The cause of Srishti, Sthiti, Laya is the mighty lord Maha Shiva, an integral part of the universe. He has various temples in India. Srikalahasti temple, known as Dakshina Kailasa, has more significance than the Kashi Vishwanath kshetra in Varanasi, another widely popular pilgrimage.
Here, let’s know about the Srikalahasti temple.
Religious Significance
The word Srikalahasti arrived because of spider, serpent, elephant, i.e., ( Spi – Sri) ( Kala – serpent ) (Elephant- Hasti). These living beings performed a sacred prayer to accomplish moksha. For their dedication and commitment among shiva, the lord decided to evolve as lingam by merging with their spirits, which are mentioned from the mythological time.
Srikalahasti temple is the 4th one of the Pancha bhoota linga sthalams, representing “WIND.”
The shiva lingam in this temple was autonomous, which is addressed as “Swayambhu Vaayu Lingam”.
The calling of Vayu lingam has a special reason – In the main sanctuary, many diyas are lit, but the main Akhanda Diya, which is located in front of the shiva lingam, is a sight to behold. While the small diyas are steady, the Akhnada Diya sways to the wind. It is believed that it represents the respiration process for Lord Shiva himself, which reflects on that Akhanda Diya.
Among all Shiva temples in the country, In the Srikalahasti temple, nobody, not even the high priest of the temple, can touch the shiva lingam for performing the abhishekams because the lingam radiates the shine in white colour. Due to this occurrence, it is named camphor lingam or karpoora lingam.
Due to this, the priest performs the camphor pooja protected by Nava Grahas like a shield without touching the lingam.
Because of the presence of Navagraha Kavachum, they believe that all Grahas are under lord shiva. So, Rahu-Ketu pooja is performed by 100’s of people at a time.
Location
This locates on the east bank of the Swarnamukhi river in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. Because the Swarnamukhi river is settled in Tirupati, it comes under a part of the Tirupati urban development division.
Srikalahasti temple is so close to the world-famous temple Sri Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam with a distance of 38kms and can reach Nellore in 2 hours of the journey, which covers 97kms.
Temples uniqueness & highlights
It is known as one of the largest temples in the world, this temple emerges with numbers of gods in one place.
While entering from the east entrance of the temple, the devotees first worship the Pathala Ganapathi God and then continue to pray to the rest of the Gods located in the temple.
The devotees visit the lord Sri Gnana Prasanammba Devi facing east and Srikalahastiwara Swamy facing west.
Usually, the devotees worship gods at their feet. Still, the bhakta Kannappa who sacrificed his eyes for Lord Shiva, has a temple on top of the hill, where the Srikalahasti temple builds at the foot of that hill due to his generosity, the lord shiva in Srikalahasti also named “Bhakta Vallabha Swamy”.
In no other place in the country except in Srikalahasti, Sri Subramaniya Swamy is named “Sree Valli devasena sametha chengalva rayudu”.
Sahasra Nama Mandapam is another highlight in the Srikalahasti temple. Nowhere except in this mandapam we can see the sky by standing in the unique point directions built. We can see the Srikalahasti Swami Shikaram , Sri Prasanambha Devi Shikaram and Bhakta Kannappa Shikar.
Architecture
All the above describe the greatness of the temple’s architect, which is designed by Rajendra Chola I.
The Legendary king “Sri Krishna Devaraya” has constructed The Main Goprum and 100 Pillar Mandapam.
These distinctive features make this one of the outstanding temples and prompt people to know about it as much as possible.
Read More : How to Reach Sri Prasanna Venkateshwara Swamy Temple from Tirupati
