Temple , Myth, Legends & Importance Of Pooja in Srikalahasti

The spiritual aura can be experienced even before one reaches the temple area. The whole of Chittoor, like other cities in South India, is draped with culture and hues of tradition. Imbued with myths and folklore, Srikalahasti is the abode of Lord Shiva who resides here in the form flickering lamp. Srikalahasteesvara Devasthanam is a one of the Panchabhoota Shivasthala, where Shiva is propitiated as air. The temple is located in Chittoor, 36 km from the temple town of Tirupati, and is also decked with Venkatchala Hills and many other temples nearby. There are legends and epics associated with the history and significance of the temple.

Legend 1: The temple derived its name “Srikalahasti” in conjunction of three creatures namely, Sri (spider), Kala (serpent) and Hasti (elephant), who showed intense devotion to the Lord Shiva. As goes the saying, Urnanabha, the son of the Vishwakarma, Hindu god of the architect, was a sculptor par excellence and emulated all creations of Brahma. Ireful Brahma, cursed Urnanbha to born as a mortal in the form of Spider on earth and said that he would free of the curse only when he offers prayers to Shiva at Dakshina Kailasam. Similarly, Kala, the snake was evicted to earth on being delayed in his return from Scheole to Shiva. Hasti, the elephant attendant of Shiva and his consort Parvati, was sentenced to live life on earth for his mistake of pervading the privacy of its masters. The three creatures were freed from the curse and granted liberation on worshipping Lord Shiva at Dakshin Kailasam. As said, the Spider (Sri) built web over the lingam, Kala (serpent) adorned it with gem, Hasti (elephant) washed the lingam with its trunk with water from Swarnmukhi River in the intense adoration of god as well as penance for their mistakes. The intense idolatry of the three creatures delighted the Lord and he appeared in person to bless them. On seeing Lord Shiva, the three creatures expressed their desire that the placed be named after them. Henceforth, the temple was named as Sri (Spider), Kala (Snake) and Hasti (Elephant). Even today the lingam has obvious marks on it that correlate the legend to the statue, thereby, rewarding of the strong belief of devotees. Interestingly, the temple land site is also the same place where Sati’s skull fell, henceforth, marking the spot as one of the 51 Shaktipeeths.

Legend 2: There is another version of the legend mentioning the facts about the temple. In a yet another legend of Srikalahasti, Saint Kannappa, offered both his eyes to the deity. A hunter by occupation and staunch devotee at heart, Bhakt Kannappa, offered both of his eyes to the deity on seeing the profusely bleeding eyes of idol. The saint was who was an ardent disciple of Shiva use to offer his everyday hunt to god. One day, while offering his hunt, he saw that the eyes of the deity were bleeding. In an extreme state of helplessness, Kannappa pulled his own eyes and fixed it on statue’s place. The saint’s devotional sacrifice contented the deity and Lord Shiva appeared granting salvation to Bhakt Kannappa.

Srikalahasti Temple deity is said to emit miraculous power where during such occasion a women was relieved of evil spirits on having a darshan of deity

Srikalahasti is an ancient religious place dating back to 3rd and 4th century AD, oft-quoted and adverted in the Hindu text and mythology. The temple at Srikalahasti is regarded as one of the prominent temples of South India. This is in fact considered as the Kailash of the South or Dakshina Kailasa. The protector of devotees, the granter of boons, the merciful and three-eyed Lord Shiva is known to manifest himself in the form of Vayu Linga, in the Bilwaka grove on the bank of river Suvarnamukhi. Interestingly, the greatness and significance of the temple is mentioned in the Sivapurana in the course of a profound discussion Sri Romasharan Maharishi and Sri Bhardwaja Maharishi.

Historically speaking, the exact account of Srikalahasti can be only found in Skanda Puranas (the holy book of Hindu), stutis (religious hymns) and in many other

raw manuscripts of 3rd century AD. Most of these unlisted scholarly manuscripts were written in Telegu and Sanskrit on palm and banana leaves which are being translated and preserved today. Readers can enjoy the privilege of reading the texts online as many of these manuscripts are being translated into e-books and hard cover books.

The heavenly abode of Lord Shiva, a visit to Srikalahasti, as said, grants moksha (salvation) setting the pilgrims free from all temporal sin. The puranas state Srikalahasti Temple as a punyakhetra (pious place) where Arjuna worshipped and received blessings of Lord Shiva, during his tirth yatra (pilgrimage). Arjuna also visited Sage Bhradwaja, on Kailasa Hills, and had a great opportunity of hearing the sthlamahatmya (importance of the shrine) and sacred tale of Swarnmukhi River, through the sage.

Importance of Dakshina Kailasam: According to the legend, Lord Bramha was asked by the Lord to create beautiful and enticing hills of Kailasa. As Bramha was struggling with the task, a piece fell on earth and in the south and thus called as Dakshina Kailasam. Then onwards, Shiva chose to reside there as Vayulingam. And Lord Shiva is said to reside in the temple in the form of Vayu Linga to fulfill the desires of his devotees. Blessing his ardent devotees with his presence, Lord Shiva at Sri Kalahasti is a manifestation of truth and extreme devotion.

River Swarnamukhi: Also, known as Suvarnmukhi River and Uttara Vahini, River Swarnamukhi has a rich background and fair number of mentions in puranas and mythological epics. As cited in the Puranas, the river was brought on earth from heaven by Sage Agasthya. It is a perennial river with a unique feature of flowing from south to north. As believed and stated in the Puranas, River Swarnmukhi has healing properties. According to the shlokas, Koorma Puranam, the linga faces westward and the nearby Suvarnmukhi River flows to the north of Srikalahasti. It is the purifying and cleansing essence has lent a great importance to the temple. As the riverbanks on the either side are densely populated by pine bushes, known as mogaleru in Telegu. This is why the temple is also called Mogaleswara. As a part of history, it is said that the workers, those who were ordered to get sand from the riverbed of the river for the construction of the temple, found gold coins in the depth of the gurgling river. Folklore has it that Nakkeera of yore cured himself of leprosy by bathing in the river. The importance of this can also be gauged from a social custom of immersing the deceased ashes into the river water liberate the souls of the ancestors.

Aspects related to Goddess Gnana Prasunambika: The statue of Goddess Gnanaprasunambika is of great importance to the disciples and pilgrims visiting the temple. Known as bestower of luck and knowledge, Goddess Gnanaparsumbika represents Jalandhara (upper half) of the body. Of the 108 Shakti Peeths, the sacred spot of Gnanaprasunambika signifies an important aspect of spirituality in Hinduism. According to the legends and myths it is said that the Goddess is a representation of Sanatanlakshmi. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu created 108 sacred spots devoted Shakti with the help of his Sudarshan Chakra. When Satidevi sacrifised her body during the Yajna, Lord Vishnu divided the body in 108 parts and those spots where it fell were considered sacred spiritual parts. The skull fell here at Srikalahasti Temple.