Srikalahasteeswara temple

Sri Gnanaprasunambika sametha Srikalahasteeswara Temple శ్రీ జ్ఞాన ప్రసూనాంబికా సమేత శ్రీ కాళ హస్తిశ్వర ఆలయం
An aerial view of the town and the temple
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Tirupati
Deity	Srikalahasteeswara (Shiva), Gnana Prasunambika Devi[1] (Parvati)
Festivals	Maha Sivaratri
Location
Location	Srikalahasti
State	Andhra Pradesh
Country	India
Location in Andhra Pradesh
Geographic coordinates	13°44′58″N 79°41′54″E / 13.74944°N 79.69833°E / 13.74944; 79.69833
Architecture
Type	Dravidian architecture[2]
Creator	Rajendra Chola I
Date established	5th century CE
Website
Srikalahasti

The Srikalahasti Temple is located in the town of Srikalahasti, in Tirupati district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. According to regional tradition, it is said to be the site where Kannappa was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Shivalinga before Shiva stopped him and granted him moksha.^[3] The inner temple was constructed around the 5th century CE and the outer temple was constructed in the 11th century by the Rajendra Chola I and other Chola emperors such as Rajaditya Chola, Rajaraja Chola I, Rajadhiraja Chola I, Kulottunga Chola I, Kulottunga Chola III, and Reddi kingdom,Vijayanagar Empire. The 120 feet (37 m) high main gopuram and the hundred pillared hall with intricate carvings was commissioned during the regime of the Vijayanagara Krishnadevaraya during 1516 CE.^[4] Shiva in his aspect as Vayu is worshipped as Kalahasteeswara. The temple is also regarded as Rahu-Ketu kshetra and Dakshina Kailasam.

Srikalahasti temple, situated 36 km away from Tirupati, is famous for its Vayu Lingam (Wind Lingam), one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams, representing the wind.