Srikalahasti Temple: Timings, Rahu-Ketu Puja, How to Reach

Facts checked November 2026.

Srikalahasti is one of the important Shiva kshetras of South India, and many families add it to their Tirupati Balaji darshan. This guide covers darshan timings, the Rahu-Ketu puja, the eclipse tradition, dress, how to reach from Tirupati, the old legends and the best season, using official sources wherever they exist. Where sources disagree, we show both so you can confirm locally.

What is Srikalahasti temple famous for?

The temple is famous for three things. First, it is the Vayu sthalam, where Shiva is worshipped as the air element. Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism) lists it as one of the five Pancha Bhoota sthalams, and it also calls the shrine “Dakshina Kailasam” and “Kashi of the South”. The other four elemental temples are Ekambareswarar in Kanchipuram (earth), Jambukeswarar at Tiruvanaikaval (water), Arunachaleswarar in Tiruvannamalai (fire) and Nataraja in Chidambaram (space). Our Ekambareswarar temple guide covers the earth linga.

Second, it is known as the Rahu-Ketu kshetra, where devotees perform puja to ease Rahu, Ketu and kala sarpa dosha. Third, it is one of the very few major temples that stays open during a solar or lunar eclipse.

Which god is in Srikalahasti temple?

The presiding deity is Lord Srikalahasteeswara, a form of Shiva, worshipped as a swayambhu (self-manifested) linga. His consort here is Goddess Gnana Prasunambika. Incredible India notes that the base of the linga shows a spider, two elephant tusks and a five-headed serpent, linked to the temple legend below.

Is Srikalahasti temple a jyotirlinga?

No. Srikalahasti is a Pancha Bhoota sthalam, not one of the twelve jyotirlingas. The nearest jyotirlinga to this region is Mallikarjuna at Srisailam, also in Andhra Pradesh. If you wish to combine both, read our Mallikarjuna jyotirlinga guide.

What are the Srikalahasti temple darshan timings?

Official sources do not agree on the exact hours, so please confirm with the temple office before you leave Tirupati. The official portal does not list darshan ticket types or fees, so ask at the counter about general and any paid special entry darshan.

Sources differ; confirm locally. The early morning hours are usually for rituals before the public queue opens. Weekend and holiday hours, abhishekam slots and the break (if any) are not printed by an official page we could open, so ask at the counter or call the temple office on 08578-222240.

How is the Rahu-Ketu puja done at Srikalahasti?

Srikalahasti is revered as the Rahu-Ketu kshetram. As reported by The Hans India in March 2026, Ketu is depicted as a five-headed serpent on Shiva’s head, and Rahu as a single-headed serpent forming the Goddess’s waist belt. Because of this, devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and beyond come for Rahu-Ketu, kala sarpa and naga dosha nivarana puja.

The puja is booked at the temple, and there are several ticket categories. The devasthanam’s page on the AP government temple portal did not list the Rahu-Ketu ticket prices when we checked in November 2026, so we have not printed them here. Buy tickets only at the official counter or through the AP government temple portal, and ignore touts who offer “special” puja outside.

Which sevas can be booked in your name (paroksha seva)?

The Srikalahasti Devasthanam’s page on the AP government temple portal lists these sevas, which the temple performs in the devotee’s name and gotra. You transfer the amount online to the devasthanam’s bank account shown on that page, then email the transaction details, your name, gotra and address to the temple’s email address given there. Prices in rupees, copied from the portal as listed in November 2026:

Is Srikalahasti temple open during a lunar or solar eclipse?

Yes. While most temples close their doors during grahan, Srikalahasti stays open. During the lunar eclipse of 3 March 2026, The Hans India reported that Tirumala and most temples in the state closed, while Srikalahasti stayed open and held a special Grahana Kala Abhishekam for Lord Srikalahasteeswara and Goddess Gnana Prasunambika at the midpoint of the eclipse. The same report says devotees take part in Rahu-Ketu puja during eclipse hours. This is not a one-off: the Deccan Chronicle reported the temple open during the solar eclipse of 25 October 2022 while almost all other temples had shut. The belief is that because Rahu and Ketu themselves are part of the deity’s form here, the temple is not affected by the eclipse.

For eclipse dates visible from India next year, see our Grahan 2027 guide. Expect bigger crowds at Srikalahasti on eclipse days, as many devotees choose that day for dosha puja.

What is the dress code at Srikalahasti temple?

We could not find a dress code printed on an official devasthanam or AP government page. Private guides differ: some say men should wear dhoti or kurta-pyjama and women saree or salwar kameez with dupatta, while others say any decent clothing is accepted for general darshan. Sources differ; confirm locally.

The safe choice is traditional Indian dress. Avoid shorts, sleeveless tops, nightwear and very casual clothes, especially if you are sitting for Rahu-Ketu puja. Footwear is left outside, so carry socks if the stone floor is hot.

How far is Srikalahasti temple from Tirupati, and how to reach?

The Tirupati District Police tourism page gives the distance as 37 km from Tirupati and 113 km from Chennai. Srikalahasti has its own railway station and bus stand close to the temple, and regular buses run from Tirupati.

• By road: The easiest way for families is a taxi or private vehicle from Tirupati, Tirumala or Renigunta. APSRTC buses also run from Tirupati bus stand.
• By train: Srikalahasti station is close to the temple. Tirupati station (TPTY), which Incredible India names as the nearest major station, has far more trains, so many pilgrims reach Tirupati first and then go by road.
• By air: Tirupati airport at Renigunta is the nearest. Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports are the larger options.

Can we visit Srikalahasti before Tirupati?

No official rule sets an order. Some families follow a custom about which temple to visit first, so follow your own family tradition or your purohit’s advice. In practice, most pilgrims plan around their Tirumala darshan slot, since that ticket is time-bound, and fit Srikalahasti on the day before or after. Our Tirupati Balaji temple guide explains how the Tirumala booking works.

What is the legend of Srikalahasti temple?

The name joins three words: Sri (spider), Kala (serpent) and Hasti (elephant). The legend, as told by AP Tourism and Incredible India, says all three worshipped the linga in a forest, each in its own way. Their offerings clashed, they fought, and all three died. Shiva, pleased with their devotion, granted them moksha, and the place took their names.

The second famous story is of Kannappa, a hunter. When he saw blood flowing from the linga, he offered his own eyes to Shiva. Shiva restored his sight and granted him moksha. Kannappa is remembered as one of the great devotees of Shiva.

Who built Srikalahasti temple and how old is it?

Official sources agree on the broad story but differ on details. The Tirupati District Police page says Pallava kings began the original structure in the 5th century, the Cholas rebuilt the main structure in the 10th century, and Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara built the main gopuram and the hundred-pillar mandapam in 1516. Incredible India dates the inner temple to the 5th century, places the outer temple under Rajendra Chola I in the 11th century and the entrance gopurams under Kulottunga Chola I, and credits the Vijayanagara Empire with the Rajagopuram in the 16th century. Sources differ on the Chola date; both agree the temple has grown over many centuries.

The old Rajagopuram at the entrance collapsed on 26 May 2010 (AP Tourism also records the collapse). A new tower was built in its place, and The Hans India reported that its seven-day Maha Kumbhabhishekam began on 2 February 2017, giving the height of the new tower as 144 feet against 136 feet for the old one. Other sources print different heights for the old gopuram, so treat these figures as approximate.

When is the Mahashivratri Brahmotsavam at Srikalahasti?

The biggest festival of the year is the Mahashivratri Brahmotsavam, celebrated in February–March according to the lunar calendar. Mahashivratri 2027 falls on Saturday, 6 March 2027 (Drik Panchang, New Delhi). The devasthanam had not published its 2027 Brahmotsavam schedule when we checked in November 2026; the festival days are built around Mahashivratri, and the official dates are announced by the Srikalahasti Devasthanam. Read our Mahashivratri 2027 guide for the puja timings of the day itself.

Karthika masam (October–November) is another busy period.

When should we visit Srikalahasti temple?

The temple is open all year. Weather-wise, the cooler months are November to February. Incredible India’s climate table shows maximum temperatures of about 31–34 °C in November to January, against more than 42 °C in April and May. For darshan, weekdays are usually calmer than weekends, Mondays, Mahashivratri, Karthika masam and eclipse days, when the crowds are heaviest.

How much time is needed for Srikalahasti darshan?

Waiting time changes a great deal with the day and season, and no official source publishes it. For a calm visit with general darshan, plan for half a day from Tirupati including the road journey. If you are also doing Rahu-Ketu puja, or visiting on a weekend or festival, keep the full day free.

Which temples are near Srikalahasti?

• Durgambika temple: on a hillock to the north, reached by steps, with a view of the main temple (AP Tourism).
• Manikanteswara temple: to the south, built under the Cholas in the 12th century (AP Tourism).
• Pathala Ganapathi: an underground cave shrine with steep, narrow steps and often a queue (AP Tourism).
• Gudimallam temple: near Yerpedu, about seven miles from Renigunta (Tirupati district administration).
• Tirumala and Tirupati: Sri Venkateswara at Tirumala, Padmavathi Ammavari temple at Tiruchanur, Govindaraja Swamy temple and Kapila Theertham.

How Yatra To Temples can help

Our Panch Bhoota Sthalam Darshan Yatra starts from Chennai and covers all five elemental Shiva temples, including Srikalahasti for the Vayu linga, along with Tirumala darshan (subject to your booked TTD slot), Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai, Chidambaram and Tiruvanaikaval. The package page lists hotel stays on twin or triple sharing, pure vegetarian breakfast and dinner, private air-conditioned vehicle with pickup and drop, tolls and permits, guidance on TTD booking and temple timings, and a coordinator on call. Rahu-Ketu puja tickets and special darshan are not included and are paid at the temple. For a Srikalahasti-only visit or any other plan, ask us at shiva@yatratotemples.in.

Frequently asked questions

Is Srikalahasti temple open on Sunday?

Yes, the temple is open every day of the week, including Sunday. Weekends are usually more crowded, so reach early. Confirm the day’s closing time with the temple office, as official sources print slightly different hours.

Is Srikalahasti temple open for Rahu-Ketu pooja during an eclipse?

Yes. The temple stayed open during the 3 March 2026 lunar eclipse and held a Grahana Kala Abhishekam, and news reports say devotees take part in Rahu-Ketu puja during eclipse hours. Expect long queues on such days.

How far is Srikalahasti temple from Tirupati?

The Tirupati District Police tourism page gives the distance as 37 km. Most pilgrims go by taxi or APSRTC bus from Tirupati.

Can we stay in Srikalahasti temple?

Many yatris stay in Tirupati and make a day visit, since it is only 37 km away. For rooms in Srikalahasti, including any devasthanam accommodation, call the temple office on 08578-222240 before you go.

Where is Srikalahasti temple located?

It is in Srikalahasti town on the bank of the Swarnamukhi river, in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh. The town has its own railway station and bus stand close to the temple.

Is Srikalahasti temple crowded?

It gets very crowded on weekends, Mondays, Mahashivratri, Karthika masam and eclipse days. Early weekday mornings are usually the calmest time for darshan.

Why is Srikalahasti temple famous?

It is the Vayu (air) linga among the five Pancha Bhoota sthalams, the Rahu-Ketu kshetra for dosha puja, and one of the few temples that stays open during eclipses. It is also linked to the legends of the spider, snake and elephant, and to Kannappa.