Srikalahasti temple is a holy place 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. Site where Kannappa, one of the 63 Saivite Nayanars, was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Lord Siva stopped him and granted mukti.
This temple was constructed in the 12th century by the Chola king, Rajarajendra. Vayu incarnated as Lord Shiva and is worshipped as Kalahasteeswara. This temples main idol is the vayu (air) linga.
The temple is also associated with Rahu and Kethu (of the nine grahams or celestial bodies in the Indian astrological scheme). The river Suvarnamukhi takes the northerly course at Sri Kalahasthi almost washing the west wall of the famous Sri Kalahasthi temple in the Chittor district of Andhra Pradesh.
Sri Kalahasti is named after the staunch devotees of Lord Shiva. They were the Spider (Sri), the Serpent (Kala) and the Elephant (Hasti). Appeased with their unflinching devotion, Lord Shiva gave them a boon that their names be merged with the Vayulinga and called as Sri Kalahasteeswara.
>City(s) = Sri Kalahasti; State(s) = AP; Country = India.
>Title = Sri Kalahasteeswara swami temple, Sri Kalahasti, AP, India - Video.
>Keywords = Sri Kalahasteeswara swami vari temple, Srikalahasti, AP, India, Tirupati,river Swarnamukhi,river Pennar,Kannappa,Lord Siva,vayu linga,Rahu Kethu,Chittor district,Andhra,Spider,Serpent,Elephant
