Panchabootha Sthalam-Sri Kalahasti (Contd)

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Goddess Parvati who was once cursed by the Lord to assume a human body, engaged herself in a long penance here which pleased the Lord. He presented her with a body that was incomparable to the older form and initiated her with various mantras including the Panchakshari which ultimately bestowed Her with Shiva Jnanam or the knowledge of the absolute truth. She was henceforth then worshipped as Gnanaprasunambika here.

Other legends that go with this temple are the restoration of the original form from that of a ghost to Ghanakala who worshipped the Lord with the Bhairava mantra, the redemption of Chandra, Mayura and Devendra from their curses and Lord Shiva's proclamation of the importance of a 'Guru' or the spiritual master to Markandeya, deeming the Guru to be Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

The Temple

The temple of Kalahasti is located in the Chitoor district of Andhra Pradesh about 35 to 40 kilometers from Tirupati. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva worshipped as Kalahasteeswara. Goddess Parvati is addressed as Gnanaprasunambika. The temple is surrounded by two sacred hills, the Durgamba temple is found on the Northern hill, while the southern hill adorns the temple of Kannappa Nayanar. It is found on the banks of the river Swarna Mukhi.

The temple initially was constructed by the Pallavas. Later the Cholas, Vijayanagara kings and the Nattukotta Chettiyar of Devakotta have also contributed to the temple in a big way.

The Linga here is Swayambu or self manifested untouched even by the priests. A lamp flickers in the sanctum indicating the presence of air, reconfirming it as the 'Vaayu Sthalam'.

The foot of the Linga in the sanctum presents the spider, the middle part the tusks of an elephant and the top has a five headed cobra, thereby immortalizing the devotion of the three.

The temple is well known for the pooja of Rahu and Ketu among the nine planets as per Astrology to be redeemed from the clutches of Sarpa Dosham.

So lets worship the Lord who is in the form of air in Kalahasti, a form that is the most closest of all others, present in one's very breath until one loses oneself in formlessness.