SRIKALAHASTI - PAATALA GANAPATHI AALAYAM

Renowned as one of the Pancha bhutasthalas, visited by maha pravaktas, eulogised by writers, abounding in countless mini-shrines, and entwined with lives of illustrious Siva bhaktas, this Maha Saiva kshetra has been emancipating the duhkartis from time immemorial. Among the several deities beckoning visitation for adoration starting from the northern mahadwar, popular as Bikshala gopuram, like Sri Kasi Viswanatha, Annapurana Devi, Subrahmanya swamy etc. Patala Ganapathi takes pride of place and enthralls the visitors by its strange location and arduous descent to reach his fee. This is a unique small shrine built about 30 feet below the ground and equipped with a flight of stairs. The entrance at the opening also is not broad, nor does it envisage safe descent. The steps too are quite narrow and steep that unwary stepping causes mishap. Above all, the inside is murky and dingy that does not afford a pleasant and comfortable darsan. Yet every devotee invariably avails the darsan of this supreme deity-Vigneswara for trouble free existence. The icon is modest sized and there is no priest at it, yet ardent devotees worship him with Karpura harati and come back with same fidgety experience. Above all, the admission is by ticket charging a small amount. There is no rose sans thorns! Harder the trouble, sweeter its aftermath. This bizarre Ganapathy blesses the adorers liberally. is he blind .to .the hardships faced? According to legend many sages did penance here in the dim past and were blessed with his Sakshatkara. He is extremely compassionate and partial to true bhaktas.

It is an integral part of Kalahasteeswar temple, accessible by bus and train from the nearby towns like Tirupathi, Nayudupet etc..

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