Srikalahasti temple is a holy place near Tirupati in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh

Srikalahasti temple is a holy place near Tirupati in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.It is located on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi, a tributary of the river Pennar. Site where Kannappa, one of the 63 Saivite Nayanars, was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Lord Siva stopped him and granted mukti.
This temple was constructed in the 12th century by the Chola king, Rajarajendra. Vayu incarnated as Lord Shiva and is worshipped as Kalahasteeswara. This temple`s main idol is the vayu (air) linga.

The temple is also associated with Rahu and Kethu (of the nine grahams or celestial bodies in the Indian astrological scheme). The river Suvarnamukhi takes the northerly course at Sri Kalahasthi almost washing the west wall of the famous Sri Kalahasthi temple in the Chittor district of Andhra Pradesh. (more rahu ketu page)

 Legend

Sri Kalahasti is named after the staunch devotees of Lord Shiva. They were the Spider (Sri), the Serpent (Kala) and the Elephant (Hasti). Appeased with their unflinching devotion, Lord Shiva gave them a boon that their names be merged with the Vayulinga and called as Sri Kalahasteeswara.
Parvati gained Shiva-Gnanam and came to be known as Gnana Prasunamba or Gnana 

Cursed to became a ghost Ghanakala prayed at Srikalahasti for 15 years and after chanting Bhairava Mantra many times Lord Shiva restored her original form. Mayura, Chandra and Devendra were also freed from their curses after taking bath in the river Swarnamukhi and prayed at Srikalahasti. Mahasivaratri is an important festival when lakhs of people offer prayers to seek the blessings of the Lord to attain Mukti. To Bhakta Markandeya, Lord Shiva appeared in Sri Kalahasti and preached that a Guru alone could make esoteric teachings and, therefore he is Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara. Cursed to became a ghost Ghanakala prayed at Srikalahasti for 15 years and after chanting Bhairava Mantra many times Lord Shiva restored her original form.

About Temple

Srikalahasti which is situated on the banks of Swarnamukhi River and picturesque surrounding of hillocks is a famous Saivite Temple in South India. Thousands of pilgrims visits the temple to have darshan of the almighty Sri Kalahasteeswara and Sri Gnanaprasunambika Devi. Sri Kalahasteeswara showers grace to wipe out the sins and obstacles of devotees. Seers and sages worshipped lord Srikalahasteeswara and praised with hymns.

At Sri Kalahasti, Lord Shiva tested the unshakable devotion of Thinna (Later became Bhaktha Kannappa) before the sages gathered at SriKalahasti. With his divine power, Lord Shiva created a tremor and the roof tops of the temple began to fall. All the sages ran away from the scene except Kannappa who covered the linga with his body to prevent it from any damage.

In another incident, Kannappa plucked out one of his eyes and placed in the eye of Linga which was oozing with blood and tears. When the tears and the blood were still trickling from another eye, Kannappa decided to remove his second eye and placed one of his feet on the spot of the right eye of the Shiva Linga. Before he could pull out his second eye with the arrow, Lord Shiva appeared and restored his eye while granting him a boon to occupy a place close to him.

According to Swami Sivananda's book, Sixty-Three Nayanar Saints, pg. 44, some Saivite traditions believe that Kannappa was the reincarnation of Arjuna. Arjuna, worshipped Siva for seeking the Pasupatha Astra and failed to recognize Him in the form of a hunter. Thus, according to this tradition, Arjuna had to be born as a hunter and adore the Lord before attaining final liberation. This belief is not adopted by all Hindus

The people predominantly speak Telugu and can understand English and Tamil. The residents wear both traditional like Dhoti,Lungi and Saree and as well as modern suits and dresses. The city is also famous for kalamkari art, painting on cotton or silk textiles with dyes made from vegetables. The Rahu-ketu sarpa dosha puja is frequently performed activity. The Telugu poem collection 'Sri Kalahasteeswara Satakam' by Dhurjati explains the traditions associated with this temple during the times of Vijayanagara Empire. Muthuswamy Deekshitar, one of the foremost composers in the Karnatic Music Tradition has sung of this temple in his bhajans 'Sree Kaalahasteesa'. Other works on this temple include the Sree-Kalattipuranam of the three brothers Karunapprakasar, Sivapprakasar and Velappa Deekshitar, Tirukkalattipuranam by Aanandakoottar of Veerainagar and Tirukkalatti Ula by Seraikkavirayar. While all Hindu festivals are observed, Sivaratri is major festival. The town also celebrates Gangammala Jatara in December every year. The movie threatres are popular enteratiainment.

Rahu Ketu

RAHU-KETHU SARPA DOSHA NIVARANA PUJA

Srikalahasteeswara Swamy Temple is reputed. as the Rahu - kethu Kshetra, If the People who have Rahu Kethu Doshas and sarpa Doshas the unmarried and No Children and those who are facing various problems for a long period perform the most effective "Rahu - Kethu Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Puja" in this Temple all the Doshas get removed and desired results occur. Thousands of devotees from the country and abroad perform this puja and fulfil their vows again and again after receiving good results. Rahu - Kethu Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Puja Can be performed daily between 6.30a.m and 9.00p.m..(The Devastanam Will arrange all Puja Materials.).

What is Rahu and Ketu

Rahu & Ketu, the two Nodes of the Moon, take about 19 months to transit through a sign. Rahu will enter Pisces & Ketu in Virgo on 25'Th March 2005. They're unique in the sense that they're always transiting retrograde, indicating Karma from previous lives. Rahu & Ketu are the mysterious unseen points in space causing the eclipses. They're not technically planets but their influence is so significant that they're given the status of planets.

These two are next in importance to the other two planets -Jupiter and Saturn. These four are the slowest moving planets and require maximum attention when they are in transit.

No planet is 100% malefic (bad). The transit effects depend on how we respond to the favorable & unfavorable situations. Rahu has a positive side, offering great boons in communications, new inventions, technology etc.