PULICAT SANCTUARY - SRIKALAHASTI (FROM CHENNAI)

At a distance of 9 from Sullurpet, 50 km from Srikalahasti, 105 km from Nellore & 88 km from Chennai Central Railway Station, Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lake in India, after Orissa's Chilka Lake. It lies at the border of Thiruvallur district in Tamil Nadu and Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh states. The island of Sriharikota (home for famous ISRO) separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Chennai and an ideal weekend getaway near Chennai.

The sanctuary is home to wide range of migratory birds that migrate in large numbers in winter. It is one of the best places for bird watching in the vicinity of Chennai city and at the same time experience the memorable boat riding in Pulicat Lake. The entrance to the sanctuary is situated .....

At a distance of 2 Kms from Srikalahasti Bus Station, Pathala Vinayaka Temple here is situated at the northern entrance of Srikalahasti Temple at a depth of 35 feet.

There is a legend that talks about Vinayaka's manifestation deep in the Suvarnamukhi River. According to the legend, Suvarnamukhi River dried up once because Sage Agastya did not worship Lord Vinayaka when he came to Dakshin Kailash. Realizing his mistake, the Sage worshipped and obtained Lord Vinayaka's blessings. As the image of the Lord appeared at bottom of the riverbed, the image came to be known as Pathala Vinayaka. This shrine can be found close to the northern Gopuram of Sri Kalahsthiswara Temple. It can be reached by descending a plight of 20 steps.

At a distance of 2 km from Srikalahasti Bus Station, Srikalahasteeswara Temple (referred as Srikalahasti Temple) is one of the famous Shiva temples in South India. It is said to be the site where Kannappa, a great devotee of Shiva, was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Lord Siva stopped him and granted mukti.

The ancient Shiva temple of Sri Kalahasti finds reference in the three ancient epics the Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana and the Linga Purana. According to Skanda Purana, Arjuna came to this place to worship Kalahastheeswara (Lord Shiva) and met Rishi Bharadwaja on the peak of a hill.

This temple is one of the most impressive Siva temples in South India. This temple features 120 feet high enormous and ancient gopura over the main gate. The entire temple is carved out of the side of a huge stone hill. The initial structure of this temple was constructed by Pallava dynasty in .....

At a distance of 2 Kms from Sri Kalahasti Bus Station, Kannappa Temple is situated on the south hill near main Srikalahasti Temple. This is the shrine of Kannabeswara, built in the memory of Sage Kannappa, who offered an eye to Lord Shiva. When he tried to offer his other eye as well, the Lord mercifully stopped him.

Chaturmukeswaram Temple can be also found here as a linga with four faces. Timings: 6 AM to 6:30 PM.

At a distance of 2 Kms from SriKalahasthi Bus Station, Sri Prasanna Varadaraja Swami Temple is situated in center of the town.

Timings: 6 AM to 9 PM