shivaheader.jpg (29087 bytes)

89. Sree Kalahasti

திரு காளத்தி

Location: Sree Kaalahasti near Tirupati
(Nadu Naadu-Tondai Naadu)
Shiva: Kaalahasti Naathar
Ambal: Vandaar Kuzhalaal, Gnanaprasoonambika
Vriksham: Vilvam
Theertham: Swarnamukhi
Patikam : Sambaandar, Appar, Sundarar
Travel Base: Chennai 
Other: Pancha Bhootastalam
Tvm7.jpg (55426 bytes)
Description:Sree Kalahasti is one of the most revered Saivite shrines just outside Tamilnadu, near Tirupati.  It is considered to be a Navagrahastalam where Rahu & Ketu worshipped Shiva. and a Vayu Kshetram (Wind) one of the Panchabhoota Stalams signifying the 5 elements of wind (Kalahasti), water (Tiruvanaikka), fire (Tiruvannamalai), earth (Kanchipuram) and space (Chidambaram). This is the 19th of the 32 Tevara Stalams in the Tondai region of South India.

The Temple: This is a vast temple adjoining a hill on the banks of Swarnamukhi. Sambandar composed hymns in honor of Kailasam, Gowrikundam & Sreesailam from here. Muthuswamy Deekshitars Kriti Sree Kaalahasteesa celebrates this shrine. The Gopurams and mandapams that adorn this vast temple are contributions of the Cholas & the Vijayanagar Empire who patronized this temple The inner precincts of the temple are very similar in construct to the other 4 Panchabhoota Temples in Tamilnadu.

Legends: Shiva here was worshipped by a spider,snake & elephant as in Tiruvanaikkaval. Kannappa Nayanar a hunter is also associated with Kudumidevar-Shiva atop the adjacent hill. It is believed that the 3 Saints Appar, Sundarar and Sambandar, worshipped the Shivalingam on the hill.  

Please visit a special Templenet feature on Sree Kalahasti for more information.

WB01343_.gif (599 bytes)         WB01345_.gif (616 bytes)

[Abodes of Shiva - Home] [The Templenet Encyclopedia][Temple Architecture][Travel & Tourism] [[Festivals& Fairs]Beliefss & Legends]]
The Templenet Homepage