Vayu Lingam
(Air)
(IPLTOURS)
Fire, Water, Earth, Space and Air are the five elements that govern all the Organisms in the universe and Shiva established five forms in the name of the elements. Shiva established Arunachaleswar (Fire), Jambukeswar (Jala or Water), Ekambareshwar (Earth) and Natarajar (Space or Akash) in Tamil Nadu and Kalahastiswara (Air) in Andhra Pradesh. Srikalahasti Temple is located in the town in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the most famous Shiva temples in South India. There are several legends behind Sri Kalahasti and is said to be the site where Kannappa prepared to offer both his eyes to cover the blood flowed from the eyes of the Siva ling and Siva stopped him besides granting him Moksha.
Srikalahasti Temple
Srikalahasti temple is situated 36 km away from Tirupati is famous for its Vayuling, represent Vayu or Wind one of the Pancha Bhoota Ling, The temple is also considered to be Dakshina Kailash and Rahu-Ketu Kshetra. The temple was constructed in the fifth century and expanded in the twelfth century by the Chola and Vijayanagara kings. There are several legends connected to the glory of the temple. Parvati was cursed by Shiva to be removed from her heavenly body and to assume human form. Parvathi performed a long penance at the holy shrine to get relief from the curse. Shiva pleased with her devotion and presented her body and enlightened with Panchakshari and other Mantras. Parvathi gained Shiva Gnanam and became famous with the name Gnana Prasunamba. Mayura, Moon and Indra also got relief from their curses after taking bath in the river Swarnamukhi and praying to Shiva. Shiva blessed Markandeya at this holy place and presented preachings as Guru. Shiva remain here with the three forms of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara.
Vayu performed penance for years together with the Karpoora (Camphor) Ling. Shiva pleased with his penance and manifested before him. Shiva told Vayu that he has made penance without movement and he is pleased with his devotion. He has granted three boons to Vayu. Vayu asked for his presence everywhere in the universe, to be an integral part of every Jeeva, manifestation of Paramatma and to name the Karpoora Linga with his name. Shiva informed that Vayu is qualified for these three boons. Shiva informed that he will be spread throughout the universe and without him there will be no life to Jeeva. The Third boon is that the Karpura Linga will remain forever known with the name of Vayu and worshipped by all Gods, Asuras, Garuda, Gaandharva, Kinnera, Kimpurusha, Siddha, Human and others. The Karpoora Vayu Lingam is worshipped by all Lokas.
Sri Kalahasti got its name because of the worship of a spider (sri), snake (kala) and an elephant (hasti) with great devotion. The spider in the inner sanctum worshipped the Lord by weaving elaborate temples and images of Shiva. One day a heavy wind came up and caused fire destroying the spider’s offerings. The Spider got angry and was about to swing in the flame, omitting its ego on life. Shiva pleased with its devotion, and appeared granting a boon to the spider. The spider requested moksha, and it became one in his name Sri KalaHasteeswara. The Elephant (Hasti) performed Abhishekam to the Lord with the water brought from the SwarnaMukhi River in its trunk after removing all the offerings of Snake (Kala) from the Idol. The Snake got angry and entered into the trunk of the Elephant. It started annoying the Elephant. The Elephant banged its head to the wall and died. The Snake (Kala) in its trunk also died along with the Elephant. Shiva was pleased with their worship and present Moksha. Thus with these three Sri, Kala and Hasti, the Shrine became famous as Sri Kala Hasti and Shiva as Sri Kalahasteeswara.
Kannappa Temple
The story of Kannappa is quite interesting in the legend of SriKalahasti. Kannappa did not know the worship but he satisfied Shiva with his superstition. Kannappa is the son of Nagari , King of the nearby forest to SriKalahasti born with the blessings of Karthikeya, son of Shiva. His childish name is Tinnadu. The boy became a great Archer among the tribes and used to teach others. Once he chased a boar in the forest and went inside the forest. He found a small temple wherein there is only Shiva Ling. He was attracted to the Shiva Ling. Since he does not know the way to worship, he has offered the meat that he brought along with him and left the place. A poor Brahmin from the village at a distance used to come to the temple every fortnight and used to worship the Shiva Ling after cleaning the temple. The very next day he arrived at the temple and found the meat at Shiva Ling.
He was shocked and felt that the meat was put down at Shiva Ling by the animals in the forest. He has cleaned the area with the fresh water of the nearby stream, worshipped, satisfied and left to his village. The next day Tinnadu came and offered huge meat to Shiva. He sat at the Shiva Ling and talked with the Ling before leaving, since he has not known about worship and rituals. He used to come regularly with the hunted meat since he feels satisfaction and peace of mind in talking with Shiva. One day he arrived with meat in his two hands, water in his mouth and flowers on his head. He has washed the Ling splitting water in his mouth and offered meat by placing the flowers on the head of the Ling. He talked with Ling for some time and left for his residence.
The Brahmin came on the next day and saw the meat, flowers and split on the Ling. He felt that it was done by human beings and not animals. He has prayed to Shiva to safeguard himself. Shiva explained about the other devotee. The Brahmin hides on the back of a bush with interest to see the devotee. Tinna came and saw the left eye of the Shiva Ling oozing blood. He has done all the methods to prevent the oozing but failed. Then Tinna took out his eye with his knife and affixed it to the eye of the Shiva Ling. The oozing stopped and the right eye started oozing. Thinna gets ready to take over his second eye putting his leg at the eye of the ling oozing blood. Shiva appeared in his original form and gave back the eye of Thinna. Shiva was pleased with the devotion of Thinna and the Brahmain given Moksha. Thinna who presented his eye (Kanna in tamil) became famous as Kannappa
Srikalahasti is popularly known as South (Dakshina) Kailash. The Ganapati shrine is in the underground of the outer bailey, and in the inner bailey the shrines of Shiva and Parvati exist. The devotees have to perform darshan of Ganapati before entering into Sanctum. The air will not blow in the Sanctum and a lamp will continuously light in the Sanctum despite the lack of air movement. The Vayu Ling appear though there is no specific lighting. There will be no windows to the Sanctum. The Shiva Ling is in white colour and considered to be Swambhuh. Kalahasti is surrounded by two hills. The Durgamba temple on the north hill and the shrine of Kanneshwara on the south hill, in memory of the great devotee of Shiva named Kannappa, who offered his eyes to the Lord. There is Subramanya temple on one of the hills. Swarnamukhi River flows in the north and it touches the foot of the temple.
The priests and devotees are prohibited to touch the main Shiva Ling. Abhishek will be performed by pouring a mixture of water, milk, camphor and panchamrita. Sandal paste, flowers and a sacred thread will be offered to the Festival Idol only. It has a wide and ancient tower over the main gate of 120 feet height and the temple is carved to the side of the hill. King Krishnadeva Raya built this temple with elaborately designed pillars, altars, etc. Dakshanamurthy, whose name represents the God facing south direction installed in Kalahasti Temple. He sits in the North facing South direction.
Swarna Mukhi means a person’s golden face. There is legend on the river Swarnamukhi and Srikalahasti. Sri Kalahasti is on the banks of the river. The river flows from south to north. The river born at Agasthyamala near Anjaneya Gutta of Chandragiri Hills and passes connecting Sri Agastheswara Swamy Temple, Mukkoti,Sri Parasu Rameswara Swamy Temple, Gudimallam, Sri Parameswara Swamy Temple, Yogimallavarm, Sri Moolasthaneswara Swamy Temple, Gajula Mandyam and reaches SriKalahasti Temple. The river Bheema joins with Swarnamukhi at Sri Another legend is that Lord Siva instructed Sage Vashishta to proceed, along with Arundhati to Kalahasti. Vashishta has not found water in the vicinity. He performed penance about Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma told Lord Siva about the penance of Vashishta and Lord Siva freed Ganga from his matted hair allowing her to follow Brahma.
Ganga sparks in golden colour rushed to this place. Hence the river got its name Suvarnamukhi. The name of the river Utttara Vahini changed to Swarnamukhi on the request of Sage Agastya. It is believed that at the time of constructing Sri Kalahasti Temple, the labour used to wash their hands and foot in the waters of Swarna Mukhi river near the Temple in the evening, When they would dip their hands into the water, they would found gold coins in their hands.
Those who have Rahu planet in birth chart in bad places induce difficulties in diagnosing diseases, ancestor curses, additions and frustration.The malefic Planet Ketu signifies mental illness, detachment from material wealth and family ties. If Ketu Planet is unfavourable in birth chart causes frustration, lack of knowledge and curses from ancestors. The worship of Kalasarpa Dosha Nivaran is famous in SriKalahasti. The devotees affected by the bad planets in their horoscope (i.e.) where the remaining planets are placed between Rahu and Kethu, then they are treated as affected persons of Kala Sarpa Dosha. The Dosha will be reduced by worshipping in Sri Kalahasthi. The Dosha effect in delay of marriage or problems in marital life, without having job, business, financial problems, without children after marriage, health problems etc., Shiva is the head of all planets and the worship of Shiva reduces the effect of Kala Sarpa Dosha. Devotees perform the Nivarana Pooja in the powerful Shiva Temple Kalahasti and get development in all aspects by reducing the Dosha.
The temple was open from 6 AM to night 8-PM on all days. Seva performed throughout the day but it is better to perform Seva on Chaturthi, Panchami and Pournami (Full moon day). Devotees may perform the seva to Hanumantha, the sect of Shiva on Tuesday. There is accommodation facility in the guest houses and Satrams of Devastanam together with private guest houses. There are medium and star hotels for accommodation.
