What is Rahu Ketu Pooja?
Rahu Ketu Pooja is a ritual offered to Rahu and Ketu, the two shadow planets of Vedic astrology. Devotees believe these planets can bring delays and obstacles, and that worship at Srikalahasti, the Vayu Linga temple, can bring peace and relief. Families travel here from many states, and most combine the pooja with darshan of Lord Kalahasteeswara and Goddess Gnana Prasunambika.
Who takes part?
People of every age perform the pooja. Reasons devotees often mention include delayed marriage, obstacles at work, health worries and a Kalasarpa dosha noted in a horoscope. The temple does not promise any particular result, so treat the visit as an act of faith and not as a guarantee.
How to plan your day
- Book on the AP Temples portal or buy at the pooja counter inside the temple
- The pooja counters work from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and tickets range from ₹500 to ₹5,000
- If you want the pooja during Rahu Kalam, reach the temple 1 to 2 hours before it starts
- Carry your Aadhaar card or another photo ID
- Allow around half a day for queues, the pooja and darshan
What to wear and carry
Wear clean traditional clothes: dhoti or kurta pyjama for men, and saree or salwar kameez for women. Carry your ID, some cash for the counters, a bottle of water and a light shawl. Keep your phone silent and put it away during the pooja.
After the pooja
Once the ritual ends, collect the prasadam and take darshan of the Lord and the Goddess. Many families then sit quietly in a mandapam, walk by the Swarnamukhi river or drive on to Tirupati, which is 38 km away.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Arriving at midday without knowing the Rahu Kalam time for that day
- Paying agents who promise "confirmed" slots, because the AP Temples portal says it does not authorise agents
- Wearing shorts, sleeveless tops or ripped clothes
- Forgetting photo ID
- Planning a tight schedule on a Monday, weekend or festival day
Srikalahasti Temple at a glance
- Darshan: 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM (Sat to Mon), 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM (Tue to Fri)
- Rahu Ketu Pooja: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily, tickets ₹500 to ₹5,000
- Booking: AP Temples portal or the temple counters
- Distance: about 38 km from Tirupati and 110 km from Chennai
- Languages: English, Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam