Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Ekadashi Vaikunta Ekadasi Celebrated On January 7th 2009

Vaikuntha Ekadashi Vishnu

Vaikunta Ekadasi Celebrated On January 7th 2009..

The most important festival of the year especially for Vaishnavites all over the world is VaiKunta Ekadasi which is an important festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the Tamil Month ofMargazhi (Dhanur Masam) which falls on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009.

Vaikunda Ekadasi festival is of great significance at the Tirupati Balaji Temple at Tirumala, Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Temple and at the Bhadrachalam Temple.

The significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi can be traced back to the Padma Purana. The Purana indicates that Lord Vishnu took the form of “Ekadasi” – female energy – to kill demon Muran. This happened during the month of Margazhi. Impressed by “Ekadasi,” Lord Vishnu told her that whoever worships him on this day will reach “Vaikunta”.

It is said that the Divine Gates to the heaven open - the Gate of Vaikuntha - on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day. It is one of the most auspicious days in Lord Vishnu Temples in South India .

The “Vaikunta Dwaram” or “the gate to the heaven” is opened on this day. This is the passage encircling the innermost sanctum of the Lord. Scores of devotees queue up to pass through the Gate of Vaikunta in the temples.

Sri RANGANATHASWAMY Temple, Srirangam, Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations in Srirangam in Tamil Nadu - foremost of Vaishanvite Shrines, lasts 21 days and is divided into two parts of pagal pathu (morning part) and Ira pathu (night part). Lord Vishnu as Lord Ranganatha is adorned is an armor of diamonds (rathnaangi) and is brought to the Thousand-Pillared Hall from the sanctum sanatorium through the northern gate known as Paramapada Vasal, the gate to the heaven. This gate is opened once in a year, only on the Vaikuntha Ekadasi day.

TIRUMALA Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh also has a similar concept. Thirumala has a special entrance called Vaikunta Dwaram that encircles the sanctum sanatorium. The dwaram (passage) is opened only on Vaikunta Ekadasi and it is believed that any person who passes through this `Vaikunta Dwaram’ on this particular day attains salvation. The temple witnesses heavy inflow of pilgrims and dignitaries for Vaikunta Ekadasi. There will be a sea of people at Tirumala in the first week of January every year.

BHADRACHALA RAMA TEMPLE in Andhra pradesh on the banks of Godavari river which is unique Sri Rama temple where Sri Rama is seen with four arms and Sita Ma sitting on His left lap. Vaikunta Ekadasi is also celebrated here in the grandest fashion. Those of you who would like to know about Bhaja Govindam in detail, please click the link below to read or recite Bhaja Govindham on the sacred day of Vaikunta Ekadasi : Link.

Those of you who are busy people can watch about 11 minutes to watch, listen & English meaning of Bhaja Govindham by no other than the Legend, The Queen of Carnataka Music, Late MS SubbaLakshmi (MS Amma) is a delight to our eyes and ears on this holy Vaikunta Ekadasi Day is a MUST. Please click the link below to enjoy during the two hours of the Maha Yajnam on January 7th : Link.

It is also highly desirable to recite or listen Sri Vishnu Sahasra Namam on Vaikunta Ekadasi especially during the 2 hours of Maha Yajnam on January 7th by clicking the link below : Link.

And finally for those devotees who are keen to recite all the 1000 names and their English meaning during Vaikunta Ekadasi, please click the link to recite : Link.

Let us all Celebrate this wonderful Vaikunta Ekadashi day by Praying to Our Beloved Lord Sai to grant us the strength to spread His Divine Mission and Message to many of other parts of the world.

Om Sai Ram
Source: from the Internet

Vaikunta Ekadashi (alt: Vaikunta Ekadasi - Vaikuntha Ekadasi - Vaikuntha Ekadashi) is the Ekadashi that occurs in the Hindu calendar month of Marghazhi or Margashira or Margasirsa (corresponding to late December - January in English calendar). Vaishnavism (Worship of Lord Vishnu) culture believes that ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to Lord’s Inner Sanctum’ is opened on this day. The Margashirsha shukla paksha ekadashi in lunar calendar is known as a ‘Mokshada Ekadashi’. People also know that as a vaikunta ekadashi. However vaikunta ekadashi in Sri Rangam Temple (Tamilnadu) is in the solar margashira month (Margazhi). Special prayers, yagnas, discourses and speeches are arranged at Vishnu temples across the world on this auspicious day.

According to the Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikunta Ekadashi is equivalent to fasting on the remaining 23 Ekadashis of the (Hindu) year.

It is said that Vishnu opened the gate of Vaikuntam (his abode) for two demons although they were against Him. The demons asked for the boon that whomever listens to their story and sees the image of Vishnu coming out of the door (called Vaikunth Dwar) will reach Vaikunth as well! Temples all over the India make door-like structures on this day for devotees to pass through.

According to the Padma Purana, the female energy of Lord Vishnu slew the demon Muran to protect the Devas. Lord Vishnu named her `Ekadashi’ and gave her the benediction that those who worship Her on the day of her victory over Muran would reach `Vaikunth’ (His abode).

In the Mahabarata, Bhagavad Gita - the conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna at the beginning of Kurukshetra War is said to have occurred on this day.

Sathya Sai Baba Speaks About Vaikunta Ekadasi (also known as Amrithodbhavam Day - Mokshada Ekadasi - Nanjunda Ekadasi)
Today is the day when, during the saagara mathana (churning of the ocean), Amritha (nectar) emerged and was distributed to the Gods. The Gods had slid into the calamity of lowering their immortality! Man too is the child of immortality; that is the reason why he cannot force himself into the conviction that he would die.

Resolve on this auspicious day to enter upon the quest of Truth. Uttarayana is Uttama Kala (the best time). For the morning of this day, the great Bhishma waited long on his bed of arrows. On this morning the sun turns north, the direction of the Gods, where Siva resides. The Sun is the deity that controls the eye, the vision of man, and so these six months when the sun is proceeding in the direction of Siva, are very propitious for man to do likewise.

Today, it is also VAIKUNTA EKADASI. Many of you expect Me to go to the Chitravati riverbed and create nectar and give it to all. You have earned the vaag-armitam (nectarine speech), from this discourse, which you can treasure in your minds and act upon. This is the real Heavenly Nectar. Know its worth. Do not allow it to be wasted, garner it to become Godly.

In order to make people understand their real Divine nature, festivals were designed. Today is Vaikunta Ekadasi. What is Vaikunta? “Vaikunta,” as the abode of god, means a place which is changeless. Many things may change in a man, but his heart is changeless. What is meant by Ekadasi? This should not be regarded as some special place or time. The form of Ekadasa Rudra is made up of the five organs of perception, the five organs of action and the mind. Rudra is a resident of the human body, which is full of numerous potencies. Men today are forgetful of these potencies and the divinity that dwells in the heart.

Prachanda does a U-turn, says Indian priests to stay in temple

Kathmandu: Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda on Wednesday buckled under the pressure built up by mass protests and withdrew the Government’s decision to appoint Nepali priests at the Pashupatinath Temple here.

The Prime Minister made a series of announcements in the Constituent Assembly when the House reassembled after 10 days. Various political parties had called for a boycott to lodge their protest against ‘anti-people and anti-national’ decisions of the Government.

Prachanda announced that the Government’s decision to remove Indian priests from the Pashupatinath Temple and appoint Nepali priests in their place has been withdrawn. Indian priests will continue to carry out the day-to-day pujas and rituals here at the temple, he added.

Indian priests had been appointed at Pashupatinath back in the seventh century.

Prachanda’s decision comes in the wake of demands from certain political quarters that his Government be sacked for deliberately defying the Supreme Court issue, which could lead to breakdown in the constitutional machinery. The Government had not just refused to honour the court order staying the appointment of Nepali priests, which was seen as a breach of law and a centuries-old tradition.

Maoist ministers had criticised India for ‘interfering’ in Nepal’s internal affairs. BJP leaders L K Advani and Rajnath Singh and Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh had even launched a protest on the issue.

Shankaracharya of Dwarkpeeth, Swaroopananda Saraswati, had on Tuesday called on the President, demanding safety of Indian priests, the Hindu tradition and the tradition of Lord Pashupatinath.

Prachanda also declared that no step was being taken to remove Chief of Army Staff General R Katawal for having defied a Government order to cease recruitment at the lower level of the army against normal vacancies. Prachanda made this announcement within hours of Gen Katawal’s meeting with Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal (who is also Central Committee member of the Maoist party) to explain that the ongoing regular appointments did not violate the comprehensive peace agreement.

The Prime Minister also renewed his promise to return all property that the Maoists had confiscated from individuals and the Government during the years of insurgency within the next three months. “I have already instructed the district administration to carry out the orders within the stipulated time frame,” he said.

Tirumala set for Vaikunta Ekadasi on today

Tirumala set for Vaikunta Ekadasi on today

TIRUMALA: Wary about the massive influx of pilgrims on the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi festival on Wednesday, the TTD officials would start `Sarva darshan’ for common pilgrims at 3 am itself while VIP pilgrims would be allowed up to 2.45 am for the darshan of Lord Venkateswara.

Emboldened by their experiment on New Year day which led to less congregation of pilgrims, the TTD has decided cancel all arjitha sevas on Wednesday and on Vaikunta Dwadasi festival, the next day. A day ahead of Vaikunta Ekadasi, `Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam (temple cleaning) was performed at the Sri Vari temple. The utsava idols were brought out and `abhishekam’ was performed to the deities as thousands of pilgrims witnessed the celestial ritual.

A V Dharma Reddy, special officer, said bio-metric passes would be issued to pilgrims at Vaikuntam queue complexes I and II to clear the festive rush on both the days.

Sources said the Lord would be taken out in a procession around four mada streets on ’Swarna ratham’ and Asthanam conducted at Ranganayakula mandapam in the evening. On Thursday evening, after the procession of Chakrathalwar to Sri Varaha Swamy temple around four mada streets, `Chakrasnanam’ (celestial bath) would be performed. However, the Thiruppavada seva being conducted on every Thursday would be cancelled on January 8.

Vaikunta Ekadasi in India

Tirumala set for Vaikunta Ekadasi
Times of India, India - 8 hours ago
TIRUMALA: Wary about the massive influx of pilgrims on the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi festival on Wednesday, the TTD officials would start `Sarva darshan' ...
Heavy rush at Tirumala Express Buzz
all 2 news articles »

Hindu

‘Vaikunta Ekadasi’ rituals on website
Hindu, India - 3 Jan 2009
TIRUCHI: The Ranganathaswamy temple management will upload ‘Mohini Alankaram’ and the ‘Vaikunta Ekadasi’ for real-time viewing on the website ...

ISKCON TO CELEBRATE VAIKUNTA EKADASHI
Star of Mysore, India - 22 hours ago
It is said in the Padma Purana that anyone who passes under Vaikunta Dwara on the day of Vaikunta Ekadashi with faith and devotion, attains Vaikunta.

One lakh watch Teppotsavam
Express Buzz, India - 1 hour ago
BHADRACHALAM: As part of the Vaikunta Mukkoti Ekadasi celebrations, Teppotsavam of Lord Sita Rama Swamy in the tastefully decorated and colourfully ...

Govt to distribute laddus as prasadam
Times of India, India - 12 hours ago
Bangalore: On Vaikunta Ekadashi on Tuesday, devotees in Bangalore needn't wait for the Tirupati laddu prasadam. For the first time, the government will ...

No VIP darshans on New Year and Vaikunta Ekadasis, claims TTD
Times of India, India - 29 Dec 2008
During New Year and Vaikuntha Ekadasi celebrations, over two lakh pilgrims visit Tirumala. But what is raising the hackles of the TTD officials is the `man ...
darshan on New Year Day Express Buzz
all 3 news articles »

Friday, January 2, 2009

Kalahasti History in Brief

Srikalahasti

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This article is about Srikalahasti Tirupati. For the temple, see Kalahasti temple.

?Tirupati-Srikalahasti Andhra Pradesh • India
Tirupati-Srikalahasti
Coordinates: 13°46′N 79°42′E / 13.76, 79.7
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
District(s)	Chittoor
Population	1,10,587 (2008^[update])

Coordinates: 13°46′N 79°42′E / 13.76, 79.7 Srikalahasti is a town and a municipality near Tirupati in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the banks of river Swarnamukhi, a tributary to river Pennar. It is also informally referred as Kalahasti.Recently,it has been added in the TUDA (Tirupati Urban Development Authority) region.

It is one of the important ancient Siva kshetras 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 is built in the period of Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar. A huge hundred pillared Mantapam is another important feature of this shrine.

It is one of ancient Hindu piligrimages and the site of a famous Shiva temple with magnificiant gopuras, and adjacent to Tirupati, the richest and famous temple city in the world. It is also the house of popular textile painting art called kalamkari.

[hide]

[edit] Legends

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 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 called 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 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 in Sanskrit and English) called Sri Vidya Prakasananda Giri Swamy. He is known for his knowledge on Hindu philosophy. He delivered so 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 essence of the story understandable even to a layman.

The famous Puttalamma temple which is located in Thondamanadu( Near to Srikalahasti)and also Perumal temple recently acquired in TTD. This temple build by Thondaman chakravarthi (King of Thondamanadu), still you find some of legend items there.

[edit] History

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. Many more Tamil Saivite saints like Sambandar, Appar, Manikkavasagar, Sundaramurti, Pattinathar and Sri Ramalinga Swami of Vadalur have also visited this place.^[1]

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 around nine lakhs of rupees.^[2]

[edit] Geography

Srikalahasti is located at 13°45′N 79°42′E / 13.75, 79.7 on the bank of river Swarnamukhi. It is located 35 km north of Tirupati central. It is one of the assembly constituencies in Chittor District.

[edit] Economy

The town depends on agriculture and tourism. The main crops are paddy, sugar cane and ground nuts. Ground nut was grown extensively that a pathological condition of the crop is found exclusively here, and named as Kalahasti malady. Hundreds of Kalamkari artists also add some revenue. Pilgrims visitng Tirumala temple also visit Kalahasti temple , rendering it many footsteps each day , making it the second famous temple in the state. The sleek and stylish infrastructure of Tirupati is spread till Srikalahasti and they are often regarded as Twin Cities.

[edit] Government

It is located under administration of Chittoor district. It is an MLA Constituency and a Municipality In Andhra Pradesh. It is part of Tirupati constituency in Indian Parliament. The present MLA of this constituency is SCV Naidu(INC).

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[3] Srikalahasti had a population of 1,20,000. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Srikalahasti has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 59%. In Srikalahasti, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. Former President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy was elected from this constituency as an MLA in 1956. Also Bojja Gopal Krishna Reddy got elected from this constituency 3 times

[edit] Transport

The nearest airport is about 20 km at Tirupati Airport, Renigunta. It was reachable by road from Tirupati, Chennai or Gudur.

[edit] Rail Transport

It is on Renigunta-Gudur section of Guntakal(GTL) Division of South Central Railway(SCR). All trains from Vijayawada to Tirupati halt at Kalahasti.

Sri Kalahasthi is connected to the state Capital Hyderabad(HYB) through the following trains 1.Tirupati-Adilabad Krishna Express\n 2.Tirupati-Secunderabad Narayanadri Express 3.Tirupati-Secunderabad Padmavathy Express 4.Thiruvananthapuram Central-Hyderabad Sabari Express.

The local transport is by taxis or autos and city buses. Shuttle buses between Tirupathi and Srikalahasti run every 10 mins.

Andhra Pradesh State owned Bus services are available from Tirupati central at a frequency of 10 minutes and other tour operators provide package visit to the temple in Srikalahasti from the City centre of Tirupati. Taxis are also available from Tirupati central.

[edit] Culture

The people predominantly speak Telugu and can understand English and Tamil. The residents wear both traditional like Dhoti,Lungi and Saree and as well as modern suits and dresses. The city is also famous for kalamkari art, painting on cotton or silk textiles with dyes made from vegetables. The Rahu-ketu sarpa dosha puja is frequently performed activity.

The Telugu poem collection 'Sri Kalahasteeswara Satakam' by Dhurjati explains the traditions associated with this temple during the times of Vijayanagara Empire. Muthuswamy Deekshitar, one of the foremost composers in the Karnatic Music Tradition has sung of this temple in his bhajans 'Sree Kaalahasteesa'. Other works on this temple include the Sree-Kalattipuranam of the three brothers Karunapprakasar, Sivapprakasar and Velappa Deekshitar, Tirukkalattipuranam by Aanandakoottar of Veerainagar and Tirukkalatti Ula by Seraikkavirayar.

While all Hindu festivals are observed, Sivaratri is major festival. The town also celebrates Gangammala Jatara in December every year. The movie threatres are popular entertainment.

[edit] Religious attractions

Temple of Srikalahasteeswara and his consort Gnana Prasunambika Devi.
Viswanatha temple.
Kannappa temple on 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 closes
Sri Sukabrahmaashramam.
Veyyalingala kona (the valley of the thousand lingas).
Durgambha Temple on Hill.
Subramanya swamy temple on Hill.
Ponnalamma temple (Panagal)
Ankamma temple (Near Main Bus Stand)
Dharmarajula Temple (Madras Road)
Dakshina Kali Temple (Vaedam)
Sri Panduranga swami temple (Muchivolu)
SaiBaba Temple (Madras Road)
Perumal swammy Temple (Near Srikalahasti, Thondamanadu )
Puttalamma Templa (Near Srikalahasti, Thondamanadu)
Bathinaiah Hill Temple (Near Mucilipedu, Srikalahasti)
Varadharaja Swammy temple

[edit] Assembly Constituency

Srikalahasti is an assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh.

1952 - A. Balarami Reddy (Indian National Congress)
1953 - N. Sanjeeva Reddy (Indian National Congress)
1955 - P. Singaraiah (Indian National Congress)
1955 - N. Sanjeeva Reddy (Indian National Congress)
1962 - P. Singaraiah (Indian National Congress)
1962 - A. Balarami Reddy (Indian National Congress)
1967 - B. Gangasubarami Reddy (Independent)
1972 - A. Balarami Reddy (Independent)
1974 - A. Dasaradharami Reddy (Indian National Congress)
1978 - V. Subrahmanyam Naidu (Indian National Congress I)
1983 - A. Dasaradharami Reddy (Telugu Desam Party)
1985 - S. MuniRamaiah (Telugu Desam Party)
1988 - T. Chenchu Reddy (Indian National Congress)
1989 - B. Gopala Krishna Reddy (Telugu Desam Party)
1994 - B. Gopala Krishna Reddy (Telugu Desam Party)
1999 - B. Gopala Krishna Reddy (Telugu Desam Party)
2004 - S.C.V.Naidu(Indian National Congress)

[edit] Sports

Cricket is most watched and played sport. Local clubs sponsor annual Lawn Tennis tournaments.

[edit] Media

All major telugu news papers like Eenadu, Vaartha and Sakshi and local magazines like Kalahasti Zone are read, which are published from Tirupati. The district special versions cover Kalahasti news. The popular TV Channels are state wide telugu cable channels ETV, Maa TV, Gemini and Teja and local cable channels.

[edit] See also

Tirumala, nearby temple town.
Lepakshi, another Shivite temple from the period of Vijayanagara Empire
Kadiri, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, (Official website: http://www.srikadirinarasimha.org)

[edit] References

^ Temples & Legends of Andhra Pradesh/Kalahasti/(Page5)
^ Temples & Legends of Andhra Pradesh/Kalahasti/(Page8)
^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved on 2008-11-01.

[edit] External links

http://www.srikadirinarasimha.org
http://kansal.gaurav.googlepages.com/tirupati About visiting srikalahasti/tirupati from Bangalore and information about nearby places/temples to visit, from where to get darshan tickets etc.
Know all about srikalahasthi
Kalahasti temple
Kalahasti templenet
Kalamkari art
Indian temples info about Kalahasti

Kalahasti History

KALAHASTI TEMPLE

Sri Kalahasti temple, situated 36 km away is famous for its Vayudeva temple, which is the only shrine of the god of wind in India. Constructed in the 12th century by the Chola king, Rajarajendra, Vayu is incarnated as Lord Shiva and worshipped as Kalahasteeswara.

This is an important temple dedicated to Lord Siva. This temple has one of the elemental lingas, the vayu (air) linga. There is a lamp inside the inner sanctum that is constantly flickering despite the lack of air movement inside. The air-linga can be observed to move even when the pujaris close off the entrance to the main Deity room, which does not have any windows. You can see the flames on several ghee lamps flicker as if blown by moving air. The linga is white and is considered Swayambhu, or self-manifested.

Kalahasti is surrounded by two sacred hills. The Durgamba temple is on the northern hill. On the south hill there is the shrine of Kannabeswara, in memory of the Sage Kannappa, who offered an eye to the Lord. When he tried to offer his other eye as well, the Lord mercifully stopped him. There is also a temple dedicated to Subramanya on one of the surrounding hills.

The main linga is untouched by human hands, even by the priest. Abhisheka (bathing) is done by pouring a mixture of water, milk, camphor, and panchamrita. Sandal paste, flowers and the sacred thread are offered to the utsava-murti, not the main linga.

This temple is one of the most impressive Siva temples in India. It features an enormous, ancient gopuram (tower) over the main gate. The tower is 36.5m (120 feet) high. The entire temple is carved out of the side of a huge stone hill. It was built in1516 by King Krishnadeva Raya.

The temple is run by neatly dressed Saivite Brahmins, who conduct the worship of the various deities inside. Inside the temple you will find the tremendously ornate and splendid architecture that South India is famous for. Elaborately designed pillars, altars, and paraphernalia abound.

Kalahasti Special Poojas

Kalahasti and Sarpa Dosham

By K N Rao Journal of Astrology

Kalahasti in Andhra Pradesh in south India has been well known for centuries for the shanti sarpa dosham represented by Rahu and Ketu in a horoscope. There was a very informative article in the Oct-Dec issue of the Journal of Astrology of 1999 which is reproduced here. On 26 December 2006, I visited Kalahasti with eight others. Everywhere in the temple we saw boards showing poojas offered to Rahu Ketu and for Sarpa Dosham. NO WHERE WAS THERE ANY MENTION OF KAAL SARPA YOGA. Three couples among nine of us wanted poojas to be done for Rahu Ketu and sarpa dosham and the remaining three of us joined as passive participants. In the pooja there was no mention of Kaal Sarpa Yoga at all. All that was said was SARPA DOSHAM. I asked the poojari performing it where was Kaal Sarpa Yoga mentioned in any astrology book. The conversation between us was like the following. ‘’ Nowhere’’he said. ‘’Then why do people refer to Kalahasti as the place for the shanti of the so called Kaal Sarpa Yoga?’’ I asked him. ‘’It is their mistake’’ he said. I was happy and pleased with the answer of the poojari. He has a musical voice and beautiful pronounciation of Sanskrit. He underwent training in Karmakanda in many places including Kanchi Kamkoti. IT IS NECESSARY TO REMEMBER THAT SAYING THAT KALAHASTI IS ASSOCIATED WITH KAAL SARPA YOGA is a mistake. In course of time, some people may have done so because the shantis of Rahu and Ketu are done here because Kalahasti is referred to as Rahu-Ketu Kheshram. Now read the article of Vikrumaditya Singh Rahu Ketu Kheshtram Vikrumaditya Singh In Tamil sources of the second century BC there is a reference to the south Indian pilgrimage, Kalahasti, a small town on the Gudur-Renigunta section of the South Central Railway, in the Chittor district Andhra Pradesh.Referred to as Dakshina Kailasam, where all human beings attain salvation or mukti. The artistic excellence in the Pallava, Chola and Vijaynagar traditions makes Kalahasti one of the important Shiva khestras in south India. Adjacent to the temple, the Swarnamukhi river flows uttarmukhi (in northward direction) as in Kashi (Varanasi). It is why Kalahasti is referred to as Dakshina Kashi or Kashi of the south. In this unique temple, unlike other Indian temples, Gods and Goddesses are placed in four directions, which signify: 1) Dharma (the enjoined duty one has to perform) symbolised Lord Ganapati facing North. 2) Artha (earning wealth) symbolised by Goddess Gnanprasoonammba (Umadevi) facing East. 3) Kaama (desires one pursues) symbolized by Lord Shiva facing South. 4) Moksha (salvation) symbolised by Lord Kalahasteeswara facing West and reminding us all that like the setting Sun death is inevitable for us all, mortals. Spider, Snake and Elephant The Kalahasti temple is associated with three of God ís creatures, a spider, a Rahu Ketu Kheshtram cobra and an elephant. The name of the spider was Sri, the snake is referred to as Kaal (here it is referred to as Kala) and Hasti refers to the elephant. The Spider In Krita yuga, as the story goes, there was a spider by the name Sri who worshipped Lord Shiva in a very artistic way by weaving its webs in the form of temples and towers. If some threads of its web got snapped by strong gusts of winds, it repaired by reconnecting those threads. To test Sri once Lord Shiva caused all those webs to be burnt by a flame. Angered, the spider ran to gulp those flames, a risk which was bound to cost it, its life. On the verge of death, the spider had the supreme fortune of seeing Lord Shiva appear before who, after saving its life, asked it to ask for a boon. The spider requested the Lord to grant it that eternal bliss which a true devotee wants. Lord Shiva granted that boon, allowed the spider to become one with Him, giving it, thus, Sayujya Mukti. Cobra and the Elephant In Treta Yuga, a cobra worshipped Lord Shiva with rare gems which it brought from Nagaloka (the world of snakes). In the next Yuga, Dwapara, came an elephant who offered its prayers to Lord Shiva at the same place after taking its bath in the river Swarnamukhi. The elephant brought in its tusk water with which he washed the temple after removing the offerings of the cobra. The elephant decorated the idol of Lord Shiva with flowers and bilva leaves. Next day, the cobra suffered an agony when it found that its offerings had been removed. Blowing off the leaves and flowers offered by the elephant, the cobra performed its pooja in its own way. For the elephant, the gems offered by the cobra were mere stones while for the cobra the leaves offered by the elephant were full of thorns. It went on, as though it was a game of hide and seek, each worshipping in its own way after removing otherís offerings. One day, the cobra wanting to know how it was happening, hid itself behind the leaves.Finding the elephant doing what it had done every day, the angered cobra entered the nostrils of the elephant, choking it to death. In agony,and facing its death, the elephant dashed its head on the Shiva Linga. It caused the death of the elephant and the cobra, now dashed to the ground with a mighty jerk, found it difficult to survive itself. Pleased with their devotion, Lord Shiva restored them to life and returned to them their original form which was of Rudras. They too merged in the form of the Lord as the spider had earlier, in a different Yuga, Krita. To immortalize his devotees, Lord Shiva assumed the name of SriKalahasti. As said earlier, the name of the spider was Sri, the snake is referred to as Kaal (here it is referred to as Kala) and Hasti refers to the elephant. In this famous pilgrimage, one can see how the three got immortalised in the Shiva Linga here. At the foot of the Linga is ìSriî the spider in a recognizable form. In the middle there are two tusks of the elephant while on the top one can see a five headed cobra, which Lord Shiva, as is known, wears as a garland round His neck. Rahu-Ketu The form of the Linga at Kalahasti, has the shape of a cobra. In Hindu jyotisha Rahu has been referred to as the snake. It is well known that no snake bite can take place unless there is Rahu combining with the Sun, Moon or Gulika with the aspect of Mars. It is for this reason that Kalahasti is also referred to as Rahu-Ketu khestram Some of the malefic influences associated with Rahu, in traditional Hindu astrology and in folk belief are the well known Sarpa dosha which causes a woman to have enormous difficulties in bearing children. It is more so in south India where astrologers refer to Naga dosha and have women worship a snake made of gold or silver which they are asked to donate to someone after the completion of their worship. One can notice here that the nine planets are not installed separately but all the nine are combined in kavacha (shield) placed above the Shiva Linga . The priests of the temple decorate the Kavacha and not the Shiva Linga. In this great pilgrimage, it is through the worship of the Kavacha that devotees overcome the afflictions caused in their horoscopes. It is in this great belief that devotees throng to the temple. It is the depth of their devotion that gives to them what they pray for. The great tradition has existed for thousands of years which is why Kalahasti is referred to as a rare pilgrimage which one must visit to enjoy the blessings of the Lord and get relief from worldly agonies.

Kalahasti Guide

Title

Description

KALAHASTI is a town in the Chittoor District of Andhra, and it is a Railway Station on the Renigunta-Gudur section. It has a temple dedicated to Lord Siva, and is famous throughout Andhra as a sacred place and a place of pilgrimage. This religious centre, which is situated between two steep hills, called Sripuram and Mummidicholapuram, is said to have formed part of Seshasaila or Mount Meru, in the ancient days.

Kalahasti is situated near the pilgrimage town of Tirupati and is visited by thousands of pilgrims. Kalahasti temple is also associated with Rahu and Ketu, (of the nine grahams or celestial bodies in the Indian astrological scheme).

Architecture: The huge west facing Kalahastiswara temple is built adjoining a hill, and on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi. At some points, the hill serves as the wall of the temple. The temple prakarams go after the contour of the adjoining hill and hence the temple plan is rather irregular. North of the temple is the Durgambika hill, south is the Kannappar hill and east is the Kumaraswamy hill.

Krishnadevaraya built a huge gopuram, a few feet away from the entrance to the temple. The entrance to the temple is crowned with a smaller tower. There is an underground Ganapati shrine in the outer prakaram, while in the innermost prakaram are the shrines of Shiva and Parvati.

The present structure of the temple is a foundation of the Cholas of the 10th century, as testified by inscriptions; improvements and additions were made during the subsequent years of the Chola rulers of Tamilnadu and the Vijayanagar emperors.

Location

36 kms from Tirupati Via Renigunta Junction.

How To Get There

Tirupati (30km) is the nearest airport and is perhaps the most convenient base for visiting Kalahasti as it (Tirupati) is endowed with several modern lodging facilities. A one day trip from Chennai is also possible, as Kalahasti is well connected by road with Tirupati and with Chennai and is only a four to five hour drive from Chennai. If well planned, Tirupati, Tirumala and Kalahasti can be covered in a day's trip from Chennai by car.

Attractions

Papavinasam waterfalls, Akasaganga waterfalls, Narayanavanam, Perumallapalli, Nagalapuram, Talakona, Kamipakam.

Kalahasti description