Swarna Mukhi River Sri Kalahasti flows next to Temple. It is not a perennial river, River flows to the max during Oct, Nov and Dec months.
Birthplace of Swarna Mukhi River
Swarna Mukhi river rises at Agasthyachala, Near Anjaneya gutta, Chandragiri Hills and then passes through valley reaches Sri Kalahasti then flows till Nellore and joins the sea at Vakadu. At Sri Kalahasti another river lets Bheema, Kalyani joins Swarna Mukhi.
Swarna Mukhi River connects five Saivite (Shiva) Temples along its path of journey.
1) Sri Agatheeswara Swamy Temple, Mukkoti ( Near Thondavada, Chandragiri)
2) Sri Parasu Rameswara Swamy Temple, Gudimallam
3) Sri Parasareswara Swamy Temple, Yogimallavaram
4) Sri Moolasthaneswara Swamy Temple, Gajula Mandyam
5) Sri Kalahasti Temple ( 35 Km from Tirupati )
How Swarna Mukhi associated with Puranas
Swarna Mukhi is associated with Mount Meru. It is said that there was an altercation between Adi Sesha the Serpent God and Vayu the God Of Wind. Which caused three blocks to be separated from Mount Meru and they all fell at three different places. One of these places was next to Swarna Mukhi Riveri. The other two places were in Trichy and Trincomalee in Sri Lanka.
Legend of Swarna Mukhi River
The original name for Swarna Mukhi is as Uttara Vahini as its course was changed as per the request of Sage Agasthya Swarna Mukhi river flows from South to North.
Another interesting story attached with Swarna Mukhi River is that, The Lord Brahma took bath here and prayed to Lord Shiva to get rid of the sin of killing children.
How Swarna Mukhi got its name?
The interesting story associated with Swarna Mukhi River Sri Kalahasti
In Skanda Purana, it is said that this Holy river once flowed with a sound resembling that of gold when struck with a hard piece and hence the name Swarna Mukhi for this river.
It is also believed that during the time of construction of Sri Kalahasti Temple, every evening, the labourers tired from a hard days’ work, would wash in the waters of Swarna Mukhi river near the Temple. When they would dip their hands into the water, they would often find gold coins. The number would depend on heaps of sand they carried from the river for constructing the temple. Swarna Mukhi means ‘One with a golden face’ ,
How Swarna Mukhi attached to Sri Kalahasti?
The elephant (Hasti) performed Abhishekam to the Lord with the water brought from the Swarna Mukhi River in its trunk after removing all the offerings of Snank (Sarpa) from the Idol.
Best time to take a dip in Swarna Mukhi River
It is also believed taking a holy dip in this river during Uttarayana Punya Kalam and serving Kalahastheeswara will clear all sins and rebirth.