TheeraYatra

Quick Overview

Best Time to Visit: October to March
Weather: Pleasant winters, hot summers
Budget: ₹1,500–₹5,000/day
Speciality: Dakshina Kailasam, Rahu-Ketu Kshetra

Plan Your Trip

Getting There

Nearest Airport: Tirupati Airport, ~26 km away
By Train: Srikalahasti Railway Station connects to major cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Tirupati, and Hyderabad
By Road: Well-connected via APSRTC buses and private vehicles; approximately 36 km from Tirupati

Where to Stay?

Near Temple Area – walking distance to Srikalahasteeswara Temple with budget-friendly guesthouses
Tirupati – wider range of hotels and amenities, 36 km away with frequent bus connections

Packing List

• Comfortable cotton clothing
• Traditional attire for temple visits
• Walking shoes or sandals
• Sunscreen and hat
• Water bottle and snacks

Top Places to Visit

Srikalahasteeswara Temple

An ancient Shiva temple representing the element of air, one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams. Famous for its Vayu Linga and 120-foot gopuram, the temple showcases magnificent Dravidian architecture with intricate carvings and religious significance.

Veyilingala Kona Waterfalls

Translating to “Valley of Thousand Lingas,” these sacred waterfalls are located 8 km from town. The waters are believed to have healing properties, surrounded by lush greenery and rock formations resembling Shiva lingas.

Bharadwaja Tirtham

A serene sacred pond situated amidst three hills, named after Sage Bharadwaja. The site features a beautiful Vinayaka idol in the middle of the water tank, offering a peaceful retreat for spiritual seekers.

Pathala Vinayaka Temple

An underground shrine located 35 feet below ground level within the main temple complex. Devotees descend narrow stairs to worship this unique Ganesha deity in the subterranean sanctum.

Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple

Located on Skanda Giri hill, this temple dedicated to Lord Murugan offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The climb rewards visitors with breathtaking vistas and spiritual tranquility.

Gudimallam Temple

Home to the world’s oldest Shiva Linga dating back to the 3rd century BCE, located 28 km from Srikalahasti. This ancient temple houses rare anthropomorphic representations of Lord Shiva.

Durgambika Temple

Perched on a hillock, this temple dedicated to Goddess Durga provides stunning views of Srikalahasti town and the surrounding terrain, creating a perfect setting for meditation and prayer.

Kalamkari Art Centers

Explore traditional Kalamkari hand-painting workshops where artisans create intricate designs using natural dyes on fabric, depicting mythological stories with centuries-old techniques.

Must-Try Experiences

Rahu-Ketu Pooja

Experience the famous ritual performed to mitigate planetary doshas, believed to bring prosperity and remove obstacles. This unique pooja is exclusive to Srikalahasti Temple.

Temple Darshan at Dawn

Witness the serene morning rituals and aarti at the temple, when the atmosphere is peaceful and spiritually charged with fewer crowds.

Kalamkari Shopping

Purchase authentic hand-painted Kalamkari fabrics, sarees, and textiles directly from local artisans near the temple area, supporting traditional craftsmanship.

Nature Walk to Waterfalls

Trek through scenic landscapes to reach Veyilingala Kona, descending 120 steps to the sacred waters believed to cure skin ailments and grant spiritual purification.

Heritage Temple Circuit

Visit the network of ancient temples including Kannappa Temple, Sahasra Linga Temple, and nearby historical shrines that tell stories of devotion and mythology.

Local Cuisine

Breakfast: Crispy dosas, soft idlis with sambar and coconut chutney, upma
Lunch: Vegetarian thali with rice, sambar, rasam, variety of curries and curd
Snacks: Vadas, appams, traditional South Indian tiffin items
Specialties: Temple prasadam, Srikalahasti peanuts (malady), payasam

Note: Being a temple town, predominantly vegetarian food is available with authentic Andhra flavors.

Culture & Local Life

Srikalahasti, known as “Dakshina Kailasam” or “Kailash of the South,” derives its name from three devotees – a spider (Sri), snake (Kala), and elephant (Hasti) – who worshipped Lord Shiva here. The town revolves around its ancient temple, which has been a pilgrimage center for over 2,000 years.

The town is renowned for Kalamkari art, a 3,000-year-old hand-painting tradition using natural dyes. Artisans continue practicing this ancient craft, depicting mythological stories on fabric through intricate pen work.

Major festivals like Maha Shivaratri and Brahmotsavam draw thousands of devotees. The temple also hosts special rituals related to Rahu and Ketu, the shadow planets in Vedic astrology, making it a significant astrological site.

Local Insights

Languages: Telugu (primary), Tamil, Hindi, and English widely understood
Getting Around: Auto-rickshaws, local buses, and hired taxis for nearby attractions
Best Days to Visit: Weekdays are less crowded; avoid weekends and festival dates for peaceful darshan
Safety Tips: Keep valuables secure, stay hydrated in summer, follow temple guidelines and local customs

Enjoy Your Yatra!