[LATEST] Best Days to Perform Srikalahasti Rahu Ketu Pooja

The best days to perform the Rahu-Ketu (Sarpa Dosha) pooja at the
Srikalahasti temple are the days traditionally linked with the shadow
planets and the serpent deities
—
Chaturthi, Panchami, Shashti, Amavasya (new moon), Pournami (full moon),
any Tuesday, and any day on which the Ashlesha nakshatram falls. Days of a solar eclipse (Surya Grahanam) or lunar eclipse (Chandra
Grahanam) are considered especially powerful, because Sri Kalahasteeswara
Swamy Vari Devasthanam is one of the few major temples that keeps the
Rahu-Ketu pooja running even on eclipse and Amavasya days when many other
shrines close. That said, the temple performs the pooja
every day of the year, so any day you can travel is a valid
day — the “best days” simply draw larger crowds.

For the Complete Guide to Srikalahasti Rahu Ketu Pooja, Click Here

Why devotees choose Srikalahasti for the Rahu-Ketu pooja

Srikalahasti, on the banks of the Swarnamukhi river in the Tirupati district
of Andhra Pradesh, is revered as the Dakshina Kailasam and as the
Vayu (air) Kshetra among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams. The temple
follows the Saivite tradition and enshrines Sri Kalahasteeswara Swamy. It is
best known nationally for the
Rahu-Ketu Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Shanti pooja, performed to
reduce the malefic effects attributed in Vedic astrology to the two shadow
planets, Rahu and Ketu.

Devotees typically undertake the pooja when they believe a Rahu or Ketu dosha
(including Kala Sarpa dosha, Sarpa dosha or Naga dosha in the birth chart) is
behind delays and difficulties — commonly cited concerns include delayed
marriage, childlessness, and recurring obstacles in career, business or
finances. The temple presents the ritual as a shanti (peace/remedial) pooja;
outcomes are a matter of faith rather than any guarantee.

Best days to perform the Rahu-Ketu pooja

Based on the traditional muhurtham associations for Rahu and Ketu, these are
the days most devotees prefer:

• Chaturthi, Panchami and Shashti — tithis associated
  with serpent/naga worship.
• Amavasya (new moon) and
  Pournami (full moon).
• Any Tuesday and days when the
  Ashlesha nakshatram occurs.
• Solar eclipse (Surya Grahanam) and
  lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahanam) days — regarded as
  the most potent, and the temple stays open for the pooja on these days.

Mondays are also popular by convention, but expect the heaviest crowds on
Mondays, weekends, Amavasya and eclipse days. If your goal is a calmer,
quicker turn, a regular weekday morning is easier. Because tithi and
nakshatram dates shift every month, check a current panchangam before you fix
your travel date.

Timings: when the pooja is performed each day

According to the official Sri Kalahastheeswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam, the
Rahu Ketu Sarpadosha Nivarana pooja is performed daily, roughly 6:00 AM to
5:00 PM
(some listings state up to 6:00 PM). It is not limited to a single slot
— batches run through the day, and one batch lasts about 30 minutes.
Devotees traditionally hold that the Rahu Kalam window of each day is
the most auspicious time to sit for the pooja. Rahu Kalam is calculated from
local sunrise, so the windows below are the commonly used approximate times
and can shift by a few minutes day to day:

You do not have to wait for Rahu Kalam — since the pooja runs all day,
many devotees simply arrive in the morning to finish early and avoid the
afternoon rush. Please confirm the day’s exact timings on the official
portal, as the schedule can be adjusted on festival days.

How to get a ticket: counter-only, same day

For the Rahu-Ketu pooja specifically, the temple’s stated practice is
that
tickets are issued at the temple counter on the same day of the
pooja. There is effectively an open quota for this seva, so advance online
reservation is generally not required — you buy the ticket at the
counter after you arrive, carry a valid photo ID (such as Aadhaar), and join
the next available batch. For darshan, other sevas and accommodation, the
Devasthanam and the AP Endowments department do offer online booking, but the
Rahu-Ketu Shanti pooja is normally handled as a walk-up counter transaction.

What the pooja costs

The Devasthanam offers the Rahu Ketu Sarpadosha Nivarana pooja in
several ticket categories at different price points (higher
categories usually mean less crowded, more comfortable seating). The official
Devasthanam listing shows tiers in the region of
₹500, ₹750, ₹1500, ₹2500 and ₹5000, and some sources mention lower-priced categories as well. Because published
figures vary between sources and are revised from time to time, treat these as
indicative only and
confirm the current categories and prices at the counter or on the official
portal
before you plan.

Practical tips for your visit

• Arrive early in the morning if you want to finish before the crowds build,
  especially on Mondays, weekends, Amavasya and eclipse days.
• Carry the photo ID you will use at the counter, and keep the ticket safe
  until the batch is called.
• Dress modestly in keeping with temple custom; men often wear traditional
  attire for the seva.
• Plan for a possible midday pause and for the roughly 30-minute batch, plus
  waiting time on busy days.

See also: Srikalahasti Temple Rahu Ketu Pooja Dress Code

Frequently asked questions

Which day is the best to do the Rahu-Ketu pooja at Srikalahasti?

Traditionally Chaturthi, Panchami, Shashti, Amavasya, Pournami, any Tuesday,
Ashlesha nakshatram days, and eclipse days are preferred. But the pooja is
performed every day, so any day you can travel works — the special days
simply draw bigger crowds.

Is the pooja done on Amavasya and eclipse days?

Yes. Unlike many temples that close during eclipses and Amavasya, Srikalahasti
is known for continuing the Rahu-Ketu pooja on these days, which is why they
are considered especially auspicious here.

Do I need to book online in advance?

For the Rahu-Ketu pooja, no — the temple issues tickets at the counter
on the same day, and there is an open quota. Online booking through the AP
Endowments portal is mainly used for darshan, other sevas and accommodation.

What are the pooja timings?

The Devasthanam performs the pooja daily from about 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM (some
listings say up to 6:00 PM), in batches of roughly 30 minutes. The Rahu Kalam
window of the day is traditionally seen as the most auspicious, but you can
sit in any batch.

How much does the pooja cost?

Several ticket categories are offered, with the official listing showing tiers
around ₹500 to ₹5000. Prices change over time, so confirm the
current rates at the counter or on the official portal.

How long does the pooja take?

One batch of the Rahu-Ketu Sarpadosha Nivarana pooja lasts about 30 minutes,
not counting the waiting time before your batch is called on busy days.

Sources & last verified (July 2026)

• Sri Kalahastheeswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam (official) —
  https://srikalahasthitemple.org/
• AP Endowments / AP Temples portal (official) —
  https://aptemples.ap.gov.in/ ; temple page
  https://www.aptemples.ap.gov.in/en-in/temples/SKHTD/aboutTemple
• Sri Kalahastheeswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam — temple info:
  https://tms.ap.gov.in/SRIKHT/cnt/about-temple

This site (tirumalatirupationline.com) is an independent
pilgrim-information guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or
partnered with the Sri Kalahastheeswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam, the AP
Endowments Department, TTD or any government body. Please verify current
timings, ticket categories and prices on the official portal before you
travel.

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026