Sri Kalahasti Temple: Timings, Online Booking, Rahu Ketu Pooja, Darshan & Accommodation ૐ
Sri Kalahasti Temple, revered as “Dakshina Kailasam” (Kailash of the South), stands as one of the most powerful and ancient Shiva temples in South India. Located in the spiritual town of Srikalahasti in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district, this sacred shrine attracts millions of devotees annually who seek blessings for Rahu-Ketu dosha remedies, spiritual liberation, and divine grace. Quick Overview: Sri Kalahasti Temple 2026 Temple Details Information Official Name Sri Kalahasteeswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam Also Known As Dakshina Kailasam, Kailash of the South Location Srikalahasti, Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh 517644 Main Deity Lord Kalahasteeswara (Lord Shiva – Vayu Lingam) Goddess Gnanaprasunambika Devi (Parvati) Temple Type Pancha Bhoota Sthalam (Air Element) Temple Timings 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM (Daily) Darshan Type Free, ₹50, ₹100, ₹500 Special Darshan Famous For Rahu-Ketu Pooja, Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Distance from Tirupati 36 km / 45 km (approximately 1 hour) Distance from Chennai 145 km (approximately 3 hours) Nearest Railway Station Srikalahasti Railway Station (1.5 km) Nearest Airport Tirupati Airport (29 km / 36 km) Official Website https://tms.ap.gov.in/SRIKHT/ Online Booking Portal https://www.aptemples.org Phone Number +91-8578-222240, 222399 Best Time to Visit October to March; Maha Shivaratri (February) Major Festivals Maha Shivaratri, Brahmotsavam, Karthika Deepotsavam Sri Kalahasti Temple Darshan Timings 2026 The temple follows a structured daily schedule with specific timings for various poojas and darshans throughout the day. Daily Temple Schedule Time Activity / Pooja 5:30 AM Suprabhata Seva – Temple Opens 5:30 AM – 6:00 AM Morning Ritual & Preparation 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM Abhishekam & Morning Poojas 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM General Darshan Hours (Continuous) 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM Rahu-Ketu Pooja Timings 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Afternoon Break (approximately) 1:30 PM – 6:00 PM Afternoon Darshan Continues 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM Evening Pooja & Harathi 8:30 PM – 9:00 PM Final Darshan 9:00 PM Temple Closes Important Note: The temple remains open even during solar and lunar eclipses — a rare and unique tradition found only at Sri Kalahasti. Revised Antharalaya Darshan Timings (2026 Update) The temple administration has introduced specific timings for Antharalaya Darshan (inner sanctum darshan with ₹500 ticket): Day Antharalaya Darshan Timings Sunday 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM only Monday 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM only Tuesday to Friday 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Full Day) Saturday 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM only Note: These timings are designed to manage crowd better and provide a peaceful darshan experience, especially during weekends and festival days. Sri Kalahasti Temple Darshan Tickets & Prices 2026 The temple offers multiple darshan options to accommodate different devotee preferences and time constraints. Darshan Ticket Categories Darshan Type Price (₹) Benefits Recommended For Free Darshan Free Standard queue, general entry All pilgrims for regular worship ₹50 Quick Darshan ₹50 Faster entry, priority queue Families, elderly visitors ₹100 Special Darshan ₹100 Short queue, quicker access Devotees with time constraints ₹500 Antharalaya Darshan ₹500 Inner sanctum access, closer view Special occasions, important prayers Seva Darshan Varies Includes pooja participation Those performing Abhishekam/Rahu-Ketu Children Policy: Children below 12 years do not require a ticket for general darshan. Ticket Availability: Tickets are available at temple counters. Online booking is available for special sevas and poojas through the official portal. Sri Kalahasti Temple Online Booking 2026 Official Online Booking Portal Website: https://www.aptemples.org/en-in/temples The Andhra Pradesh Temples portal provides online booking facilities for: How to Book Online – Step-by-Step Guide Step 1: Visit Official Website Step 2: Choose Service Step 3: Registration Step 4: Payment Step 5: Confirmation Important Online Booking Notes ✅ Book 15-30 days in advance during peak seasons ✅ Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable ✅ Carry original photo ID proof for verification ✅ Reach temple 30 minutes before scheduled time ✅ Follow temple dress code strictly Limitation: Regular darshan tickets (Free, ₹50, ₹100) are NOT available online. These must be purchased at temple counters upon arrival. Sri Kalahasti Temple Rahu Ketu Pooja 2026 The Rahu-Ketu Pooja is the signature ritual of Sri Kalahasti Temple, performed to mitigate the malefic effects of Rahu and Ketu planets in one’s horoscope. What is Rahu Ketu Pooja? Rahu and Ketu are shadow planets (nodes) in Vedic astrology. When they are negatively placed in a horoscope, they can cause: The Rahu-Ketu Pooja at Srikalahasti is considered the most powerful remedy for these doshas. Rahu Ketu Pooja Timings 2026 Daily Pooja Hours: 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM Lunch Break: 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM (approximately) Each Session Duration: 45-60 minutes Batches: Continuous throughout the day Rahu Ketu Pooja Ticket Prices 2026 Ticket Category Price (₹) Seating Best For General Ticket ₹150 Common hall, basic seating Individual devotees Standard Ticket ₹300 Better seating area Couples, families Bronze Ticket ₹500 Preferred location Regular dosha cases Silver Ticket ₹750 Priority seating, closer view Moderate severity Gold Ticket ₹1,500 VIP seating, priest assistance Severe dosha cases Couple Special ₹2,500 Couple seating, guided ritual Married couples Premium Couple ₹5,000 Premium area, calm atmosphere Special occasions Note: Higher category tickets provide better seating and a quieter environment but the spiritual benefits remain the same across all categories. Best Days for Rahu Ketu Pooja Day/Event Significance Crowd Level Amavasya (New Moon) Most powerful day Very High Pournami (Full Moon) Highly auspicious High Sunday Lord Shiva’s day High Monday Extremely favorable Very High Tuesday Good for Rahu worship Moderate Eclipse Days Maximum effectiveness Extremely High Rahu Kalam Best time slot (1.5 hours daily) Moderate Rahu Ketu Pooja Procedure Before the Pooja: During the Pooja: After the Pooja: Information Required for Pooja When booking Rahu-Ketu Pooja, provide: If you don’t know your nakshatra and rashi, consult family members or a local priest before visiting. Kalasarpa Dosha Nivarana Pooja Sri Kalahasti Temple is particularly famous for Kalasarpa Dosha Nivarana, a specific type of Rahu-Ketu dosha. The same Rahu-Ketu Pooja serves as the remedy. Many devotees perform this pooja multiple times (once every 6 months) for severe cases. Sri Kalahasti Temple Rudrabhishekam Online Booking Rudrabhishekam is a sacred abhishekam performed to Lord Shiva with milk, honey, ghee, water, and other holy substances. Rudrabhishekam Timings









