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The Srikalahasteeswara Temple stands on the banks of the Swarnamukhi river in Srikalahasti, about 36 km from Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, the great Shiva temples of South India that each represent an element. Here Shiva is worshipped as the Vayu lingam, the lingam of air, together with the goddess Gnana Prasunambika.
The temple is often called Dakshina Kailasam, the Kailash of the South. Many pilgrims visit it on the same trip as Tirumala, and many come specifically for the Rahu-Ketu puja for which it is famous.
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Legends of Srikalahasti
The name is usually explained as a combination of three devotees: Sri (a spider), Kala (a snake) and Hasti (an elephant), who are said to have worshipped the lingam here and attained liberation. The lingam itself is traditionally described as bearing the forms of all three.
The best-known story is that of Kannappa, a tribal hunter whose devotion to Shiva was so great that he offered his own eyes to the god. Shiva stopped him and granted him moksha. A small temple to Bhakta Kannappa stands on the hill overlooking the town.
History and architecture
The temple grew over many centuries. The Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I is credited with major renovation in the 11th century, and later dynasties added halls and shrines. In 1516 the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya built the great gopuram, about 120 feet tall. That tower collapsed in 2010; a new gopuram was built in its place and consecrated in January 2017.
The complex is large, with long pillared corridors, several shrines and a strongly Dravidian style. Inside the sanctum a lamp is said to flicker in the still air, a sign devotees associate with the Vayu lingam.
Rahu-Ketu puja
Srikalahasti is best known today for the Rahu-Ketu puja (also called Rahu-Ketu sarpa dosha nivarana puja), performed by devotees who believe it eases astrological afflictions linked to the shadow planets Rahu and Ketu. Pujas are held in batches through the day, in designated halls inside the complex. Tickets come in several categories and can be bought at the temple counters or booked through the official Andhra Pradesh endowments portal, aptemples.ap.gov.in. We do not book pujas; check the current categories and timings on the official site.
Unusually, the temple is known for staying open during solar and lunar eclipses, when most Hindu temples close, and eclipse days bring very large crowds.
Timings and dress
At the time of writing the temple is open for darshan from about 6 AM to 9 PM. Traditional dress is preferred, and for the Rahu-Ketu puja and abhishekam men usually wear a dhoti with an upper cloth and women a sari or churidar with dupatta. For ordinary darshan, wear modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees. Footwear and, as at most major temples, phones and bags may need to be deposited outside. Rules change, so check before you go.
Festivals
The biggest celebration is Maha Shivaratri (February or March), marked by a Brahmotsavam of about 13 days with daily processions of the deities on different vahanas. Expect very heavy crowds on the main days.
Visiting from Pondicherry
Tirupati is about 225 km from Pondicherry, around five hours by car, and Srikalahasti is roughly an hour further. Most travellers combine the two: darshan at Tirumala on one day and Srikalahasti, perhaps with Chandragiri Fort, on the other. Our Andhra temple circuit with Tirupati and Srikalahasti is built around this plan, by car with driver; interstate permit charges apply for Andhra Pradesh. If you are following the five element temples, see also our Pancha Bhoota Sthalam tour. See also our temples and festivals and culture pages.
Frequently asked questions
Which element does Srikalahasti represent?
Air (vayu). Srikalahasti is the Vayu Sthalam among the five Pancha Bhoota temples of Shiva.
How far is Srikalahasti from Tirupati?
About 36 km, roughly an hour by car, so it is easy to combine with a Tirupati trip.
How do I book the Rahu-Ketu puja at Srikalahasti?
Tickets are sold at the temple counters and can be booked through the official Andhra Pradesh temples portal, aptemples.ap.gov.in. Check the current categories and timings there.
Is Srikalahasti temple open during an eclipse?
Yes. The temple is known for staying open during solar and lunar eclipses, when most temples close, and it is very crowded on those days.
What is the dress code for the Rahu-Ketu puja?
Traditional dress is preferred: a dhoti with an upper cloth for men and a sari or churidar for women. For ordinary darshan, modest clothing is expected.