Srikalahasti
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| శ్రీకాళహస్తి (Srikalahasti) | |
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| Country |  India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| District(s) | Chittoor |
| Population | 110,587 (2008[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
Srikalahasti (Telugu: శ్రీకాళహస్తి, Tamil: திருக்காளத்தி) is a holy town and a municipality near Tirupati in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi, a tributary of the river Pennar. It is also informally referred to as Kalahasti. Recently,it has been included in the TUDA (Tirupati Urban Development Authority) region.[citation needed]
It is one of the important ancient Shiva Kshetras (Shiva Temples) of South India. The temple occupies the area between the river bank and the foot of the hills and is popularly known as Dakshina Kailasam. The three lofty Gopurams of the temple are remarkable for their architecture. This temple was built during the period of King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar. A huge hundred pillared mantapam is another important feature of this shrine.
It is one of the ancient temples included in the Hindu pilgrimages and the site of a famous Shiva temple with magnificent gopurams and is fairly close to the famous hill temple of Lord Venkateshwara at Tirupati, one of the richest and famous temple cities in the world. It is also the origin of the popular textile painting art called kalamkari.
[edit] Legends
The name of the place comes from three animals, Sri (spider), Kala (snake) and Hasti (elephant) who worshipped Shiva and gained salvation here. A statue that shows all three animals is situated in the main shrine.
The Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana and Linga Purnas have a mention about Srikalahasti. The Skanda Purana says that Arjuna visited this place, worshipped Kalahastiswara and met the sage Bharadwaja on the top of the hill. It is believed that Kannappa (also known as Bhakta Kannappa), a tribal devotee has worshipped Siva at Srikalahasti. Tamil saints Nayanars like Appar , Sundarar and Sambanthar praised the deity in their hyms tevaram.
Brahma, the Hindu God of creation, is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva and bathed in the swarnamukhi river to get rid of "sisuhathya patakam" (the sin of killing children).
The river Swarnamukhi got its name from a belief that gold was found in its stream. Swarna means gold and Swarnamukhi means gold faced in Sanskrit.
The sukabrahmashrama was established by a noted scholar (equally well versed in Sanskrit and English) called Sri Vidya Prakasananda Giri Swamy. He is known for his knowledge on Hindu philosophy. He delivered many talks on Hindu Dharma. His short stories are much talked about among the folklore. The main characterestic of his stories is the lucidity in style that makes the essence of the story understandable, even to a layman.
The famous Puttalamma temple which is located in Thondamanadu (Near Srikalahasti) and the Perumal temple has been recently acquired by TTD. This temple was built by Thondaman Chakravarthi (King of Thondamanadu), one can find some antique items there.[citation needed]
[edit] History
SRIKALAHASTI which is situated on the banks of Swarnamukhi River and picturesque surrounding of hillocks is a famous Saivite Temple in South India. Thousands of pilgrims visits the temple to have darshan of the almighty Sri Kalahasteeswara and Sri Gnanaprasunambika Devi. Sri Kalahasteeswara showers grace to wipe out the sins and obstacles of devotees. Seers and sages worshipped lord Srikalahasteeswara and praised with hymns.
Sri Adi Sankara visited this kshetra and praised the bhakti of Kannappa in his Sivanandalahari.
The historical reference to this temple occur in the works of Nakkeerar, a Tamil poet in 3rd Century BC during the Tamil Sangam Dynasty. He called it as Southern Kailash.Nakkeera composed hundred stanzas to praise Srikalahasteeswara. Dhoorjati a Telugu poet native of this place and one among the ashtadiggajas of Sri Krishnadevaraya’s court composed hundred stanzas on Sri Halahasteeswara.
It is one of the panchabhoota sthalam - representing five basic elements. This is the Vayu Sthalam among the Pancha Bootha Sthalams representing Air. The others are - Tiruvannamalai (Thejo sthalam - Fire) Kanchipuram (Prithvi sthalam - Earth) Tiruvanaikaval (Appu sthalam - Water) Chidambaram (Akasa sthalam - Space).
Legend has it that Lord Shiva disguised as Vayu (Air) observed that The Spider (SRI), Cobra (KALA) and Elephant (HASTI) worshipped Him very devotedly. So Lord Shiva made them to relieve from the curse and attain salvation, hence this place is called SRIKALAHASTI.
One hunter by name Thinna worshiped Lord Shiva and attained salvation
Sri Gnanaprasoonambika Devi, consort of Sri Kalahasteeswara bestows divya gyan to the devotees.
The marvelous temple architecture is representing Chola, Pallava, pandya and Krishnadevaraya style of architecture.
One siva bhaktha sikhamani named Ramanathan chettiar from Tamil Nadu had spent 9 lacs to renovate and performed kumbhabhishekam in 1912.
As a gift, of almighty he attained siva sayujyam (moksha) on the next day of maha sivarathri
Worshipping Sri Kalahasteeswara results in dispelling all worldly miseries and attaining marvelous spiritual happiness.
According to the scriptures, the Kshetra is praised as Dakshina Kailasam, Dakshina Kashi, Satya vrata Maha bhaskara kshethram, Sadyomukthi kshetram and also Rahu-Kethu Parihara Kshethram.
Many more Tamil Saivite saints like Sambandar, Appar, Manikkavasagar, Sundaramurti, Pattinathar and Sri Ramalinga Swami of Vadalur have also visited this place.[1]
The hill adjacent to temple has still carvings in Pallava style. The Cholas renovated the old Pallava temple in 11th century. Kulottunga Chola I constructed the Galigopuram, the main entrance facing south and Kulottunga Chola III constructed few other temples. In 12th Century A.D., King Veeranarasimha Yadavaraya built the present Prakaras, and the four Gopurams connecting the four entrances. According an inscription of Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara empire dating back to 1516 A.D., he constructed the Hundred Pillared Mantapam and the other tall Galigopuram that faces west to east. In 1529 A.D., King Achutaraya of the Vijayanagara empire got his coronation performed here, before he celebrated in his capital City. The Natukottai Chettiars of Devakottai gave the final shape to the temple in 1912 by donating then around nine lakhs of rupees.
[edit] Sevas list
AARIJITHA SEVAS = PAID SEVAS
1. Go (Cow) Pooja ------ Rs. 50.00 ---- 05.00 AM ---- Allowed 2
2. Suprabhatha Seva ------ Rs. 30.00 ---- 05.30 AM ---- Allowed 2
3. Sarva Darshanam ----- Free ---- 06.00 AM to 09.00 PM ---- Free
4. Special Darshanam ------ Rs. 30.00 ---- 06.00 AM to 09.00 AM ---- Allowed 1
- Note :
- Keep the ticket until leaving the Temple premises
- wearing of white dhoti and apron is a must for abhishekamdars
5. Rudrabhishekam **** Rs. 500.00 ---- 07.00 AM Onwards ---- Allowed 4
- 5.1 Firstly : Sankalpam at Sri Swamy Sannidhi.
- 5.2 Secondly : Abhishekam for Sri Gnana Prasunambika Devi.
- 5.3 Thirdly : Abhishekam for Srikalahasteeswara Swamy & Prasadam receiving
6. Panchamruthabhishekam Rs. 300.00 ---- 07.00 AM Onwards ---- Allowed 4
- 6.1 Firstly : Sankalpam at Sri Swamy Sannidhi
- 6.2 Secondly : Sri Gnana Prasunambika Devi Abhishekam
- 6.3 Thirdly : Srikalahasteeswara Swamy Abhishekam & Prasadam receiving
7. Nityadittam Abhishekam: Rs. 100.00 ---- 07.00 AM Onwards ---- Allowed 4
- 7.1 Firstly : Sankalpam at Sri Swamy Sannidhi
- 7.2 Secondly : Sri Gnana Prasunambika Devi Abhishekam
- 7.3 Thirdly : Srikalahasteeswara Swamy Abhishekam & Prasadam receiving
8. Ksheerabhishekam : Rs.100.00 ---- 07.00 AM Onwards ---- Allowed 2
- Note : Not Less than 2 litres or more milk should be brought by devotee
- 8.1 Firstly : Sankalpam, abhishekam to Gnanaprasunambika Devi
- 8.2 Secondly : Sankalpam, abhishekam to Srikalahasteeswara
9. Kasi Ganga Jalabhishekam: Rs. 25.00 ---- 07.00 AM Onwards ---- Allowed 1
- Note : *Devotee should bring the sealed brass or copper container
10. Pachcha Karpurabhishekam: Rs. 100.00 ---- 07.00 AM Onwards ---- Allowed 2
- Note :Sankalpam and abhishekam only for Srikalahasteeswara
11. Sri Saneeswarabhishekam: Rs. 150.00 ---- 10.00 AM & 05.30 PM --- Allowed 2
12. Archana : Rs. 25.00 ---- 06.30 AM to 08.30 PM—Allowed 2
13. Sahasranamarchana : Rs. 200.00 ---- After abhishekams ---- Allowed 2
- 13.1 Firstly : Sankalpam and archana for Sri GnanaprasunambikaDevi
- 13.2 Secondly : for Srikalahasteeswara Swamy & Prasadam receiving at Kitchen
14. Trisathi Archana : Rs. 150.00 ---- After abhishekams ---- Allowed 2
- 14.1 Firstly : Sankalpam and archana for Sri Gnanaprasunambika Devi
- 14.2 Secondly : for Srikalahasteeswara Swamy & Prasadam receiving at Kitchen
15. Rudra Homa : Rs. 1116.00 --- at 10.00 A.M daily once
16. Chandi Homa : Rs. 1116.00 --- at 10.00 A.M daily once
17. Naivedya Katnam (Fee) : Rs. 10.00 ---
18. Nityothsavam (Only mornings): Rs. 58.00 --- at 10.30 A.M daily once
19. Sri Gnanaprasunamba Devi Cradle Seva : Rs. 50.00 --- at 07.30 PM (Only on Friday evening)
20. Kalyanothsavam : Rs. 501.00 --- at 10.30 A.M. daily once
21. Ekantha Seva : Rs. 100.00 --- at 09.00 P.M
22. Pradosha Nandi Seva : Rs. 120.00 --- at 06.30 P.M ----- Allowed 1 person for darshan
23. Rahu-Kethu Pooja : Rs. 250.00 --- at 06.30 AM to 08.30 PM—Allowed 4 for Darshan
24. Rahu-Kethu Pooja : Rs. 600.00 --- at 06.30 AM to 08.30 PM—Allowed 4 for Darshan
25. Rahu-Kethu Pooja : Rs.1000.00 --- at 06.30 AM to 08.30 PM—Allowed 4 for Darshan
26. Rahu-Kethu Pooja : Rs.1500.00 --- at 06.30 AM to 08.30 PM—Allowed 4 for Darshan
27. Sp.Darshan,Asheervadam,Prasadham : Rs. 500.00 --- at 07.00 AM to 08.00 PM
28. Devotees Marriage Fee : Rs. 200.00 --- Only in the mornings
- Note :On Producing necessary Documents from civil authorities
29. Vahana Pooja
- for Heavy: : Rs. 25.00
- For Light: : Rs. 20.00
For further details Pls. Contact
The Executive officer,
Srikalahasteeswara Swamy Vaari Devasthanam
Srikalahasti – 517644
Std code: 08578. Phone: 222240
[edit] Places of Intrest
- Sri Durga Temple
Hillock
North from temple
- Sri Subrahmanya Temple
Hillock
East from temple
- Sri Kannappa Temple
Hillock
South from temple
- Sri Pancha Mukeswara Temple
Adjacent to Main Temple
South from temple
- Sri Dakshina kali Temple
Aprox. 06 km
South from temple
- Sri Veyi Lingala Kona (Hills)
Aprox. 08 km
South from temple
- Sri Neelakanteswara swami Temple Urandur
1.5 km form Railway station
- Gudi Mallam
Aprox. 20 km
South from temple
- Thala Kona
Aprox. 120 km
West from temple(Via Tirupati)
- Pallikondeswara Swamy Temple
Aprox. 100 km
East from temple( Via Nagalapuram )
[edit] Geography
Srikalahasti is located at 13°45′N 79°42′E / 13.75°N 79.7°E on the bank of river Swarnamukhi. It is located 38 km north of Tirupati central. It is one of the assembly constituencies in Chittor District.
[edit] Education
Srikalahasti has many educational institutions ranging from Elementary schools to Engineering & Degree Colleges. Srikalahasteeswara Institute of Technology is an engineering college organized by Srikalahasteeswara Trust board.It is affiliated to J.N.T.U, Anantapur. Sri Vidya Prakasananda Degree college offers various bachelor courses like Bachelor of Science (B.Sc), Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), Bachelor of Arts (B.A) etc. This college is affiliated to Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. In recent years, the Srikalahasteeswara temple trust board started a nursing college also in Kasa Gardens.
For Intermediate education, there are separate Government junior colleges for Boys and Girls. Government boys junior college is near to Panagal, and the girls junior college is located at Ayyala Nayudu Lake, near to the Government Hospital and the APSRTC Bus station.
Government High Schools:
- R.P.B.S Z.P Boys High School, B.P. Agraharam
- Z.P High School for Girls, Near Government Hospital
- Government High School, Panagal
- A.P. Welfare Resedential High school for Girls, Kasa Gardens
Private High Schools:
- R.C.P Gurukulam
- Viswabharati High School
- M.G.M High School
- Vivekananda High School
- Raja High school
- Rushi Valley High school, Sriramnagar colony
- Vidyajyothi HIgh school, Sriramnagar colony
- Srinivasa bharati High School, B.P. Agraharam
- Sri Chaitanya High school, Sriramnagar colony
- The School, near Checkpost
- ST.Xaviers EM school.
[edit] Economy
The town depends mainly on agriculture and tourism. The main crops are paddy, sugar cane and ground nuts. Ground nut was grown extensively and a pathological condition of the crop is found exclusively here, named Kalahasti malady. Hundreds of Kalamkari artists also bring some revenue. Pilgrims visitng the Tirumala temple also visit the Kalahasti temple , rendering it many footsteps each day and thereby making it the second famous temple in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The sleek and stylish infrastructure of Tirupati has spread to Srikalahasti and they are often regarded as Twin Cities.
[edit] Government
It is located under the administration of Chittoor district. The Srikalahasti mandal headquarters are located here.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census,[2] Srikalahasti had a population of 1,20,000. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Srikalahasti has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 59%. In Srikalahasti, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Transport
The nearest airport is about 20 km from here at Renigunta, the Tirupati Airport. It is reachable by road from Tirupati, Chennai or Gudur. It is on the Renigunta-Gudur section of Guntakal (GTL) Division of the South Central Railway (SCR). All trains from Vijayawada to Tirupati halt at Kalahasti.
Sri Kalahasthi is connected to the state capital Hyderabad (HYD) by the following trains:
- Tirupati-Adilabad Krishna Express
- Tirupati-Secunderabad Narayanadri Express
- Tirupati-Secunderabad Padmavathy Express
- Thiruvananthapuram Central-Hyderabad Sabari Express
- Tirupati-Vishakapatnam Tirumala Express
The local transport is by taxis or autorickshaws and city buses. Shuttle buses between Tirupathi and Srikalahasti run every 10 mins.
Andhra Pradesh State owned Bus services (APSRTC) are available from Tirupati central bus station, at a frequency of 10 minutes and other tour operators provide religious tour package visits to the temple in Srikalahasti from the City centre at Tirupati. Taxicabs are also available from Tirupati.
[edit] Arts, Culture and Traditions
The people predominantly speak Telugu and can understand English and Tamil. There is a considerable number Muslim population, who speak Urdu. The residents wear both traditional clothing like Dhoti, Lungi and Saree as well as modern suits and dresses. The town is also famous for kalamkari art, painting on cotton or silk textiles with dyes made from vegetables. The Rahu-ketu sarpa dosha puja is a frequently performed activity.
The Telugu poem collection 'Sri Kalahasteeswara Satakam' by Dhurjati explains the traditions associated with this temple during the times of the Vijayanagara Empire. Muthuswamy Deekshitar, one of the foremost composers in the Carnatic Music Tradition has sung the praises of this temple in his bhajans, 'Sree Kaalahasteesa'. Other works on this temple include the Sree-Kalattipuranam of the three brothers Karunapprakasar, Sivapprakasar and Velappa Deekshitar; Tirukkalattipuranam by Aanandakoottar of Veerainagar and Tirukkalatti Ula by Seraikkavirayar.
While all Hindu festivals are observed, Sivaratri is a major festival. The town also celebrates Gangammala Jatara in December every year.
Movie theatres are a popular form of entertainment.
[edit] Hotels and Accommodation
There are numerous hotels and temple guesthouses. Some of them are:
1) Hotel Sri Sai Teja Residency (phone: 08578223677) Hotel Sri Sai Teja Residency Hotel (near SriKalahasthi Temple)
2) Hotel Madhu
3) Trinetra Guest House
4) SriKalahasteeswara Temple Guest House (phone: 08578220412) 5) C.B Residency
[edit] Religious Attractions
- Temple of Srikalahasteeswara and his consort Gnana Prasunambika Devi
- Viswanatha temple
- Kannappa temple on a hill
- The Manikarnika temple
- Two wells called Surya Pushkarani and Chandra Pushkarani
- The Suryanarayana temple
- The Vijaya Ganapathi temple ('kondamitta')
- Baradhwaja thirtham (Nandanavanam or 'lobavi')
- The Krishandevaraya Mantapa, the Jalakoti Mantapa and the Palagar Mantapa etc. are all situated close by
- Sri Sukabrahmaashramam
- Veyyalingala kona (the valley of the thousand lingas)
- Durgambha Temple on a hill
- Subramanya Swamy temple on a hill
- Ponnalamma temple (Panagal)
- Ankamma temple (Near Main Bus Stand)
- Dharmarajula Temple (Madras Road)
- Dakshina Kali Temple (Vaedam)
- Sri Neelakanteswara Temple URANDUR (1.5 KM from Railwaystation)
- Sri Perumaallu Swamy Temple URANDUR (1.5 KM from Railwaystation)
- Sri Panduranga Swamy temple (Muchivolu)
- SaiBaba Temple (Madras Road)
- Perumal Swamy Temple (Near Srikalahasti, Thondamanadu)
- Puttalamma Temple (Near Srikalahasti, Thondamanadu)
- Bathinaiah Hill Temple (Near Mucilipedu, Srikalahasti)
- Varadharaja Swamy temple
[edit] Sports
Cricket is the most watched and played sport. Local clubs sponsor annual Lawn Tennis tournaments. Traditional games like kabaddi, kho-kho are also played by school and college-going students.
[edit] Media
All major telugu news papers like Eenadu, Vaartha and Sakshi and local magazines like Kalahasti Zone are read, which are published from Tirupati. The district special versions cover Kalahasti news. The popular TV Channels are state wide telugu cable channels ETV, Maa TV, Gemini and Teja and in cable (the local cable channel).
[edit] Villages in Srikalahasti Mandal
- Muchivolu
- Chodavaram
- Kapu Gunneri
- Pedda Kannali
- URANDUR
- Thondamanadu
- ammapaleam
- Challapallem
- chemuru
[edit] Villages in Tottambedu Mandal
[edit] See also
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Srikalahasti |
- The nearby famous temple town of Tirumala.
[edit] References
- ^ Temples & Legends of Andhra Pradesh/Kalahasti/(Page5)
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
[edit] External links
- Know all about srikalahasthi
- Kalahasti temple
- Kalahasti templenet
- Kalamkari art
- Indian temples info about Kalahasti
- Hotel Sri Sai Teja Residency Best Hotel in sri kalahasthi
- Srikalahasti travel guide
