Srikalahasthiswara Swamy Temple,Darshan Information

Srikalahasthiswara Swamy Temple

26 Jan

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Alongside the flowing waters of Swarnamukhi river, is the Srikalahasthi temple, known as Dakshina Kailasam. One of the Pancha Booth sthalam, here, Shiva manifests in the form of wind or the Vayulingam. He is also Srikalahasthiswar, the one who gave boon to spider, snake and elephant. The original temple was built by the Pallavas and the current structure by the Cholas. The inscriptions in Srikalahasthiswara Swamy temple denotes that Cholas and the Vijayanagara rulers have made several endowments to this temple. Adi Sankara is said to have visited this temple and offered worship here. The main tower and the mandapams were built by Krishnadevaraya in the 15th century. Many poets have sung hymns in praise of the temple

Location Andhra Pradesh , Chittoor, Hyderabad

Legend

Mythology about the shrine describes that Lord Shiva gave salvation to a spider, elephant and a serpent who were ardent devotees of the Lingam located here. The spider is said to have attained moksha in Kritayuga while the elephant and the snake prayed here in Treta Yugam.

Legends regarding the Srikalahasthiswara Swamy temple also describes the story about Kannappa Nayanar, who offered his own eyes to the Lord. Indra and Rama are also believed to have worshipped the Lord here.

This temple is part of the famous Pancha Bootha Stalam Yatra.

Architecture

The road paved with shops and bazaars lead to the temple of Srikalahasthi. The shrine is built in Dravidian style of architecture. It has inscriptions from the Chola and Vijayanagar period. The temple has a Rajagopuram, white in colour, seven tiered with golden kalasams at the top, adorned with intricate carvings. The lingam is white and self manifested. The temple has carved pillars, mantapams and altars. The temple has shrines for Vinayaka, Kannappa Nayanaar among others. The temple is surrounded by two sacred hills which also has temples for Durgama and Subrahmanya

Culture

The temple is the foremost attraction in Srikalahasthi and sees a huge flow of devotees. Agriculture and tourism form the major occupation of the people here.