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The
beginnings of the temple are lost in immemorial times. We have reference to Kalahasti in
the Skanda Purana where Arjuna is said to have visited the place during his Tirtbayatra,
worshipped Kalahastiswara. Swami, and visited the great sage Bharadwaja Maharshi on the
top of the hill, which was called Kailasagiri, from whom he heard theSthalamahatmyam of
the place, and the sacredness of The river Suvarnamukhi.
The
historical reference to this temple occurs in the work of Nakkeerar, who is a celebrated
Tamil poet and who flourished in the Third Century BC during the last Tamil Sangam period.
He has sung about this place in exquisite poetry calling it Southern Kailash. Four great
Tamil Saivite saints, namely, Sambandar, Appar, Manikkavasagar and Sundaramurti have
visited Kalahasti during their pilgrimage and have sung about the Lord here. The later day
Tamil saints namely, Pattinathar and Sri Ramalinga Swami of Vadalur have also visited this
place, and have sung about Lord Kalahastiswara.
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