What is Kalamkari?
Kalamkari means "pen work". It is a way of decorating cloth with natural dyes and fine drawing, and Srikalahasti is one of the best-known centres in Andhra Pradesh.
The Srikalahasti style
Artists here draw freehand with a bamboo pen and apply colours in careful stages, so every piece is slightly different. This differs from the block-printed Kalamkari practised in other parts of the state.
Themes and motifs
Many panels show scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas, along with temple figures, trees and flowers. They suit wall hangings, sarees, dupattas and bedspreads.
Tips for buying
- Ask to see the artist at work, and look for slightly irregular, hand-drawn lines
- Ask which dyes were used and compare a few shops
- Choose colours and size for the room before you buy
- Wash gently and dry in shade to protect the colours
Combine it with your visit
Workshops are a pleasant stop after darshan. Keep some time free in the afternoon and see our one-day itinerary for a full plan.
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