mahashivratri (Feb 15 to March 15) is the greatest festival season of the temple and the otherwise sleepy hamlet is choc-a-bloc with devotees thronging to the temple from all over the country. Reservations for hotels have to be made in advance if one decides to visit the town during this period.
Temple address & Contact information:
Sri Kalahastiswaraswamy vari Devastanam
Sri Kalahasti
Chittoor District
Andhra Pradesh
PIN - 517644
Tel Nos: 08578-221655 / 222787
Some photos taken by me during my trip to Sri kalahasti [Mar 2, 2009 t0 Mar 4, 2009]
posted by N.Srinivasan at
7:19 PM
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