Temples: Srikalahasti Temple – Pancha Bhoota Sthalas – 04/05
💨 Vayu Lingam (Air Element of Shiva)
🕉️ Introduction
The Srikalahasti Temple, located in Andhra Pradesh, represents Vayu (Air) — the fourth among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas where Lord Shiva is worshipped as the very essence of one of the five natural elements.
Here, Shiva is venerated as Kalahasteeswara, and Parvati as Gnanaprasunambika Devi. The temple is globally renowned not only for its elemental significance but also for its potent Rahu-Ketu pujas, attracting devotees from across India and abroad.
💨 Element: Vayu (Air)
Vayu is the breath of life, representing movement, invisibility, subtlety, and prana. Just as air cannot be seen but is felt, so too is the Shiva Linga at Srikalahasti — felt deeply by spiritual seekers.
🛕 Temple Overview
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 📍 Location | Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh |
| 🕉️ Deity | Kalahasteeswara (Shiva – Air Lingam) |
| 🌸 Consort | Gnanaprasunambika |
| 💨 Bhoota Element | Vayu (Air) |
| 🧘 Energy Speciality | Best for removal of Sarpa Doshas, Rahu-Ketu afflictions |
| 🛕 Architecture Style | Dravidian – with inner sanctum carved out of hill rock |
| 🪔 Key Ritual Focus | Rahu-Ketu Poojas and Vayu-based energy healing |
📖 Sacred Legend
In ancient times, a spider (Sri), snake (Kala), and elephant (Hasti) worshipped Lord Shiva here — each in their own way.
- The spider spun webs to shield the Linga from dust.
- The snake placed flowers on the Linga and coiled around it.
- The elephant bathed it daily with water and decorated it.
Eventually, they came into conflict but were forgiven by Shiva, who granted them liberation and named the place Sri-Kala-Hasti.
🌬️ The Vayu Lingam – Air Made Manifest
The Lingam here is self-manifested (Swayambhu) and unique:
- A perpetual breeze is felt around the Lingam, even within the sanctum.
- A flame lit nearby flickers unnaturally, despite no visible wind — testifying to the Vayu tattva.
This temple celebrates Shiva as the unseen power behind all life and movement, embodied in the breath (prana).
🛕 Architectural Features
- Built in 5th century CE, expanded under Chola and Vijayanagara dynasties.
- The main sanctum is inside a cave, carved out of a hill rock.
- The Rahu-Ketu Mandapam near the sanctum hosts daily dosha nivarana pujas.
- The 100-pillared mandapam with stunning Yali sculptures.
- Towering gopuram over the main entrance, rebuilt after 2010 collapse.
🔯 Rahu-Ketu Dosha Nivarana
This temple is globally famous for removing:
- Rahu-Ketu Doshas
- Sarpa Dosha
- Kala Sarpa Dosha
- Pitru Dosha
Daily Rahu-Ketu poojas are performed under expert priests, especially beneficial on:
- Sundays
- Tuesdays
- New Moons (Amavasya)
- Eclipses (Grahana)
⚠️ Note:
These rituals are performed without entering the main sanctum, making them inclusive for all.
🌺 Major Festivals
| Festival | Description |
|---|---|
| 🪔 Mahashivaratri | Grand night-long pujas and lingodbhava darshan |
| 🌕 Karthika Deepam | Celebrated with lighting across temple and hill |
| 🧘 Chaturdashi Abhishekam | Monthly special for Shiva |
| 🌑 Grahana Days | Special Rahu-Ketu poojas for relief from planetary afflictions |
📿 Spiritual Benefits
For Devotees:
- Relief from astrological troubles, especially Rahu-Ketu doshas
- Freedom from ancestral karma
- Help with mental peace, depression, breathing problems
- Excellent for meditation, self-realization, and overcoming fears
📜 Scriptures and Saints
- Mentioned in Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana, and Linga Purana.
- Revered by Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandar, the Shaiva Nayanmars.
- Associated with Adi Shankaracharya, who visited and energized the Shakti Peetham here.
वायुरूपं शिवं वन्दे कालहस्ते निवासिनम्।
vāyurūpaṁ śivaṁ vande kālahaste nivāsinam
“I bow to Shiva, the embodiment of Air, who resides at Kalahasti.”
🗺️ How to Visit
- Nearest City: Tirupati (36 km)
- By Train: Srikalahasti Railway Station
- By Air: Tirupati Airport
- By Road: Frequent buses and taxis from Tirupati and Chennai
🧘 For Modern Life
In today’s fast-paced, polluted, and mind-heavy world, Srikalahasti provides the clarity and breath of fresh pranic life. The temple doesn’t just remove astrological obstacles; it restores trust in the invisible divine air that sustains us.
🔚 Closing Mantra
ॐ नमः शिवाय वायुरूपाय नमः।
Om Namah Shivaya Vayurupaya Namah
Salutations to Lord Shiva as the Air Element.