Srikalahasthi temple, Sri Gnanaprasunambika Devi Temple, Srikalahasti, Srikalahasteeswara swamy temple |Srikalahasthi temple, Sri Gnanaprasunambika Devi Temple, Srikalahasti, Srikalahasteeswara swamy temple
Srikalahasti ( శ్రీకాళహస్తి ) is a place of Hindu pilgrimage with a temple here dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located at 36 km from Tirupati, 578km from Hyderabad and 326 km from Vijayawada, Srikalahasti is a town in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh.
Srikalahasti is a holy town and a municipality 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. It is also informally referred to as Kalahasti. Recently,it has been included in the TUDA (Tirupati Urban Development Authority) region.
Srikalahasti Temple ( శ్రీకాళహస్తి ఆలయం )
It is one of the important ancient Shiva Kshetras (Shiva Temples) of South India. The temple occupies the area between the river bank and the foot of the hills and is popularly known as Dakshina Kailasam. The three lofty Gopurams of the temple are remarkable for their architecture. This temple was built during the period of King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar. A huge hundred pillared mantapam is another important feature of this shrine.
It is one of the ancient temples included in the Hindu pilgrimages and the site of a famous Shiva temple with magnificent gopurams and is fairly close to the famous hill temple of Lord Venkateshwara at Tirupati, one of the richest and famous temple cities in the world. It is also the origin of the popular textile painting art called kalamkari.
Legend of SriKalahasthi Temple
The name of the place comes from three animals, Sri (spider), Kala (snake) and Hasti (elephant) who worshipped Shiva and gained salvation here. A statue that shows all three animals is situated in the main shrine.
The Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana and Linga Purnas have a mention about Srikalahasti. The Skanda Purana says that Arjuna visited this place, worshipped Kalahastiswara and met the sage Bharadwaja on the top of the hill. It is believed that Kannappa (also known as Bhakta Kannappa), a tribal devotee has worshipped Siva at Srikalahasti. Tamil saints Nayanars like Appar , Sundarar and Sambanthar praised the deity in their hyms tevaram.
Brahma, the Hindu God of creation, is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva and bathed in the swarnamukhi river to get rid of "sisuhathya patakam" (the sin of killing children).
The river Swarnamukhi got its name from a belief that gold was found in its stream. Swarna means gold and Swarnamukhi means gold faced in Sanskrit.
The sukabrahmashrama was established by a noted scholar (equally well versed in Sanskrit and English) called Sri Vidya Prakasananda Giri Swamy. He is known for his knowledge on Hindu philosophy. He delivered many talks on Hindu Dharma. His short stories are much talked about among the folklore. The main characterestic of his stories is the lucidity in style that makes the essence of the story understandable, even to a layman.
The famous Puttalamma temple which is located in Thondamanadu (Near Srikalahasti) and the Perumal temple has been recently acquired by TTD. This temple was built by Thondaman Chakravarthi (King of Thondamanadu), one can find some antique items there.
The Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana and Linga Purnas have a mention about Srikalahasti. The Skanda Purana says that Arjuna visited this place, worshipped Kalahastiswara and met the sage Bharadwaja on the top of the hill. It is believed that Kannappa (also known as Bhakta Kannappa), a tribal devotee has worshipped Siva at Srikalahasti. Tamil saints Nayanars like Appar , Sundarar and Sambanthar praised the deity in their hyms tevaram.
Brahma, the Hindu God of creation, is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva and bathed in the swarnamukhi river to get rid of "sisuhathya patakam" (the sin of killing children).
The river Swarnamukhi got its name from a belief that gold was found in its stream. Swarna means gold and Swarnamukhi means gold faced in Sanskrit.
The sukabrahmashrama was established by a noted scholar (equally well versed in Sanskrit and English) called Sri Vidya Prakasananda Giri Swamy. He is known for his knowledge on Hindu philosophy. He delivered many talks on Hindu Dharma. His short stories are much talked about among the folklore. The main characterestic of his stories is the lucidity in style that makes the essence of the story understandable, even to a layman.
The famous Puttalamma temple which is located in Thondamanadu (Near Srikalahasti) and the Perumal temple has been recently acquired by TTD. This temple was built by Thondaman Chakravarthi (King of Thondamanadu), one can find some antique items there.
History of Sri Kalahasthi 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 who visit daily to have darshan of the almighty Sri Kalahastiswara and Sri Gnanaprasunambika Devi to have blessings. Sri Kalahasteeswara showers grace to wipe out the sins and obstacles of devotees. Seers and sages worshipped lord Srikalahasteeswara and praised with hymns.
Sri Adi Sankara visited this kshetra and praised the bhakti of Kannappa in his Sivanandalahari.
The historical reference to this temple occur in the works of Nakkeerar, a Tamil poet in 3rd Century BC during the Tamil Sangam Dynasty. He called it as Southern Kailash.Nakkeera composed hundred stanzas to praise Srikalahasteeswara. Dhoorjati a Telugu poet native of this place and one among the ashtadiggajas of Sri Krishnadevaraya’s court composed hundred stanzas on Sri Halahasteeswara.
It is one of the panchabhoota sthalam - representing five basic elements. This is the Vayu Sthalam among the Pancha Bootha Sthalams representing Air. The others are - Tiruvannamalai (Thejo sthalam - Fire) Kanchipuram (Prithvi sthalam - Earth) Tiruvanaikavil (Appu sthalam - Water) Chidambaram (Akasa sthalam - Space).
Legend has it that Lord Shiva disguised as Vayu (Air) observed that The Spider (SRI), Cobra (KALA) and Elephant (HASTI) worshipped Him very devotedly. So Lord Shiva made them to relieve from the curse and attain salvation, hence this place is called SRIKALAHASTI.
One hunter by name Thinna worshiped Lord Shiva and attained salvation
Sri Gnanaprasoonambika Devi, consort of Sri Kalahasteeswara bestows divya gyan to the devotees.
The marvelous temple architecture is representing Chola, Pallava, pandya and Krishnadevaraya style of architecture.
One siva bhaktha sikhamani named Ramanathan chettiar from Tamil Nadu had spent 9 lacs to renovate and performed kumbhabhishekam in 1912.
As a gift, of almighty he attained siva sayujyam (moksha) on the next day of maha sivarathri
Worshipping Sri Kalahasteeswara results in dispelling all worldly miseries and attaining marvelous spiritual happiness.
According to the scriptures, the Kshetra is praised as Dakshina Kailasam, Dakshina Kashi, Satya vrata Maha bhaskara kshethram, Sadyomukthi kshetram and also Rahu-Kethu Parihara Kshethram.
Many more Tamil Saivite saints like Sambandar, Appar, Manikkavasagar, Sundaramurti, Pattinathar and Sri Ramalinga Swami of Vadalur have also visited this place.
The hill adjacent to temple has still carvings in Pallava style. The Cholas renovated the old Pallava temple in 11th century. Kulottunga Chola I constructed the Galigopuram, the main entrance facing south and Kulottunga Chola III constructed few other temples. In 12th Century A.D., King Veeranarasimha Yadavaraya built the present Prakaras, and the four Gopurams connecting the four entrances. According an inscription of Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara empire dating back to 1516 A.D., he constructed the Hundred Pillared Mantapam and the other tall Galigopuram that faces west to east. In 1529 A.D., King Achutaraya of the Vijayanagara empire got his coronation performed here, before he celebrated in his capital City. The Natukottai Chettiars of Devakottai gave the final shape to the temple in 1912 by donating then around nine lakhs of rupees.
Sri Adi Sankara visited this kshetra and praised the bhakti of Kannappa in his Sivanandalahari.
The historical reference to this temple occur in the works of Nakkeerar, a Tamil poet in 3rd Century BC during the Tamil Sangam Dynasty. He called it as Southern Kailash.Nakkeera composed hundred stanzas to praise Srikalahasteeswara. Dhoorjati a Telugu poet native of this place and one among the ashtadiggajas of Sri Krishnadevaraya’s court composed hundred stanzas on Sri Halahasteeswara.
It is one of the panchabhoota sthalam - representing five basic elements. This is the Vayu Sthalam among the Pancha Bootha Sthalams representing Air. The others are - Tiruvannamalai (Thejo sthalam - Fire) Kanchipuram (Prithvi sthalam - Earth) Tiruvanaikavil (Appu sthalam - Water) Chidambaram (Akasa sthalam - Space).
Legend has it that Lord Shiva disguised as Vayu (Air) observed that The Spider (SRI), Cobra (KALA) and Elephant (HASTI) worshipped Him very devotedly. So Lord Shiva made them to relieve from the curse and attain salvation, hence this place is called SRIKALAHASTI.
One hunter by name Thinna worshiped Lord Shiva and attained salvation
Sri Gnanaprasoonambika Devi, consort of Sri Kalahasteeswara bestows divya gyan to the devotees.
The marvelous temple architecture is representing Chola, Pallava, pandya and Krishnadevaraya style of architecture.
One siva bhaktha sikhamani named Ramanathan chettiar from Tamil Nadu had spent 9 lacs to renovate and performed kumbhabhishekam in 1912.
As a gift, of almighty he attained siva sayujyam (moksha) on the next day of maha sivarathri
Worshipping Sri Kalahasteeswara results in dispelling all worldly miseries and attaining marvelous spiritual happiness.
According to the scriptures, the Kshetra is praised as Dakshina Kailasam, Dakshina Kashi, Satya vrata Maha bhaskara kshethram, Sadyomukthi kshetram and also Rahu-Kethu Parihara Kshethram.
Many more Tamil Saivite saints like Sambandar, Appar, Manikkavasagar, Sundaramurti, Pattinathar and Sri Ramalinga Swami of Vadalur have also visited this place.
The hill adjacent to temple has still carvings in Pallava style. The Cholas renovated the old Pallava temple in 11th century. Kulottunga Chola I constructed the Galigopuram, the main entrance facing south and Kulottunga Chola III constructed few other temples. In 12th Century A.D., King Veeranarasimha Yadavaraya built the present Prakaras, and the four Gopurams connecting the four entrances. According an inscription of Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara empire dating back to 1516 A.D., he constructed the Hundred Pillared Mantapam and the other tall Galigopuram that faces west to east. In 1529 A.D., King Achutaraya of the Vijayanagara empire got his coronation performed here, before he celebrated in his capital City. The Natukottai Chettiars of Devakottai gave the final shape to the temple in 1912 by donating then around nine lakhs of rupees.
Other places to Visit near Temple Premises/ Srikalahasthi
Sri Durga Temple - Hillock, North from temple
Sri Subrahmanya Temple - Hillock, East from temple
Sri Kannappa Temple - Hillock, South from temple
Sri Pancha Mukeswara Temple - Adjacent to Main TempleSouth from temple
Sri Dakshina kali Temple - Aprox. 06 kmSouth from temple
Sri Veyi Lingala Kona (Hills) - Aprox. 08 kmSouth from temple
Sri Neelakanteswara swami Temple - Urandur, 1.5 km form Railway station
Gudi Mallam - Aprox. 20 kmSouth from temple
Thala Kona - Aprox. 120 kmWest from temple(Via Tirupati)
Pallikondeswara Swamy Temple - Aprox. 100 kmEast from temple( Via Nagalapuram )
Sri Subrahmanya Temple - Hillock, East from temple
Sri Kannappa Temple - Hillock, South from temple
Sri Pancha Mukeswara Temple - Adjacent to Main TempleSouth from temple
Sri Dakshina kali Temple - Aprox. 06 kmSouth from temple
Sri Veyi Lingala Kona (Hills) - Aprox. 08 kmSouth from temple
Sri Neelakanteswara swami Temple - Urandur, 1.5 km form Railway station
Gudi Mallam - Aprox. 20 kmSouth from temple
Thala Kona - Aprox. 120 kmWest from temple(Via Tirupati)
Pallikondeswara Swamy Temple - Aprox. 100 kmEast from temple( Via Nagalapuram )
Religious Attractions:
Viswanatha temple
Kannappa temple on a hill
The Manikarnika temple
Two wells called Surya Pushkarani and Chandra Pushkarani
The Suryanarayana temple
The Vijaya Ganapathi temple ('kondamitta')
Baradhwaja thirtham (Nandanavanam or 'lobavi')
The Krishandevaraya Mantapa, the Jalakoti Mantapa and the Palagar Mantapa etc. are all situated close by
Sri Sukabrahmaashramam
Veyyalingala kona (the valley of the thousand lingas)
Durgambha Temple on a hill
Subramanya Swamy temple on a hill
Ponnalamma temple (Panagal)
Ankamma temple (Near Main Bus Stand)
Dharmarajula Temple (Madras Road)
Dakshina Kali Temple (Vaedam)
Sri Neelakanteswara Temple URANDUR (1.5 KM from Railwaystation)
Sri Perumaallu Swamy Temple URANDUR (1.5 KM from Railwaystation)
Sri Panduranga Swamy temple (Muchivolu)
SaiBaba Temple (Madras Road)
Perumal Swamy Temple (Near Srikalahasti, Thondamanadu)
Puttalamma Temple (Near Srikalahasti, Thondamanadu)
Bathinaiah Hill Temple (Near Mucilipedu, Srikalahasti)
Varadharaja Swamy temple
Kannappa temple on a hill
The Manikarnika temple
Two wells called Surya Pushkarani and Chandra Pushkarani
The Suryanarayana temple
The Vijaya Ganapathi temple ('kondamitta')
Baradhwaja thirtham (Nandanavanam or 'lobavi')
The Krishandevaraya Mantapa, the Jalakoti Mantapa and the Palagar Mantapa etc. are all situated close by
Sri Sukabrahmaashramam
Veyyalingala kona (the valley of the thousand lingas)
Durgambha Temple on a hill
Subramanya Swamy temple on a hill
Ponnalamma temple (Panagal)
Ankamma temple (Near Main Bus Stand)
Dharmarajula Temple (Madras Road)
Dakshina Kali Temple (Vaedam)
Sri Neelakanteswara Temple URANDUR (1.5 KM from Railwaystation)
Sri Perumaallu Swamy Temple URANDUR (1.5 KM from Railwaystation)
Sri Panduranga Swamy temple (Muchivolu)
SaiBaba Temple (Madras Road)
Perumal Swamy Temple (Near Srikalahasti, Thondamanadu)
Puttalamma Temple (Near Srikalahasti, Thondamanadu)
Bathinaiah Hill Temple (Near Mucilipedu, Srikalahasti)
Varadharaja Swamy temple
How to Reach Srikalahasti Temple
The nearest airport is about 20 km from here at Renigunta, the Tirupati Airport. It is reachable by road from Tirupati, Chennai or Gudur. It is on the Renigunta-Gudur section of Guntakal (GTL) Division of the South Central Railway (SCR). All trains from Vijayawada to Tirupati halt at Kalahasti.
Sri Kalahasthi is connected to the state capital Hyderabad (HYD) by the following trains:
Tirupati-Adilabad Krishna Express
Tirupati-Secunderabad Narayanadri Express
Tirupati-Secunderabad Padmavathy Express
Thiruvananthapuram Central-Hyderabad Sabari Express
The local transport is by taxis or autorickshaws and city buses. Shuttle buses between Tirupathi and Srikalahasti run every 10 mins.
Andhra Pradesh State owned Bus services (APSRTC) are available from Tirupati central bus station, at a frequency of 10 minutes and other tour operators provide religious tour package visits to the temple in Srikalahasti from the City centre at Tirupati. Taxicabs are also available from Tirupati.
Sri Kalahasthi is connected to the state capital Hyderabad (HYD) by the following trains:
Tirupati-Adilabad Krishna Express
Tirupati-Secunderabad Narayanadri Express
Tirupati-Secunderabad Padmavathy Express
Thiruvananthapuram Central-Hyderabad Sabari Express
The local transport is by taxis or autorickshaws and city buses. Shuttle buses between Tirupathi and Srikalahasti run every 10 mins.
Andhra Pradesh State owned Bus services (APSRTC) are available from Tirupati central bus station, at a frequency of 10 minutes and other tour operators provide religious tour package visits to the temple in Srikalahasti from the City centre at Tirupati. Taxicabs are also available from Tirupati.
Tags: Srikalahasthi temple, Srikalahasteeswara swamy temple,
Srikalahasthi, Srikalahasteeswara swamy temple, Srikalahasti temple, Sri Gnanaprasunambika Devi Temple, Srikalahasti
Thank you for visiting, Have a question ? Contact us by providing your valuable comments.
Please leave your comments below and let others know your feel....
Please leave your comments below and let others know your feel....
Please Share with :
0 comments:
Post a Comment