Srikalahasti temple kept open during eclipse

Tirupati: While all temples across the country remained closed on Wednesday for lunar eclipse, the famous Sri Kalahasti temple remain open. On Wednesday, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams closed its temple for 10 hours and some other temples across the state were closed completely for the day.

• During the time of eclipse, the temple performed Abhishekam to Srikalahasteeswara Swamy besides continuing Rahu Kethu pujas for devotees
• Those having some ‘dosham’ in their ‘Jataka’ visit the temple at the time of eclipse and worship Lord Siva and Gnana Prasunamba Ammavaru after performing Rahu Ketu Puja

During the time of eclipse, the temple witnesses Abhishekam to Sri Kalahasteeswara Swamy besides continuing Rahu Kethu pujas for devotees. People also practice so many customs during eclipse by not performing any puja whereas in the case of this temple, those having some doshas in their ‘Jataka’ visit the temple at the time of eclipse and worship Lord Shiva and Gnana Prasunamba Ammavaru after performing Rahu Ketu Puja.

The reason for this was drawn from mythology wherein the idol of Lord Shiva at this temple was having all the 27 Nakshatras (stars) and 9 Rashis in his kavacham thereby controls entire solar system. 

Speaking to The Hans India, one of the temple priests Ardhagiri Durga Sharma said, “Basically Sri Kalahasti temple is called as Rahu Kethu kshethram. Both Rahu and Kethu were with Swamy and Amaavaru. According to mythology, a five-headed serpent called Kethu adorns the head of Lord Shiva whereas a single headed serpent called Rahu in the form of an ornament finds place as the waist belt (Vaddanam) of Ammavaru.

Hence the ill effects of eclipse not to be felt in this temple.” There was a belief that eclipses occur when Rahu and Kethu swallow the sun and moon which results in solar or lunar eclipses. But here, both Rahu and Kethu were worshipped and there will not be any evil effects on the temple, it was said.

Those having doshas prefer to perform Rahu Ketu puja here especially during eclipse to get rid of evil effects. People from other states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu visit the temple during this time. As all other temples will be closed, the denizens of Sri Kalahasti visit the temple.

Some pilgrims believe that they could visit the temple only after making ‘Head bath’ after eclipse was completed and stay away from visiting the temple. On Wednesday evening, ‘Grahana kala abhishekham’ was performed to Lord Shiva and the temple remained open for devotees as usual.

By V Pradeep Kumar