Srikalahasti Temple – Timings, Poojas, Contact Details

Srikalahasti Temple is a famous ancient hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located at Srikalahasti in Andhra Pradesh. As per legend, it is here that Kannappar, who is one of the 63 Nayanmars and a staunch devotee of Shiva, offered his eyes to stop the blood oozing out from the Shiva Linga. Moved by his devotion, Shiva reinstated both his eyes and granted him mukti. This temple is also one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in Thevaram. It is also known as ‘Dakshina Kasi’ or ‘Kasi of the South’. This temple is one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams representing wind and hence the presiding deity is known as Vayu Linga. The temple is famous for Rahu Kethu Kaala Sarpa Nivarana Pooja that is strongly believed to alleviate the ill effects in one’s life which includes ill health, poor business and financial status, job related issues, obstacles & delays in marriage and inability to have a child after marriage. Hence lakhs of devotees throng the temple for worshipping the Lord and performing the Rahu Kethu pooja.

Interestingly, this temple is kept open even during solar and lunar eclipses unlike other temples.    Maha Shivaratri is the most important festival celebrated at this temple attracting innumerable devotees.

Daily Routine:

Rahu-Kethu pooja details:

Devotees need not buy the pooja items on their own. It will be provided at the pooja ticket counter on purchase of the ticket. The ticket price differs between Rs.500 to Rs.5000. It varies depending upon the pooja location which may be inside or outside the temple and the number of people accompanying the person intended to perform the pooja. Poojas are conducted in batches in various halls. Once the devotees reach the pooja hall, a priest gives instructions about the procedure to be followed by them. The pooja completes in less than half an hour following which the silver idols of Rahu and Kethu that you posses, have to be dropped in the hundi inside the temple as directed by the priest.

Do’s and Don’ts:

• Take head bath on the day of performing the pooja.
• Make it early to the temple and offer milk for abhishekam of Rudra Padam before heading to Rahu Kethu Pooja.
• Do not prostrate in front of Rahu and Kethu as a sign of worship.
• Leave to your home from the temple once the pooja is done. It is not advisable to visit other temples and houses after the pooja.
• Offer food for at least a few poor and destitute once the pooja is completed.

Rahu Kethu pooja at this temple is performed every day between 06:00 AM and 06:00 PM. But it is recommended to perform the pooja during raahu kaalam to get the best desired results. Rahu Kaalam for each day is as follows:

Temple Timings:

06:00 AM to 12:00 AM

04:00 PM to 08:30 PM

Temple Address:

Srikalahasti Temple, Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh – 517644, Chittoor district.

Temple Contact Details:

Phone: 085782 22240

How to reach Kalahasti:

By Air:

Tirupathi airport and Chennai airport are the nearest airports to the temple at a distance of 27 km and 134 km respectively.

By Rail:

SriKalahasti has its own railway station which is 3 km from the temple.

By Road:

Adequate number of buses are available to the town from major cities.