History and Religious Importance of SriKalahasteeswara Temple

SriKalahasti Temple is esteemed as one of the Pancha Bhoota Kshetram and the presiding deity Sri Kalahasteeswara is worshipped as Vayu lingam. SriKalahasti Temple is also considered as "Kashi of the South". This is the only temple in India which remains open during Lunar and Solar Eclipse times. SriKalahasti temple is also famous for Rahu-Ketu Pooja. 

Srikalahasteeswara Swamy and Gnana Prasoonambika

According to the legend Srikalahasteeswara Swamy was worshipped at Srikalahasti by Lord Brahma during all the four yugas. During Mahabharatha Time Arjuna of Pandavas is believed to have worshipped the Srikalahasteeswara deity. Bhaktha Kannappa,the famous devotee of Lord Shiva is also associated with this temple. The temple is also admired in Tevaram , one of the 275 temples which was mentioned in the Saiva canon and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

According to legend Once Vayu and Adisesha had a dispute to find who is auperior among two. To prove the superiority Adisesha surrounded entire Kailasam. Vayu tried to remove this bound by creating Twister. Because of this Twister 8 parts of Kailasam fell into 8 different places. These places are Srikalahasti, Rajathagiri, Ratnagiri, Neerthagiri, Suwethagiri,Trincomalee ,Thirupangeeli and Thiruchiramalai.

Srikalahasti temple follows Salvite Tradition.Maha Shivaratri is the most important festival which are celebrated for 13 days along with Sri swamyvari Brahmotsavams. Utsava Murthies of Lord Shiva and Parvati will be taken in Vahanams around the temple streets. Lakhs of devotees will offer prayers to seek the blessings of the Lord.

The 15th Century iconic Rajagopuram built by Sri Krishnadevaraya was collapsed on 26th May 2010. The Reconstructed Rajagopuram was opened on 18th January 2017 at the same location in the original form.