Srikalahasti Temple is placed in the town of Srikalahasti, inside the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It’s far one of the most well-known Shiva temples in South India, and is stated to be the site where Kannappa changed into geared up to offer each his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Siva stopped him and granted him moksha.Srikalahasti temple, situated 36 km far from Tirupati is well-known for its Vayu linga, one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams, representing wind. The temple is likewise regarded as Rahu-Ketu kshetra and Dakshina Kailasam. The inner temple was built round 5th century and the outer temple became built inside the 11th century by way of the Rajendra Chola I, later Chola kings and the Vijayanagara kings. Shiva in his thing as Vayu is worshiped as Kalahasteeswara.

Across the eleventh century, the Chola king Rajendra Chola I king renovated the temple and constructed the main shape.The temple received contributions from numerous ruling dynasties like Chola Dynasty and Vijayanagar Empire. The hundred pillared corridor with intricate carvings became commissioned at some point of the regime of Krishnadeva Raya all through 1516 ad. The presiding deity of the temple Gnana Prasunambika Devi become born in Vellathurar Gotra of Senguntha Kaikolar. Customary for the bride to convey domestic the dowry and post it by using these Vellathurar peoples on the Shiva Parvati wedding held here.

The temple changed into built through Rajendra Chola I, The one hundred twenty feet (37 m) high main gopuram and the 100 pillar mandapam were built through Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagara king in 1516. The presiding photograph of Shiva within the shape of Linga is product of white stone in a shape reminiscent of trunk of elephant. The temple faces south, even as the sanctum faces west. The temple is located on the foothills of a hill, even as there may be also a perception that the temple became carved out of a monolithic hill. There is a rock cut shrine of Vinayaka, 9 feet (2.7 m) beneath the ground stage. Vallaba Ganapathi, Mahalakshmi-Ganpathi and Sahasra Lingeswara are some of the rare images determined in the temple. There is a huge shrine of Jnanaprasanammba, the consort of Kalahatisvara. There are smaller shrines in the temple for Kasi Viswanatha, Annapurna, Suryanarayana, Sadyoganapathi and Subramanya. There are two large halls namely Sadyogi Mandapa and Jalkoti Mandapa. There are water bodies related to the particularly, Surya Pushkarani and Chandra Pushkarani.

During the early days of introduction, Vayu executed penance for hundreds of years to “Karpoora lingam” (Karpooram approach camphor). Pleased along with his penance, Shiva manifested before him and said, ” O Vayu Deva! Although you’re dynamic in nature, you stayed right here with out movement and did penance for me. I’m thrilled with your devotion. I shall supply you three boons”. Vayu stated, “Swami! I want to be gift everywhere on this global. I need to be an quintessential part of each Jiva who is none apart from the manifestation of Paramatma. I want to call this Karpoora Linga, which represents you, after me. Samba Siva stated,” Your are certified for those 3 boons. As according to your want, you will be spread for the duration of this world. With out you there will be no life. This linga of mine will all the time be regarded throughout thru your name, and all Suras, Asuras, Garuda, Gaandharvas, Kinneras, kimpurushas, Siddhas, Saadhvis, people and others will worship this Lingam”. Shiva disappeared after granting these boons. Thereafter, this Karpoora Vayu Lingam is worshipped through all Lokas (worlds).

There are several other legends linked to the consideration of the temple. Distinguished amongst them is of Parvati who become cursed via Shiva to discard her heavenly frame and count on the human form. To do away with the above curse Parvati did a protracted penance here. Thrilled with her deep devotion Shiva again recreated her frame – 100 instances higher than her previous heavenly frame and initiated diverse mantras together with the Panchakshari. Consequent to this, Parvati won fame and got here to be referred to as Shiva-Gnanam Gnana Prasunamba or Gnana Prasunambika Devi. Cursed to come to be a ghost, Ghanakala prayed at Srikalahasti for 15 years and after chanting the Bhairava Mantra typically Shiva restored her unique form. Mayura, Chandra and Devendra were additionally free of their curses after taking bath within the river Swarnamukhi and praying at Srikalahasti. To Bhakta Markandeya, Shiva regarded in Srikalahasti and preached that a Guru alone should make esoteric teachings and, therefore he is Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara. As in line with some other legend, Vayu and Adishesha had a dispute to find out who’s advanced, to show the superiority Adishesha encircled the Kailasam, Vayu attempted to cast off this encircle by way of growing twister. Because of the twister, eight parts from kailasam fell into eight extraordinary locations which might be Trincomalee, Srikalahasti, Thiruchiramalai, Thiruenkoimalai, Rajathagiri, Neerthagiri, Ratnagiri, and Suwethagiri Thirupangeeli.