Srikalahasti is a major Shaiva temple town on the Swarnamukhi River in the present Tirupati district context. The district's religious-tourism page identifies the river and shrine. It is also a Kalamkari centre, but a textile question and a temple question ask for different aspects of the same place. The “Sri, Kala, Hasti” animal story belongs to local sacred tradition; it should be presented as a story rather than an independently dated historical event.

The stable exam chain is Srikalahasti—Shiva—Swarnamukhi—southern AP. This distinguishes it from Tirumala—Venkateswara and Amaravati—Amareswara. Nearby geography is a stronger clue than a generic photograph of a gopuram, since many southern temples share architectural features. If an MCQ asks for an ancient date or a specific ritual schedule, check an archaeological or current temple source respectively. Do not infer that the GI's historical district label for Srikalahasti Kalamkari equals its present administrative district.

Worked example: Srikalahasti is a Shiva temple town by the Swarnamukhi. An MCQ may supply the river as the unique clue and offer Tirumala nearby as a distraction. Both are in the southern pilgrimage belt, but their primary deity and physical settings differ. Answer the question's requested field: river, temple, town or present district.

Active recall: Pair Srikalahasti with river, deity and craft. Which of these asks for a different evidence source?