‘Rahu-Kethu pooja' has international followers

TIRUPATI: That westerners and Europeans are also of late getting to evince keen interest in the Indian occult system, especially Vedic astrology and the impact of the nine planets of the cosmic system on the human life and so on was demonstrated when a batch of about 20 devotees from abroad performed the hour-long ‘Rahu-Kethu pooja', a ritual in the famous Siva temple of Srikalahasti on Monday.

The shrine has shot into fame of late for this special ritual, with devotees thronging the temple from all over India, as it is widely believed that by propitiating the two evil serpent-headed planets their malefic effects on the performer could be neutralised and their blessings received for their lasting peace and prosperity.

As for the 20-member contingent from abroad which participated in the ritual, they were said to have come on their own, purchased the prescribed Rs.250 tickets each from across the counter like anybody else and sat down in the granite mandapam along with other devotees to perform the elaborate ‘pooja' (ritual). They showered flowers, bilva leaves, vermillion and turmeric powder on the small icons of the two snake-shaped planets placed before them, as the priests chanted hymns from the scriptures.

After the ‘pooja', they offered prayers to Lord Siva and Goddess Gnana Prasoonambika—the main deities. As they went round the inner precincts of the temple, they were said to have been deeply impressed with the architectural beauty of the ancient temple. Their attempts to take photographs of the intricate carvings on the granite structures inside the temple were subtly curbed, as photography inside the temple is prohibited, as a rule to maintain the sanctity of the shrine.

As the team of foreigners came on their own, performed the ‘pooja' and left, temple sources are not able to confirm which country they were all from. While some said they were Americans, others who over-heard their conversation with someone in the crowd insist that they were New Zealanders.

Yeddyurappa performs Rahu-Kethu pooja at Kalahasti shrine

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today sought divine intervention by performing a Rahu-Ketu pooja at the ancient shrine in Sri Kalahasti near Tirupati.

Mr. Yeddyurappa, against whom Governor H R Bhardwaj gave sanction for prosecution over alleged land scam charges, also offered prayers to the presiding deity of Lord Vayulingeswara before winding up his about two-hour pilgrimage, temple sources told PTI.

Mr. Yeddyurappa has been a regular visitor to important temples in neighbouring southern States, particularly Tamil Nadu and had made liberal contributions, inviting criticism from Opposition back home.

Emerging from the temple, he told reporters that there was no political crisis in Karnataka and he was confident of completing his government’s full term in power.

Earlier, Mr. Yeddyurappa reached the temple by road after arriving at Renigunta, 30 km from Kalahasti, by a special aircraft.

Reports Credits the Hindu

Rahu - Ketu Pooja at Sri Kalahasti Temple

Sri Kalahasti Temple Located 36 Km near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh
Shrikalahasti Rahu Ketu Dosh Nivaran/ Kaal Sarp Pooja

What is Kaal Sarp Dosha?
Kaal Sarp Dosh is all about faulty planetary position, with a snake like formation, found in the person’s natal birth chart. In a dosha like this, the planetary positions are such that Rahu (head of the snake) and ketu (tail of the snake) happen to fall on the beginning and end of the formation, respectively. There are many other ways by which Kaal Sarp Yoga can be formed, the moon in the eight house of the natal chart being one of the ways. However, there are no rules of thumb to Kaal Sarp Dosha and it requires a good astrologer to study the planetary position accurately. The person suffering from Kaal Sarp Yoga finds it difficult life to lead a happy life. He/she suffering from Kaal Sarp Dosha has problems in married life, loss of money and constant health problems. The Dosha can be cured and control by offering prayers to Lord Shiva at some chosen destinations. Srikalahasti is one of them.

Rahu-Ketu/ Sarpdosha/ Grahadoshas/Sarvadoshas Puja
Rahu Ketu Sarpdosha Puja is performed in order to minify ill effects of yoga. Thousands of devotees flock to Srikalahasti to get the desired results through this pooja. Many of these pujas are performed with ascertained results for those who suffer with marital discord, not begetting children, problems in jobs and many long-standing problems. The puja is performed to neutralize the malefic effects of the planets and cut out its negative effect on the life of the individual.

Rahu Ketu Dosh Nivaran Puja at Srikalahasti
Charges: Rs 600 per person. Only 3 people are allowed at a time on purchase of one ticket of Sarp Dosh Pooja. The charges are inclusive of the puja ingredients. A special rahu ketu pooja can be availed by paying Rs 1500 (excluding the dakshina).

The temple is renowned for the Rahu-Ketu Dosh Nivaran puja; there are hundreds of pooja performed daily. Srikalahasti Temple is mostly recommended for Rahu Ketu Pooja than for normal darshans. As the temple hosts number of different poojas, there are particular counters selling tickets for specific pooja. People must bear in mind that the cost for special pooja is inclusive of puja samagri (puja material).

Puja Samagri: Two metal image of Rahu and Ketu, with the prasadam of Laddu and Vada, flowers (from a different counter), vermillion (sindoor) and turmeric (haldi)


The Pooja: The Rahu ketu Pooja lasts for 30-40 minutes, and it is always better to get the pooja performed during Rahukalam, preferably on Saturdays. Unlike other pooja that consist of hawan or homa (fire ceremony), the Rahu-Ketu Nivran Pooja is all done by chanting mantras for two metallic snake strips that represent Rahu and Ketu. Flowers and vermillion are sprinkled or proffered to the rahu-ketu representing metals while the mantra is cantillated to complete the whole puja routine. Mantra recitations are also done in favour of one’s gotra, caste and janamnakshtra . The person, in whose name the puja is offered, is required to discard their clothes and take bath after the pooja. The act is symbolic of doing away with the ill effects.

Note: It is suggested and advised to plan your journey exclusively if going for pooja as it takes fair amount of time for the completion of the same.

Pooja Timings
Monday 7.30 am to 9 am
Tuesday 3 pm to 4.30 pm
Wednesday 12 O’clock to 1.30 pm
Thursday 1.30 pm to 3 pm
Friday 10.30 am to 12 noon
Saturday 9.00 am to 10.30 am
Sunday 4.30 pm to 6 pm