Srikalahasti is located in Chittoor district on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi. It is one of the important ancient Siva kshetras of South India. The temple occupies the area between the river bank and the foot of the hills and is popularly known as Dakshina Kailasam. The three lofty Gopurams of the temple are remarkable for their architecture. This temple is built in the period of Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar. A huge hundred pillared Mantapam is another important feature of this shrine.

When one enters the temple town of Srikalahasti, what strikes instantly is the old world - charm it still breathes, reflecting our culture in all its grandeur. Something that one can not fail to take notice of is the huge temple tower, majestically standing in the middle of the busy road filled with shops on either side and bustling with pilgrims.

Surprisingly, unlike other such towers, it does not lead to the inner precincts of the temple. The reason for the construction of this huge temple tower is said to be the attempt of the town- planners to change the course of the river Swarnamukhi and give the temple town more space!

When it was recently renovated, the antiquity of the tower was established to be nearly thousand years old. The various stupas and temple monuments that one comes across testify to the antiquity of the place.