SRIKALAHASTI - THE SEAT OF VAYULINGA

The Temple

It lies on the Eastern bank of river Swarnamukhi occupying about five acres. It has three prakarams pierced by three broad gates lying to the Western, Southern, Northern sides and imposing towers over them. Entering through the Northern called Bikshalagali entrance, the devotees visit Sri Kasi Viswanantha Annapurna shrine first. Crossing this, they enter Bala Jnanananda Prakaram, they worship here Subrahmanya, Patala Ganapathi and Suryanarayana each in a separate shrine. Then they enter through the Hundred Pillared Mandapam built by Sri Krishna Devaraya adorned with beautiful sculpture. Passing through Jalakoti Mantapa and Palgar Mantap. they enter the garbha griha lying in third prakara to worship Sri Kalahasteeswara installed on a high pedestal in the centre. It is facing the West, and over the sanctum lies the two-tired Vimana built in the Vesara style. The Presiding deity being the Vayulinga, the devotees observe here the eternal fluttering of oil lamps testifying to the presence of Siva in the form of wind. Hence the offering of all the prayer services to the Utsavamurthi by priests. (An elaborate account is given in AGS No.3).

After visiting the Panchabhutasthalas, we have to see three more - the Suryamurti; the Chandramurti; and Yajamanamurti to complete the darsan of Sivashtamurtis.

Khatmandu, the capital of Nepal enshrining the Pasupathinath icon await our visit. Let us up and, move.

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