Understand

Overview

Sri Kaalahasti is a temple town. Its about 30 km from Tirupati, The ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva (as ''Sri Kalahastheeswarar'') and his consort Parvathi (as ''Gnanaprasunnambika'')is one of the ''Panchabootha Sthalams'' meaning the temple celebrates Lord Shiva as the embodiment of the primary elements (Fire, Space, Water, Earth, Air), Air being the element here. The temple is also associated with ''Rahu'' and ''Ketu''.

The other ''Panchabootha Sthalams''

  • '''Tiruvannamalai''' (Fire)
  • '''Chidambaram''' (Space)
  • '''Tiruvanaikkaval''' (Water)
  • '''Kanchipuram''' (Earth)
  • History

    The temple dates back to the pre-Christian era. The structure of the temple was built by the ''Cholas'' and improvements were made by other ''Chola'' kings and rulers of the ''Vijayanagara'' kings. The ''Pallava'', ''Chola'' and ''Vijayanagara'' rulers have made several endowments to this temple.

    The temple is built adjoining the ''Durgambika'' hill to the north, ''Kannappar'' hill to the south and ''Kumaraswamy'' hill to the east.

    Newspapers

  • The Hindu, Deccan Chronicle
  • Stay

    There are number of Private and Government guest houses. Being a small town, all these accommodations have limited amenities. Preference should be given to hygiene stay rather than luxury, as the later is not available around the temple. Generally, you will not be staying here for a long time. A day's visit with a over night stay should be sufficient. The temple itself is acclaimed for its religious beliefs than its architectural importance. Hence, guest_fs intending to make a visit also believe to depart for Sri Kaalahasti with the onset of the '''RAHU''' KALAM and reach Sri Kaalahasti during the onset of '''RAHU''' KALAM. Then the guests are expected to perform a Pooja during the '''RAHU''' KALAM. This is not mandatory but is only advised for all your prayers to be fruitful and answered by the Lord.

    Hotels

    Hotel Sri Saiteja residency, Sannidhi street, Sri Kalahasti, web: www.saitejaresidency.com phone:08578223677/88 mobile:9989407979

    The Best and New Hotel in Sri kalahasti with star facilities and just 2 mins by walk from temple

    Get in

    By plane

    The closest airport is near Tirupati Airport, which is just 25kms. There are daily flights from Hyderabad,Delhi,Bangalore

    By rail

    There is a railway station at sri Kalahasthi. There are trains from hyderabad,vijayawada and kolkata .The closest railway junction is Renigunta and all trains plying between Chennai and Mumbai stop at renigunta.The Renigunta is just 25kms from srikalahasthi.

    By bus

    It takes about 5 hours by road to get to Tirupati from Bangalore. Both KSRTC and APSRTC operate busses during the day and night.

    Its about 3 hours by road from Chennai. Both TNSRTC and APSRTC operate busses during the day and night...

    By car

    You can travel either from Chennai-Tada-Kalahasti or Chennai-Tirutani-Renigunda-Kalahasti from Chennai(110 KMS)

    Hyderabad (545 KMS): HYD-Kurnool-Cuddapah-Renigunta-srikalahasthi or HYD-Nagarjunasagar-ongole-Nellore-Naidupet-Srikalahasthi

    Bangalore(300 KMS) -Bangalore-Mulbagal-Palmaner-Chittor-Tirupati-Srikalahasthi

    Get around

    See

  • The '''Sri Kalahasti''' temple. Sri Kalahasti is one of the five Panchaboota Sthallas i.e. place representing one of the five elements of nature. Kalahasti represents Akash (sky).
  • '''Pathala Vinayaka''' - Lord Ganapathi in a temple below the earth.
  • Do

  • ''Rahu Ketu Pooja'' to overcome the ill effects of the imaginary planets ''Rahu and Ketu'' and also other ''doshas'' (ill effects) like 'Sarpa Dosha', ''Kaala Sarpa Dosha'' etc. You can buy the articles for Pooja by either paying Rs 250 (admints 2), Rs 600 (admits 3 people) or Rs 1000 (admits 5 people). If you pay Rs. 1000 the pooja is performed in the ''Sanctum Sanctorum''. Extra people can be admitted by Paying Rs 30 for each person.
  • The pooja articles include the following:
  • Sesha Vastram
  • One Blouse Piece
  • 1 ''Laddu''
  • ''Vada''
  • Lotus Flowers
  • ''Archana'' - Rs 25
  • Special ticket for ''Darshan'' - Rs 30
  • Milk ''Abhishekam'' - Rs 100 to 1600
  • ''Patchakarpuram Abhishekam'' (Raw Camphor) - Rs 100 to Rs 1200
  • ''Panchamurthahi Abhishekam'' - Rs 300 to Rs 3000
  • ''Nityakalyanam'' - Rs 501 to Rs. 5000
  • Couples who are unable to beget children pray to the Swing.
  • Learn

    Sri Kalahasthi is famous for Kalamkari paintings.The Kalamkari paintings can be learnt here from so many skilled people. Kalamkari is the art of painting with vegetable paints.Mythological stories are prominently made by srikalahasthi kalamkari painters.

    Buy

    Resorts

    Bans The Hotel(3 Star Hotel) with Accommodation,Dining & Water Park. contact cell:09704771333 website:www.bansc.in. This resort is 110kms from the temple and near chittor.

    Eat

    Drink

    Sleep

    Budget

    Mid-range

    Splurge

    Contact

    Stay healthy

    Cope

    Get out

  • Tirupati