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Kalahasti and the
hill Kailasagiri are famous in the Puranas. According to the Skanda, Saiva, and Linga
Puranas, the idol of Sri Kalahastiswara is said to have been brought by Brahma the Creator
from Mount Kailash as a gift from Lord Iswara. According to the instructions of the Lord,
he kept the idol and worshipped the same, so that he may by his worship recollect the
process of creation, which was forgotten by him. Hence it is that the hill is called
Kailasagiri.
In the Kalabasti Sthalapurana it is
clearly stated as to which Rishis worshipped which Lingam in each of the four yugas in
order to attain salvation. The Sthalapurana, states. That when Brahma the Creator began to
perform penance in the presence of this Linga, Lord Siva left Kailash and took his abode
in this idol. Goddess Parvati finding that she had been left along herself, also came to
this Linga and began her Pujas and penance. During this period Durga was her attendant.
After the completion of the penance of Brahma and Parvati, Lord Siva gave Darsan to them.
Durga, the attendant, was also granted a boon, and according to her wish she was converted
into a Goddess. Hence there is a bill here called Durga hill. The Lord and the Goddess are
taken out in procession on two occasions---on the ninth day of Mahashivaratri festival and
on Makarasankranti day.
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