Srikalahasti Temple is located in Srikalahasti town which is 37.2 km away from Tirupathi district. It is called “Dakshina Kailsam” of Andhra Pradesh and is situated near the banks of the Swarna Mukhi River. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is in the form of Vayulinga. In this temple, Shiva is called as SriKalahasteswara and Maa Parvati as Gnana Prasunambika Devi. The temple was constructed during the Cholas regime. This temple is unique among all the temples in India. There are a few astonishing stories behind this temple which is famous among folks.

Urna Nabhu was a Shiva devotee and a famous sculptor. He used to outsmart Lord Brahma for which he got angry and cursed him to become a spider. After realizing his mistake, Urna Nabhu pleaded Brahma to take away the curse. Brahma replied that he couldn't take back the curse but it would be removed by your devotion to Lord Shiva.

Because of the curse, Urna Nabhu became a spider and started living in Bilva Vana. The spider used to take a dip in the Swarna Mukhi river and prayed to Shiva every day.

One day there was a meeting held in Kailasa, all the deities went to see Shiva. While he was getting ready he realized that his favorite snake was missing. Nagaraja went to meet his wife Nagarani and came late to Kailasa. Lord Shiva cursed him to live on earth until his curse was finished. 

Once there was a man named Hasti went to Kailasam seeking the position of gatekeeper but he disturbed the Shiva and Parvati. Maa Parvati cursed Hasti to become an elephant. When he cried over the curse, Parvati told Hasti that he could pray to lord Shiva in Dakishna Kailasam for breaking the curse.

Due to curses Urna Nabu (Spider), Nagaraja (Snake), and Hasti (Elephant) started living in the forest (Bilva Vana). Every day those three took a dip in the river and prayed to Lord Shiva in their way.

Spider used to create webs on the Shivling to protect Shivling from the sun rays. Snake used to remove those webs. Prayed to the god with snake stones (Nag Mani) whereas the Elephant cleans all those stones, showers the water on the ling, and offers flowers and leaves. It became a daily routine for three of them. One day, they got suspicious that something was going on. Their offerings to Shivling were replaced with some other things. Curious to know the spider hidden inside the temple. After some time, the snake entered the temple and was about to pray, when it saw the spider hissed at it. Meanwhile, the elephant came to the temple and saw the snake. Three started fighting, snake bit the elephant. Unable to bear the pain elephant trampled on the snake and spider. Three died on the spot. Lord Shiva appeared before them and provided them with Moksha for their sacrifice and devotion towards him. From that day onwards, the place was named as SriKalaHasti. Sri means Spider, Kala means Snake, and Hasti means Elephant, and the god was named as SriKalaHasteshwara.

Another story was about Thinnadu who was a reincarnation of Arjuna of Dwaparayuga. Thinnadu was a hunter and his family lives on hunting. Whatever he hunts he used to offer it to lord Shiva. One day Thinnadu went to offer his hunting to the god and noticed blood was coming out of the shivling. To stop bleeding, he offered both his eyes. Impressed by his devotion, Srikalahasteeswara provided him with Moksha.

Apart from these historical stories, the temple is famous for Rahu-ketu poojas, Shani dosha nivaran pooja, and Gou pooja. People all over India visit this temple to nullify the bad effects of Rahu-ketu. It has also a specialty that all the temples are closed during eclipses while it remains open. Mahashivaratri was celebrated grandly in the temple including 13 days rathotsavam in the temple streets. 

This is the story of the Srikalahasti temple.

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