Srikalahasti Temple islocated in the town of Srikalahasti in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is one of the most famous Shiva templesin South India. Srikalahasti derives its name from his ardent devotees:-
1. Spider called sri
2. Serpent called kala
3. Elephant called Hasti
1. Spider called sri
2. Serpent called kala
3. Elephant called Hasti
Srikalahasti temple, situated 36 km away from Tirupatiis famous for its Vayu linga, one of
the Panchabhoota Sthalams, representing wind.
The temple is also regarded as Rahu-Ketukshetra and Dakshina Kasi. Theinner temple was constructed around 5th century and the outer temple wasconstructed in the 12th century by the Cholakings and the Vijayanagara kings.
Lord Shiva in his aspect as Vayu is worshiped as Kalahasteeswara.
Srikalahasti got its name
because in days of spider (Sri), Snake (Kala) and Elephant (hasti), spider
worshipped the lord by weaving temples and images of Lord Shiva and protect itfrom dust, and the Snakes worshipped the lingam with its gem, and the elephantused to shower the lingam daily, bringing water from the Suvarnamukhi River. One
day, the elephant mistook the spider’s web for dust and washed it away, hoping
to cleanse the lingam. The snake’s jewel also got washed away. As a result the
snake and spider were infuriated. The snake slithered up the elephant’s trunk,
killing itself in the process. The elephant ran and dashing its trunk againstthe lingam. The spider, which had embraced the lingam, was crushed to death.The elephant also died of the snake’s poison. The lord decided to grant them moksham, of their devotion. The snakeand elephant went on to heaven where
as the spider was reborn as a King.
