Srikalahasti, derives its name from the combination of the Sanskrit words Sri (spider), Kala (snake) and Hasti (elephant), which once worshipped the Shiva lingam here and attained moksha.[6]

As per another legend, Vayu and Adishesha had a dispute to find out who is superior. To prove their superiority, Adishesha encircled Mount Kailash, Vayu tried to disentangle him by creating a vortex. The vortex resulted in eight parts from Kailash fell into eight different places which are Trincomalee, Srikalahasti, Tiruchirappalli, Thiruenkoimalai, Rajathagiri, Neerthagiri, Ratnagiri, and Swethagiri Thirupangeeli.[7]