Srikalahasti decked up for Maha Shivaratri

Srikalahasti Temple Srikalahasti Temple

Posted by AI on 2025-01-09 22:13:48 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-05-05 15:17:34

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The renowned Srikalahasteeswara temple is all set for the Maha Shivaratri celebrations on Saturday. The 13-day Brahmotsavams, which began on February 13, will conclude on February 26. The temple draws a large number of devotees on Shivaratri, and this year, it is expected that around three lakh people will visit the temple to offer prayers. The temple management has made extensive arrangements to accommodate the devotees. Known for its historical significance, the temple's importance has been growing year after year. Srikalahasteeswara is revered as Vayu Linga, one of Lord Shiva's Pancha-Bhoota Lingas, and is also referred to as 'South Kasi'.

On the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri, the temple management begins the festivities by offering prayers to Srikalahasteeswara's devoted follower, Kannappa, a hunter. According to legend, Kannappa plucked out his eye to offer it to the Srikalahasteeswara Linga after noticing that one of the eyes of the Shiva Linga was bleeding. Upon placing the first eye on the Linga, the other eye of the Linga also began to bleed. In his devotion, Kannappa plucked out his second eye, but as he had become blind, he placed his toe on the Linga to guide him in placing the second eye. Lord Shiva then appeared before him and blessed him by restoring his eyesight. The temple management, recognizing his deep devotion, begins the Maha Shivaratri festivities by offering prayers first to Kannappa at a hillock near the main temple of Srikalahasti.

The celebrations begin with the Dwajarohanam on the first day, followed by the Dwajarohanam of Srikalahasteeswara, symbolized by three creatures: a spider at the bottom, a five-hooded snake on top, and elephant tusks on either side. This form of the deity is known as Srikalahasteeswara. The temple is also renowned for its connection to Dhoorjati, a famous poet and one of the eight court poets of King Sri Krishnadevaraya. He was a devout follower of Lord Srikalahasteeswara and expressed his devotion in his works 'Srikalahasteeswara Mahatyam' and 'Srikalahasteeswara Shatakam,' which became widely popular.</p><p>In recent years, Siva Deeksha has become a significant practice at the temple during Maha Shivaratri. Devotees take part in this ritual by donning a special costume and adhering to strict norms of abstinence as part of the Deeksha process.

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