Temples & Legends of Andhra Pradesh
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Temples & Legends Of India

KALAHASTI

The river Suvarnamukhi is also a famous one in the Puranas. In the Puranas it is stated that Agasthya Maharshi brought this sacred river. It is a perennial river. It is also called Uttara Vahini, as it flows from south to north at this spot, which is a rare phenomenon. It is stated that Lord Indra got rid of his curse from Maharshi Gautama after taking his bath in this river. Nakkeerar, the great Tamil poet of the Sangam Age, is also said to have rid himself of a fell disease after taking his bath in this river.

The main Lingam in the shrine is untouched till today even by the priest. Abhisheka is being performed with Panchakarpura, or camphor mixed with water, milk and Panchamruta. The Linga is said to be Swayambu or selfmanifest and hence has not been touched by human hand up to now. Even this Panchakarpura Abhisheka to the main Linga is to be performed only by the priests belonging to Bharadwaja Gotra of Apastambha Sutra and who have undergone the prescribed Diksha initiation in the temple. Flowers, sandal paste and the sacred thread are being offered only to the Utsava murthy but not to the main Linga.

The most important festival in this temple is that of ahasivarathri which lasts for ten days in February and March. The fifth day of the festival corresponds to Sivarathri proper, when the pilgrims bathe in the river and keep vigil all throughout the night, fasting throughout day and Night. Another big festival is on the third day in Sankranti "When the deity is taken in a procession round the hills which is a circuit of nearly twenty miles. There are in all eighty-five festivals in this temple in the year.

Kalahasti is thus an ancient place mentioned extensively in the Puranas. Its historical background runs to ages and famous mystic poets have sung it. It is only thirty miles by road from Tirupati and one can reach it easily by road from Gudur on the Madras-Vijayawada line. The temple is a famous and sacred one and attracts pilgrims and devotees by thousands even now. 

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About Kalahasti
Introduction
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