Srikalahasti: The shrine dedicated to Rahu and Ketu
Rahu and Ketu are known to be natural malefics in one’s horoscope. Owing to their malefic nature and by virtue of their placement in one’s horoscope, they have the capability of inflicting pain, suffering and loss in one’s life. Moreover, there is a infamous placement of Rahu and Ketu in the horoscope known as the ‘Kaal Sarp Dosh’ which is defined as follows- “अग्रे राहु अधो केतु सर्वे मध्य ग्रह” which means when Rahu and Ketu engulf all the rest of the 7 grahas on one side of their axis, they cause the “Kaala Sarp Dosh’.
However, such kind of malefic affliction can be easily pacified by performing the Rahu/Ketu Shanti Poojan or the “Kaal Sarp Dosh Nivaran” Pooja at ‘Srikalahasthi’ Temple which is situated 37 Kms from Tirupati in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.
The best time of the day to perform the pooja is in the morning/afternoon and the following are the categories of tickets that are available to perform these pooja:-
- Rs 350-In this type of Pooja, a large crowd of devotees are made to sit together and the priest chants the ‘mantra/shlok’ and the devotees follow him.
- Rs 500-Very similar to the above one.
- Rs 750-Similar to the above ones with lesser number of devotees.
- Rs 1,500-Similar to the above ones with much lesser number of devotees.
- Rs 2,500-This is a more personalised form of pooja wherein a limited set of devotees are seated in a row close to the ‘Garba-Griha’ or the inner sanctum of the shrine and the priest chants the mantra/shlok and does occasional hand-holding as and when required during the ritual process.The ticket counter to book this category of ticket is placed in the middle of the temple premises. You need not hire any agents or middlemen to book this category of ticket at all.
- Rs 5,000-This is the most personalised form of pooja wherein the devotee sits next to the ‘Garba-Griha’ in close proximity to the ‘Sahasra Lingam’ and the priest sits next to the devotees and chants the mantra/shloka and asks the devotee to follow him. Hand-Holding is being done by the priest as and when required so that nothing goes wrong during the entire ritual process of pacification of Rahu/Ketu. The ticket counter to book this category of ticket is placed in the middle of the temple premises. You need not hire any agents or middlemen to book this category of ticket at all.
Please make sure to wear Dhoti (for gents) or Indian ethnic wear such as Salwar/Saree (for ladies) while entering the shrine.
After one is done with the pacification ritual of Rahu and Ketu, one can pay a visit to the ‘Garba Griha’ or the inner sanctum of the shrine where Lord ‘Kalahasteeswara’ is seated. The devotees have to go around in the ‘garba-griha’ in circumambulation after which they have to exit the shrine.
After this ritual, it is a mandate for the devotee to discard the clothes that he/she wore during the pacification ritual and has to take a bath. Since the temple is located on the banks of the ‘Swarnamukhi’ river, the Govt. has made a provision for a ‘ghat’ wherein the devotees can take bath (as it is customary to do so) absolutely free of cost.
Please note:- A devotee can perform all the above mentioned rituals without the assistance of any middlemen or touts which is a common sight in and around the shrine. Lack of awareness would make you fall prey to such middlemen/touts.
Brief historical timeline of Srikalahasti shrine-The inner temple was constructed some time during the 5th century AD and the outer temple was constructed some time during the 12th Century AD .The three lofty Gopurams or the entry gate of the shrine represents the Dravidian style of architecture . This temple was originally built during Pallava period and current structures are built by Chola Tamil King Kulothunga Cholan I,II and III during 11th century. A huge hundred pillared mantapam is built by Krishnadevarayar during the 16th century AD which is another important feature of this shrine.
Some pictures taken during my visit at the shrine-
