The Srikalahasteeswara Temple in Srikalahasti, Andra Pradesh, is a sacred place of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva. Carved into a hill in Chittoor district, this 5th-century shrine houses Lord Shiva in his form as Vayu Lingam, tied to the wind element. Its Dravidian style gopurams, intricate stone carvings, and the soothing energy of Shiva bring pilgrims from all over India.
Legend of the Temple
The Srikalahasteeswara Temple carries various old legends. One main tale speaks of a spider, a serpent, and an elephant who loved to worship a Shiva lingam on this hill. The spider wove webs to shade the lingam from heat and rain, the serpent brought shining gems, and the elephant poured water on the lingam from nearby river. Their care pleased Shiva, who gave them blessings and called the lingam Vayu, with wind element, as it stood strong through their work. This makes it one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, linked to nature’s five elements. Another tale says a devotee named Sri and a demon called Kala prayed here, naming the place Srikalahasti.
History of the Srikalahasteeswara Temple
The temple’s beginnings go far back, to the 5th century with the Pallavas, though some say people prayed here even before. A stone writing from 450 CE near the hill points to a holy spot, but the temple we know grew under Pallava kings. By the 12th century, Chola rulers added rooms, as temple stones show. In 1516, Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya built a hall with a hundred pillars, making it a big place for devotion and gathering.
In the 1700s, local leaders fixed the hill paths, keeping the temple busy, Chittoor’s old logs say. British rule came in 1858, but the prayers never stopped. After 1947, Andhra’s leaders took charge, and the Endowments Board runs it now. Telugu songs by saints like Thyagaraja, who sang to Shiva, carried the temple’s name far, tying it to Andhra’s Bhakti path. As a Pancha Bhoota shrine, it calls thousands looking for Shiva’s peace, making it a big part of Srikalahasti’s ways.
Architecture of the Temple
The Srikalahasteeswara Temple, spread over 2 acres, mixes Dravidian and Pallava styles. Its five-story gopuram, 25 meters tall, is full of carvings showing Shiva’s stories, dancers, and yali beasts, painted in soft whites and pinks. A stone door with god pictures leads to the sanctum, where the old Vayu Lingam sits, shining with lamp flames. A small shrine for Goddess Gnana Prasunamba, a form of Parvati, is near, made around 1000 CE. The main prayer room, mended in the 1400s, has stone pillars with Shiva Purana tales and Vijayanagara signs.
The hundred-pillar hall, from 1516, shows Ramayana scenes and Pallava marks. A holy tank, Shiva Ganga, is in the courtyard for washing before prayers. Shrines for Ganesha and Kartikeya stand close. Wall carvings from the 1300s, cared for by the ASI, tell the spider, serpent, and elephant tale, making every stone a piece of the past. The temple’s hill spot, by the Swarnamukhi River, joins it to Srikalahasti’s old days as a faith hub, not far from Tirupati.
Festivals and Rituals
The temple lights up during festivals, above all Maha Shivaratri in February or March, a big day for Lord Shiva. That night, the lingam is poured with milk, with priests offering bilva leaves and chanting mantras. Telugu bhajans and Odissi dances, sharing Shiva’s stories, ring in the halls. Shivaratri’s Rahu-Ketu puja, a special worship for those afflicted with Rahu or Ketu dosha in their horoscope, is very famous here.
Getting to the Temple
Srikalahasti is simple to reach, 36 km from Tirupati. Tirupati Airport, 25 km away, has flights from Hyderabad (1 hour) or Chennai (1.5 hours). Taxis get to the temple in 30 minutes. Srikalahasti Railway Station, 2 km away, links to Chennai (2 hours), Bangalore (6 hours), and Hyderabad (10 hours). Autos from the station take 10 minutes. Buses from Tirupati (1 hour) or Chennai (3 hours) stop at Srikalahasti Bus Stand, 1 km away. Local autos cost 20-40 rupees to the temple. No entry fee, but prayers may cost 100-500 rupees.
Practical Tips for Visiting
Andhra Pradesh gets hot, up to 40 degree Celsius, with rains from June to September. November to February is cooler, around 21 degree Celsius. Visit early in the morning in order to avoid crowds and heat. Shivaratri gets full, so book prayers early. Bring water and a hat for the hill paths. Autos in Srikalahasti cost 20-40 rupees.
Final Thoughts
The Srikalahasteeswara Temple is one of the best temples of Andhra Pradesh, a land of old tales in South India. Set in its hill, keeps the temple is filled with devotional faith and Andhra’s old ways making it a must visit temples among many other temples in the state.
