Solar Eclipse 2023: Why Kalahasti And Kukkuteshwar Temples Are Open During Eclipse?

In Kakinada Tirupati, when eclipse makes its appearance on the sky, it is time for all temples in the area to close temporarily till the eclipse wanes. They close to avoid the malefic effects of the eclipse. Inside the country, all the temples are closed during Grahan, but it is the Srikalahastheeswara temple in Tirupati that keeps its doors open for the devotees and the special pujas to be done on this day.

It is at this time, that thet Kalahasti temple conducts Abhisheka to the Lord Vayulingeshwara and conducts pujas to Rahu and Ketu for devotees. Malefic placement of Rahu and Ketu causes serious doshas in horoscope and consequently disturbances in devotees' life.

kalahasti

So in order to eliminate these problems in their lives, usually as per the tradition, the first puja is performed to Lord Shiva and Goddess after which Rahu and Ketu pujas are performed so that the devotees are free of the Rahu and ketu doshams or ill effects.

Bedara Kannappa
The miraculous episode in the life of Kannappa, Bedara Kannappa who was a staunch Shiva devotee actually happened in the premises of this temple. This temple was where Kannappa offered his eyes in an attempt to stop the blood oozing from Lord shiva's eyes. Lord Shiva or Vayulingeshwara, immensely pleased with the innocence and devotion of Kannappa, granted salvation to him here.

Why Srikalahasti Is Not Affected By The Effects Of Grahana?
One of the panchabhoota sthalams, constructed by the Chola kings, the Srikalahasti temple whose deity Kalahasteeshwara is known to have a control over all the stars and rashis. Ketu appears as a five headed serpent coiled around the head of the lord whereas Rahu the single headed serpent appears as vaddanam of the Goddess. Rahu and Ketu are actually in the protecting mode and hence this temple does not suffer the ill effects of the eclipse.

Kukkuteshwara Temple
One more temple by the name of Kukkuteshwara temple in Andhra Pradesh is always open and specially so during the graham. Situated in Kakinada district. This temple is heavily crowded during the grahan times. Devotees take holy bath three times, one in the beginning, the other during the mid part and the once more at the end of the eclipse at the shrine of Padagaya and then take a holy glimpse of the Lord here.
This removes all the Rahu and Ketu doshas in a person's horoscope.

This place is also called Padagaya because Gayasura was killed by the Holy Trinity and his body was scattered everywhere as a result. His legs reached this place at Kukkuteshwar temple. This shrine is also famous as a place to worship departed forefathers as it offers them peace and Sadgati here.People do extensive tarpans here to achieve this for their departed souls. There is yet another belief that surrounds the deity of Kukkuteshwar. He is known to eliminate negative spirits and protect from evil entities.

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