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| Sri Kalahasti Temple, APsrikalahastitemple.org.in |
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| Sri Kalahasti Temple, AP srikalahastitemple.org.in |
The historic Sri Kalahasteeswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, located near the sacred Swarnamukhi River,in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh is a masterpiece of South Indian Dravidian architecture and deep spiritual symbolism. Believed to have originated as early as the 5th century CE during the Pallava period, the temple’s design evolved through contributions from the Chola and Vijayanagara dynasties. Inscriptions and stone work show the Pallavas laying the earliest sanctum foundations, while Rajendra Chola I and later Chola rulers expanded corridors, mandapams, and decorated stone carvings that enriched the temple complex.
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| interior, Kalahasti temple, AP rajpark.com |
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| Kalahasti Temple, AP thehindu.com |
The temple’s most striking architectural feature is its 120-foot tall Raja Gopuram, commissioned by Emperor Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire in 1516 CE. Although this grand tower suffered partial collapse in 2010, it has since been restored using traditional methods, once again dominating the temple skyline with its sculptural richness depicting divine figures and mythological scenes. The temple grounds unfold in a rectangular layout with concentric corridors (prakarams), vast mandapams, and beautifully carved pillars, including the famous 100-Pillar Hall (Nataka Mandapam), which serves as the vibrant venue for festivals and ritual abhishekams. Nandi Mandapam is a Pillared pavilion with a majestic Nandi facing the main shrine.
The temple complex has its entrance facing the south, while the main shrine faces the west. The white stone Shiva Lingam inside this shrine resembles the shape of an elephant’s trunk. The shrine of Lord Ganesh in the complex is a 9-foot-tall rock-cut shrine.
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| Kalahasti temple Facebook.com |
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| Pillared hall, Kalahasti temple trawell.in |
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| Pillared Hall.Kalahati temple facebook.com |
At the heart of this complex lies the sanctum sanctorum carved from monolithic rock, housing the Vayu Lingam, symbolizing Lord Shiva as the element of air—a unique representation among the Pancha Bhoota (five elemental) temples. A lamp inside the sanctum continuously flickers even in still air, signifying divine presence and cosmic breath. In the outer prakaram exists a rock-cut underground shrine to Lord Ganapati and shrines to Goddess Gnana Prasunambika Devi and other deities, revealing the temple’s layered devotional focus.
This temple is not without a legend. According to the legend an ardent tribal devotee of God Shiva, one Bhakta Kannappa offered his eyes to stop the bleeding from the Shiva Lingam. The Lord, moved by his devotion, restored his vision and granted him moksha (salvation).On the premises, there is a shrine dedicated to him.His full name is Kannappa Nayanar.
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| Kalahasti Temple, AP trawell.in |
The annual Maha Shivaratri festival at Sri Kalahasti is celebrated with extraordinary devotion. Thousands of pilgrims from across southern India converge here during February–March for an all-night vigil marked by continuous chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya,” Rudrabhishekam ceremonies, and lamps illuminating the corridors. The temple remains open 24 hours on this auspicious night, and special pujas for Rahu–Ketu dosha nivarana are performed to remove astrological afflictions. The town resonates with spiritual fervor as devotees observe fasting and meditation, seeking inner purification and blessings of Lord Shiva in his Vayu element form.
Through its architecture and sacred celebrations, Sri Kalahasti Temple stands as a living testament to India’s ancient cultural continuity, blending structural genius with profound religious expression.
https://ecoheritage.cpreec.org/srikalahasti/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://travellersaura.com/sri-kalahasti-temple-architecture/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.rajpark.com/tirupati-hotel/blog/srikalahasti-temple-tirupati.html
https://www.trawell.in/andhra/srikalahasti/srikalahasteeswara-temple
https://srikalahastitemple.org.in
https://srikalahastitemple.org.in/history-of-sri-kalahasti-temple
K. N. Jayaraman
