29 Oct 2024        09:56:59 am

Current Affairs

Srikalahasti Temple

Tags : Srikalahasti Temple

Topic: Temples

Why in the news?

• The Srikalahasteeswara Devasthanam (or Srikalahasti temple) has proposed a comprehensive tourism development project under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme to enhance the temple’s facilities and attract more pilgrims. 
• A detailed proposal with an outlay of Rs 114.06 crore has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Tourism.

Source: The New Indian Express

About Srikalahasti Temple:

• It is located in the town of Srikalahasti, in Tirupati district in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
• According to regional tradition, it is said to be the site where Kannappa was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the linga before Shiva stopped him and granted him moksha.
• The inner temple was constructed around the 5th century CE and the outer temple was constructed in the 11th century by the Rajendra Chola I and other Chola emperors such as Rajaditya Chola, Rajaraja Chola I, Rajadhiraja Chola I, Kulottunga Chola I, Kulottunga Chola III and Vijayanagar Empire. 
• The 37 m. high main gopuram and the hundred pillared hall with intricate carvings was commissioned during the regime of the Vijayanagara Krishnadevaraya during 1516 CE.
• The temple is also regarded as Rahu-Ketu kshetra and Dakshina Kailasam.
• It is famous for its Vayu Lingam, one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams, representing the wind. Shiva in his aspect as Vayu is worshipped as Kalahasteeswara.
• The main gopuram, built by king Krishnadevaraya, collapsed in 2010. The Rajagopuram was reconstructed in its original form at the same location with a budget of 45 crores and was consecrated in 2017.
• The shrine of Goddess Jnanaprasunambika located parallel to the Shiva shrine
• The presiding image of Shiva in the form of Linga is made of white stone (believed to be the solidification of camphor) in a tall cylindrical shape resembling an elephant trunk.
• The temple faces south, while the sanctum faces west. 
• The temple is located on the foothills of a hill. 
• There is a rock-cut shrine of Shiva\'s son Ganesha, 2.7 m below the ground level.
• Vallabha Ganapathi, Mahalakshmi-Ganpathi and Sahasra Lingeswara are some of the rare images found in the temple. 
• There are smaller shrines in the temple for Kasi Viswanatha, Annapurna, Surya, Sadyoganapathi and Shiva\'s second son Kartikeya. 

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