Srikalahasteeswara temple

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Srikalahasti Temple
Srikalahasteeswara swamy vaari devasthanam
Sri Kala Hasti.jpg
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictChittoor
DeitySrikalahasteeswara(Shiva),
Gnana Prasunambika Devi,[1](Parvati)
FestivalsMaha Sivaratri
Location
LocationSrikalahasti
StateAndhra Pradesh
CountryIndia
Srikalahasteeswara temple is located in Andhra Pradesh
Srikalahasteeswara temple
Location in Andhra Pradesh
Geographic coordinates13°44′58″N 79°41′54″E / 13.74944°N 79.69833°E / 13.74944; 79.69833Coordinates: 13°44′58″N 79°41′54″E / 13.74944°N 79.69833°E / 13.74944; 79.69833
Architecture
Type[2]
CreatorRajendra Chola I
Website
Srikalahasti

Srikalahasti Temple is located in the town of Srikalahasti, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is one of the most famous Shiva temples in South India, and is said to be the site where Kannappa was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Siva stopped him and granted him moksha.

Srikalahasti temple, situated 36 km away from Tirupati is famous for its Vayu linga, one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams, representing wind. The temple is also regarded as Rahu-Ketu kshetra and Dakshina Kailasam. The inner temple was constructed around 5th century and the outer temple was constructed in the 11th century by the Rajendra Chola I, later Chola kings and the Vijayanagara kings. Shiva in his aspect as Vayu is worshiped as Kalahasteeswara.

Legend[]

During the early days of creation, Vayu performed penance for thousands of years to "Karpoora lingam" (Karpooram means camphor). Pleased with his penance, Shiva manifested before him and said, " O Vayu Deva! Though you are dynamic in nature, you stayed here without movement and did penance for me. I'm pleased with your devotion. I shall grant you three boons". Vayu said, "Swami! I want to be present everywhere in this world. I want to be an integral part of every Jiva who is none other than the manifestation of Paramatma. I want to name this Karpoora Linga, which represents you, after me. Samba Siva said," Your are qualified for these three boons. As per your wish, you will be spread throughout this world. Without you there will be no life. This linga of mine will forever be known all over through your name, and all Suras, Asuras, Garuda, Gaandharvas, Kinneras, kimpurushas, Siddhas, Saadhvis, humans and others will worship this Lingam". Shiva disappeared after granting these boons. Thereafter, this Karpoora Vayu Lingam is worshipped by all Lokas (worlds).[3]

There are several other legends connected to the glory of the temple. Prominent among them is of Parvati who was cursed by Shiva to discard her heavenly body and assume the human form. To get rid of the above curse Parvati did a long penance here. Pleased with her deep devotion Shiva again recreated her body – a hundred times better than her previous heavenly body and initiated various mantras including the Panchakshari. Consequent to this, Parvati gained fame and came to be known as Shiva-Gnanam Gnana Prasunamba or Gnana Prasunambika Devi.

Cursed to become a ghost, Ghanakala prayed at Srikalahasti for 15 years and after chanting the Bhairava Mantra many times Shiva restored her original form. Mayura, Chandra and Devendra were also freed from their curses after taking bath in the river Swarnamukhi and praying at Srikalahasti. To Bhakta Markandeya, Shiva appeared in Srikalahasti and preached that a Guru alone could make esoteric teachings and, therefore he is Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara.

As per another legend, Vayu and Adishesha had a dispute to find out who is superior, to prove the superiority Adishesha encircled the Kailasam, Vayu tried to remove this encircle by creating Twister. Because of the twister, 8 parts from kailasam fell into 8 different places which are Trincomalee, Srikalahasti, Thiruchiramalai, Thiruenkoimalai, Rajathagiri, Neerthagiri, Ratnagiri, and Suwethagiri Thirupangeeli.[4]

History[]

Around the 11th century, the Chola king Rajendra Chola I king renovated the temple and constructed the main structure.[5] The temple received contributions from various ruling dynasties like Chola Dynasty and Vijayanagar Empire. The hundred pillared hall with intricate carvings was commissioned during the regime of Krishnadeva Raya during 1516 AD.[6]

The presiding deity of the temple Gnana Prasunambika Devi was born in Vellathurar Gotra of Senguntha Kaikolar. Customary for the bride to bring home the dowry and submit it by these Vellathurar peoples at the Shiva Parvati wedding held here.[7][8]

Architecture[]

The temple was built by Rajendra Chola I, The 120 feet (37 m) high main gopuram and the 100 pillar mandapam were constructed by Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagara king in 1516. The presiding image of Shiva in the form of Linga is made of white stone in a shape resembling trunk of elephant. The temple faces south, while the sanctum faces west. The temple is located on the foothills of a hill, while there is also a belief that the temple was carved out of a monolithic hill. There is a rock cut shrine of Vinayaka, 9 ft (2.7 m) below the ground level. Vallaba Ganapathi, Mahalakshmi-Ganpathi and Sahasra Lingeswara are some of the rare images found in the temple. There is a large 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 two water bodies associated with the namely, Surya Pushkarani and Chandra Pushkarani.[6]

Religious importance[]

The temple is revered as one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalam where the presiding deity is worshipped as Vayu linga (air). This temple is considered "Kashi of the South".[9] Saivaite saints of the first century sang about this temple. This is the only temple in India which remains open during Solar and lunar eclipses, while, all other temples are closed.[10] This temple is famous for Rahu-Kethu pooja. It is believed that performing this pooja will ward the people from astrological effects of Rahu and Kethu.[10] As per Hindu legend, Kalahatiswara was worshipped at this place by Brahma during all four Yugas. Arjuna, the Pandava prince during Mahabharata is believed to have worshipped the presiding deity. The legend of Kannappa, who was a hunter and turned into an ardent devotee of Shiva accidentally, is associated with the temple. The temple also finds mention in the works of Nakeerar and the Nalvars, namely, Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar and Manickavasagar in the canonical works of Tirumura.[6] As the temple is revered in Tevaram, it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 275 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon.[11]

Inspired by meditation, Lord Shiva appeared to him and gave him the boon he asked for. No longer is this lingam bearing your name and saying. That ages will pass and Kalakasti is gaining popularity as a heavenly place in the Panchaputra sites.

This vayu lingam was worshiped by Mother Parvati. Sand Base Kanchipuram Ekampareswarar Water Thiruvanaikaval fire Like Thiruvannamalai. Goddess Parvathi meditated on Lord Shiva in this temple. The history of the temple is also mentioned here.

Culture[]

The shrine of Amman located parallel to the Shiva shrine

The temple follows Saivite tradition.[citation needed] Maha Shivaratri is the most important festival when lakhs of devotees offer prayers to seek the blessings of the Lord. Mahasivaratri Brahmotsavams are celebrated in par with Maha Shivaratri for 13 days during which the Utsava murtis of Siva and Parvati will be taken on Vahanams in a procession around the temple streets.[12]

Temple tower collapse and Reconstruction[]

The temple in reconstruction, view from Kannappa Hill near the ...river (2016)

The 15 century iconic Rajagopuram of Srikalahasti Temple, built by Sri Krishnadevaraya, collapsed on 26 May 2010.[13] [14] As per Archaeology Department, the temple tower stood on a foundation that had a depth of only one-and-a-half feet and had a thin crack 25 years before it collapsed which expanded as years passed by.[15][16]

The Rajagopuram is reconstructed again in its original form at the same location with a budget of 45 crores and is consecrated on 18, January, 2017.[13]

References[]

  1. ^ "Srikalahasti Temple History".
  2. ^ Aguilar, Rafael; Torrealva, Daniel; Moreira, Susana; Pando, Miguel A.; Ramos, Luis F. (2018). Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Springer. ISBN 9783319994413. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Official Wesbsite of Srikalahasti Temple". Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  4. ^ http://www.gneelivaneshwarartemple.tnhrce.in/History.html
  5. ^ Subramaniam, T. s. (4 June 2010). "History begin". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c Harshananda, Swami (2012). Hindu Pilgrim centres (2nd ed.). Bangalore, India: Ramakrishna Math. pp. 53–7. ISBN 978-81-7907-053-6.
  7. ^ "வெள்ளாத்தூர் அம்மன் கோவில் பால்குட விழா - Dinamalar Tamil News".
  8. ^ "கடந்த ஆடியில் கேட்டது; நடப்பு ஆடியில் நடக்குது; வெள்ளாத்தூர் அம்மன் கோவில் தூர் வாரும் பணி - Dinamalar Tamil News".
  9. ^ "Sivaratri Brahmotsavams begin". Srikalahasteeswar Temple administration. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b "Temples, barring Srikalahasti, closed for lunar eclipse". The Hindu. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  11. ^ Sundarar. "Seventh Thirumurai". Thevaram.org. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  12. ^ "Srikalahasti gears up for Mahasivaratri Brahmotsavam". Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b "Rajagopuram at Srikalahasti Temple to be opened on January 18". Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  14. ^ "Srikalahasti temple tower crashes". The Hindu. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  15. ^ P Neelima (27 September 2010). "Srikalahasti 'rajagopuram' an architectural wonder," The Times of India
  16. ^ Subramaniam, T. s. (4 June 2010). "Blow to History". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 March 2017.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""