Interesting and Informative Details On Srikalahasti Temple.

 

In the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh state lies the famous and beautiful Srikalahasti temple. The temple is near the Tirumala Tirupati temple at a distance of 36 kilometers away. Lord Shiva is the deity found in this temple. The temple serves an important role to the devotees.

Being built by King Krishnadevraya of the Vijayanagar empire, its architecture is amazing drawn from the Dravidian style in 1516. Carvings of ancient structures are placed in the temple making it worthy and attractive to devotees and tourists who feel the spiritual atmosphere surrounding the place. The Gopuram is beautifully decorated with expensive ornaments.

The temple can also be referred to as "Kashi or Kailassa of the south."

The Historical story of Srikalahasti temple.

The legend stories explain that there existed three animals who worshipped Lord Shiva to get Moksha. The animals were:

·         Sri – Spider.

·         Kala – Snake.

·         Hasti – Elephant.

The name of the temple came as a result of the three animals. According to the belief the temple was built in the reign of Pallava in the 5^th century. Since then the temple has seen numerous changes during the reign of the Chola kingdom and the Vijayanagar dynasty.

Srikalahasti temple architecture.

The architectural design of Srikalahasti temple is the Dravidian style. It was built in the 5^th century by the Pallava. The temple entrance faces south as the main shrine is built facing the west resembling the elephant track. The idol of Lord Shiva is made using the white stone. During the 1516 century, during the reign of Vijayanagar king, the temple Mandap was made consisting of 100 carved pillars together with the four gopuras and the outer walls of the temple.

The Srikalahasti temple timings.

The temple timings are indicated below:

• ·         The temple's timings are from 5:30 am to 9:30 every day.
• ·         The Darshan timings are from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm every day.
• ·         Raha Ketu Pooja timings are from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm every day.

Dress code at the Srikalahasti temple.

The temple management requires devotees to dress in decent outfits, especially the traditional attires.

The Srikalahasti temple Rahu ketu Pooja.

One of the most famous Pooja conducted in this temple is Rahu Ketu. The Pooja is performed under the below-stated guidelines:

• Ø  It takes a duration of one hour.
• Ø  Fasting is observed until the Pooja is over.
• Ø  Pooja can be conducted as a couple or single.
• Ø  2 people are allowed per ticket.
• Ø  For more people, one can buy an entry ticket for Rs. 200.

Benefits for Rahu Ketu Pooja.

Rahu Ketu Pooja has its benefits. These benefits include:

• ü  Rahu Ketu Pooja brings good health and career.
• ü  It removes any bad luck during pregnancy.
• ü  Performed when searching for promotions.
• ü  Takes away Dosha related to marriages.
• ü  Raha Ketu is done for higher education.
• ü  Can drive away Dosha in relationship to Kala Sarpa Dosha.

NB. For good results, perform Rahu Ketu Sarpa Dosha 2 times per year during:

o   Dakshinayanam occurs from the 15^th of July up to the 15^th of January.

o   Uttarayanam occurring 15^th of January up to 15^th July.

The Srikalahasti temple Pooja timings and ticket cost.

The table below shows the Pooja timings and ticket costs in Srikalahasti temple:

Nos.	Pooja names.	Cost.	Timings.
1.	Special darshan.	Rs. 200.	5:30 am – 6:00 am.
2.	Abhishekam.	Rs. 200.	6:00 am, 7:00am, 10:00 am, 5:00 pm.
3.	Suprabhratha Seva.	Rs. 50.	5:30 am – 6:00 am.
4.	Archana.	Rs. 25.	6:00 am – 9:00 pm.
5.	Gomatha Pooja.	Rs. 50.	6:00 am – 9:00 pm.
6.	Trisathi Archana.	Rs. 125.	10:00 am – 10 pm, 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm.
7.	Rahu ketu Pooja.	Rs. 500.	6:00 am – 6:00 pm.
8.	Kaal Sarpa Nirvana Pooja.	Rs. 750.	6:00 am – 6:00 pm.
9.	Aseervachana Rahu ketu Kaal Sarpa Nirvana Pooja.	Rs. 1500.	6:00 am – 6:00 pm.
10.	Special Kaal Sarpa Nirvana Pooja.	Rs. 2500.	6:00 am – 6:00 pm.
11.	Chandi Homam.	Rs. 1,116.	10:30 am.
12.	Rudra Homam.	Rs. 1,116.	10:30 am.

 

Booking Pooja at Srikalahasti temple.

If anyone needs to book Pooja at Srikalahasti temple, he/she must appear physically in the temple and get your Pooja ticket for the day. The ticket is only for that day.  No online booking or advance booking. There is no entry fee making it easy for all devotees.

Festivals in Srikalahasti temple.

Srikalahasti temple celebrates a number of festivals which include:

• o   Sivarathri Brahmotsavam – Celebrated in 12 days.
• o   Sri Swami Ammavarla Kalyanotsavam.
• o   Mahasivarathri.
• o   Rathotsavam.
• o   Nandi Seva.
• o   Teppotsavam.
• o   Lingodbhavam.

Ways to reach Srikalahasti temple.

The are 3 ways how to reach Srikalahasti temple. These ways are such as:

v  By Train.

The nearest railway station is Srikalahasti railway station. A distance of two kilometers from the temple.

v  By Air.

Tirupati Airport is 45 kilometers from the Srikalahasti temple. From the airport, one can book a taxi or car to reach the temple.

v  By Road.

Srikalahasti bus station is 3 kilometers from the temple. The station provides express buses to the temple.

Best moments to visit the temple.

The best moments when visiting the Srikalahasti temple are from November to February. It is a winter season and the weather is cool and pleasant.

Dos and Don’ts in Srikalahasti temple.

Every place has its precautions. When visiting the Srikalahasti temple note the following points:

• §  One should wash his/her head before conducting Pooja.
• §  After Rahu Ketu and temple Pooja moves home. Do not go to relatives or friends home.
• §  Females undergoing menstrual periods, shouldn't attend Pooja before 8 days or after 8 days of the cycle.
• §  No cell phones and electric gadgets are allowed in the temple.
• §  Avoid offering Sastanga Namaskara in the Naga Devatha temple.
• §  Dosha Nivarani Poojas for pregnant women is not performed in the temple.

Other temples performing Rahu Ketu Pooja.

Apart from the Srikalahasti temple, there are other temples that perform Rahu Ketu Pooja. These temples are such as:

• Ø  Rameswaram Tamilnadu.
• Ø  Nagulamadaka Karnataka.
• Ø  Mopidevi temple.
• Ø  Kukee Subramanya Swamy temple.
• Ø  Ghati Sri Subramanya temple.
• Ø  Kakani Bhramaramba Malleswara Swamy temple.
• Ø  Trayambakeshwar temple.
• Ø  Bhairavakona temple.
• Ø  Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja temple.

 

FAQs.

1. 1.      Which is the main Pooja performed in Srikalahasti temple?

The main Pooja performed in Srikalahasti temple is Rahu Ketu.

1. 2.      Can one fast before performing Rahu Ketu?

Yes, one should observe fasting until the Rahu Ketu Pooja is over.