Saturday, November 27, 2010

Karthika masam visit to Sri KalaHasti

Kartika masam is the holiest month for Hindus as it is favorite month for Lord Shiva and Vishnu. As I am in Kadapa mom planned to Sri Kalahasti which is considered as the Dakshin Kailash and one of the most famous Siva's temples in South India . As Sri did not visited the place we planned on last Friday.

Sri Kalahasti temple, situated 36 km away from Tirupati is famous for its Vayu deva temple, which is the only shrine for the God of Wind in India. It is also one among the Pancha Bhuta Lingams. It is situated on the banks of Suvaramukhi river. The temple is also associated with Rahu and Kethu Sarpa dosha nivarana pujas. There is a lamp inside the inner sanctum that is constantly flickering despite the lack of air movement inside. The air-linga can be observed to move even when the priests close off the entrance to the main deity room, which does not have any windows. One can see the flames on several ghee lamps flicker as if blown by moving air. The linga is white and is considered Swayambhu. 

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

At Sri Kalahasti, Lord Shiva tested the unshakable devotion of Thinnadu later called as Baktha Kannappa.Kannappa, a devotee, was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Lord Siva stopped him and granted him mukti.

As last friday was Ekadashi  some special pujas were going on to Lord. We took the Deeparadhana ticket where limited number of devotees were allowed into the Garbha gudi and can see the various deeparadhanas performed to deities for almost 20 minutes. With good satisfaction of seeing the deities form very near we returned to kadapa the same day.


No comments: