Sri Kalahasti Temple sits 36 km east-northeast of Tirupati in the Sri Kalahasti town of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is one of the five Pancha Bhuta Lingas — the five Shiva-lingas representing the five great elements. Sri Kalahasti is the Vayu Lingam (the Air-linga); the others are: Earth (Ekambareswarar at Kanchipuram), Water (Jambukeswarar at Tiruvanaikaval), Fire (Arunachaleswarar at Tiruvannamalai), and Space (Nataraja at Chidambaram). The Sri Kalahasti linga is held to be perpetually animated by the wind — pilgrims approaching the sanctum observe that the oil-lamp flames before the linga always flicker, sometimes shifting direction, even in the still inner-temple air.
The temple's name comes from three devotees who attained moksha here: Sri (a spider), Kala (a snake), and Hasti (an elephant). Tradition tells that each of these creatures, in great devotion to Shiva, became liberated at this very spot — and the temple commemorates their bhakti. Sri Kalahasti is also unique in India for being the principal location for Rahu-Ketu Pujas — the astrological remedial rites performed for those affected by the lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu in their birth charts.
The Rahu-Ketu tradition
Rahu and Ketu are the two malefic shadow-planets of Hindu astrology; their adverse position in a birth chart is held to cause delays, obstacles, separations, and unexpected challenges. Sri Kalahasti is held by Vedic astrological tradition to be the supreme remedial-site for Rahu-Ketu doshas. Daily, hundreds of pilgrims come specifically for the Rahu-Ketu Puja — a 2-3 hour rite performed by temple Pandits with prescribed mantras, herbs, and offerings. The temple is the most renowned centre in India for this specific astrological remedy, conducted here with full Vedic authority.
Sri Kalahasti is the Vayu-element seat of Pancha Bhuta worship and one of the most revered Shiva temples of south India. The Pancha Bhuta circuit — visiting all five element-lingas — is the supreme Shaiva aspiration of south India; pilgrims completing the circuit are held to receive blessings encompassing all five great elements that make up the world. Sri Kalahasti also represents the unification of Shaiva and astrological traditions; pilgrims from across India come specifically for Rahu-Ketu remedial rites that are unavailable in such direct form elsewhere.
చరిత్ర
Sri Kalahasti Temple's antiquity reaches back at least to the 7th century — the Nayanmar saints of the Tamil bhakti tradition praised the shrine. The present principal structure dates from the Chola and Vijayanagara periods (10th-16th centuries); the seven gopurams (gateway-towers) were added under successive royal patronage. The temple is managed today by the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department; the Pandit family lineages for Rahu-Ketu Pujas trace back several generations.
వాస్తుశిల్పం
The temple is built in Dravida style with seven gopurams, multiple prakaras, and the principal Shiva-linga in the central sanctum. The Vayu-linga itself is a white-stone linga with the oil-lamp arrangement that demonstrates the perpetual wind-animation. Adjoining shrines include Gnana Prasunamba Devi (Shiva's consort), Subramanya, Ganesha, and the special Rahu-Ketu puja-hall.
ఆచారాలు & పూజలు
The temple opens around 6 AM and closes around 9:30 PM with five daily aartis. The Rahu-Ketu Pujas are conducted in a separate hall during specific kalams (auspicious time periods) — typically four to six slots daily. The puja takes 2-3 hours and includes samkalpa, mantra recitation, herbal offerings, and a final abhishek. Pilgrims book the puja in advance through the temple counter or through approved travel agencies.
The traditional sequence: arrive at Sri Kalahasti from Tirupati or Chennai, do darshan of the Vayu-linga, book the Rahu-Ketu puja for an appropriate kalam, complete the puja, depart. Many pilgrims combine Sri Kalahasti with Tirumala in a 2-day Tirupati yatra.
పండుగలు & ఉత్సవాలు
| పండుగ | ఎప్పుడు | రద్దీ |
|---|---|---|
| Mahashivratri | — | very_high |
| Karthika Masam | — | high |
| Rahu Kalam days | — | high |
| Pancha Bhuta circuit | — | moderate |
Mahashivratri: The supreme Shaiva night.
Karthika Masam: Month-long Shiva-bhakti.
Rahu Kalam days: Astrological remedial rites.
Pancha Bhuta circuit: The Pancha Bhuta yatra tradition.
Prepare for Your Visit
Practical guidance to help you plan your pilgrimage
| Pilgrim Guidance | How to reachSri Kalahasti is 36 km from Tirupati (45 minutes by car) and 110 km from Chennai (3 hours). The town has its own railway station with connections to Tirupati and Chennai. The temple is in the centre of the town. PreparationFor Rahu-Ketu Puja: bring your birth-chart (a printed copy showing Rahu-Ketu positions) and photo ID. The puja requires both pilgrim and spouse if married. Wear traditional clothes (men: dhoti; women: sari). Carry a small offering of jaggery and til (sesame) for the rite. Best time to visitOctober to March most pleasant. Mahashivratri is the supreme spiritual peak. Rahu Kalam days (typically Mondays-Saturdays in specific time-windows) bring extra Rahu-Ketu puja flow. |
ప్రదేశం
Tirupati, AP
యాత్రికుల ఫోటోలు
ఇంకా యాత్రికుల ఫోటోలు లేవు.
భక్తుల సవరణలు
ఇంకా సవరణలు లేవు.
సవరణల చరిత్ర
ఇంకా సవరణలు లేవు.
శ్రీ కాళహస్తి సందర్శనను ప్లాన్ చేయండి
మీ ప్రయాణానికి ప్రత్యేక ప్రణాళిక, ధరలు పొందండి.
సిఫార్సు చేయబడింది
ఈ క్షేత్రానికి ప్యాకేజీలు
బెంగళూరు నుండి తిరుపతి బాలాజీ యాత్ర — 2 రోజుల్లో తిరుమల, పద్మావతి
తిరుపతి బాలాజీ యాత్ర — ప్రీమియం 3 రోజులు, హైదరాబాద్ నుండి
ఢిల్లీ నుండి తిరుపతి బాలాజీ ప్రీమియం యాత్ర — 4 రోజులు
చెన్నై నుండి తిరుపతి బాలాజీ యాత్ర — 1 రోజు
Pilgrim Notes
On-ground observations from fellow pilgrims
No pilgrim notes yet. Be the first to share on-ground observations!
Sign in to share a note.
Pilgrim Reviews
Be the first to share your experience at శ్రీ కాళహస్తి.
Sign in to write a review.
సమీప పుణ్యక్షేత్రాలు
శ్రీ కాళహస్తి దగ్గరున్న ఇతర పుణ్యక్షేత్రాలను చూడండి
APలోని ఆలయాలు, తీర్థాలు, పుణ్యక్షేత్రాలను చూడండి
సమీపంలో చూడండిఈ యాత్రా మార్గాలలో భాగం
ఈ క్షేత్రం భాగమైన సంప్రదాయ యాత్రా మార్గాలలో నడవండి.