Kapileswara Swamy Temple (Kapila Theertham), Tirupati,
Andhra Pradesh
Kapileswara Swamy Temple (Kapila Theertham) is a Hindu
Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Tirupati in the Chittoor District of Andhra
Pradesh. Presiding Deity is called as
Kapileswara Swamy and Mother is called as Kamakshi Amman. Kapila Theertham and
the Temple is the only Shiva temple in the vicinity of Tirupati. It is also
said to be one of the 108 sacred teerthas (springs) on Tirumala hills. The temple is under the administration
of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram Hymns had a mention about this Temple.
Etymology
The idol is believed to be installed by Kapila
Muni and hence Lord Siva here is referred to as Kapileswara. The Temple
and Theertham had
derived its name from Kapila Muni.
Legends
According to Temple Legend Kapila Muni had performed penance to Siva at this place
and blissed with the Muni's devotion, Siva and Parvathi presented themselves. The Lingam is believed to be self-manifested. Kapila muni is believed to emerged from the Bilam
(Cavity) in the Pushkarini (Theertham) on to the earth.
History
Though this temple's significance has diminished due to
the hugely popular neighboring Temples in Tirumala and Tiruchanur, it received
very good patronage from the Kings of Vijayanagara in the 13th to 16th centuries,
especially Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya, and the famous Sri Krishna Deva Raya, and some of the later rulers like Venkatapathi Raya,
and Aliya Ramaraya, Sri Krishna Deva Raya's Son-in-law. There are inscriptions
from Kulothunga Chola. These are the most ancient inscriptions among all the
inscriptions found in the temple and belong to the 10th century.
The
Temple
The Temple is built according to Dravidian style of
architecture. There is an open pillared verandah in the front side of the Kapileswara
Swamy Temple. The pillars of this verandah were built in the early Vijayanagar
style. The Mahamandapam of the temple was constructed in the Vijayanagar style
and the inner hall and sanctum were built in the Chola style. The Temple stands
at the entrance to a mountain cave in one of the steep and vertical faces at
the foot of the Tirumala hills, part of Seshachalam
Hills, where the waters of the mountain
stream fall directly into Temple Pushkarini known as "Kapila Theertham".
Kapila Theertham is a famous waterfall situated inside
Kapileswara Swamy Temple at the foot of Seshadri Hills in Tirupati. This is a
unique waterfall where the water of mountain streams drops from a height of
over 100 feet into a large pond in the temple premises. It is one of the must
visit tourist places in Tirupati and a major pilgrimage site in Tirupati city. A huge stone statue of a seated bull "Nandhi", greets devotees and passersby at the entrance to
the temple.
Presiding Deity is called as Kapileswara Swamy. Lord is
housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The Shiva Linga is considered to
be self-manifested or Swayambu form of Lord Shiva. The Siva lingam here is made
of brass. Mother is called as Kamakshi Amman. The shrine dedicated to Goddess
Kamakshi can be seen in the left of the tower and in front of this a small
Nandi was installed. There are shrines for Vinayaka, Subramanya, Agastheeswarar
and Lord Krishna with his consorts Rukmini & Satyabhama in the Temple
premises.
Temple
Opening Time
The temple remains open from 5:00 AM till 4:00 PM and
from 4:30 PM till 9:00 PM.
Festivals
The temple celebrates all important festivals of Shaivism which includes Maha
Shivaratri, Annabishekam, Karthika
Deepam, Vinayaka
Chathurthi, Adi Krithika etc. Kapileswara
Swamy Brahmotsavams is the biggest event of the temple celebrated by TTD during
the month of February. It is a nine-day event where the processional deity
of Lord Shiva and Parvathi will be taken procession on different vahanams
starting with Hamsa vahanam and ending with Trishula snanam (celestial bath to
Siva Trident).
Religious
Importance
During 'Kartika' month on the occasion of its "Mukkoti"
on the 'Purnima' (full moon) day, all the teerthas situated in the three-world’s
merge into this Kapila Theertham at noon for ten 'Ghatikas '(one Ghatikas is
equivalent to 24 minutes). It is believed that persons bathing in it at
that auspicious time will attain salvation from the cycle of birth and death. Moreover,
those who have never offered Pindam (thidhi or thadhhina) to their departed
ancestor souls can do it here and wash off your sins for non-performance of it
in past.
Literary
Mention
The Temple is considered as
Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this
Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 6th Thirumurai in 71st
Patikam in 5th Song.
பெà®°ுக்காà®±ு சடைக்கணிந்த பெà®°ுà®®ான் சேà®°ுà®®்
பெà®°ுà®™்கோயில் எழுபதினோ டெட்டுà®®் மற்à®±ுà®™்
கரக்கோயில் கடிபொà®´ில்சூà®´் ஞாà®´à®±் கோயில்
கருப்பறியல் பொà®°ுப்பனைய கொகுடிக் கோயில்
இருக்கோதி மறையவர்கள் வழிபட் டேத்துà®®்
இளங்கோயில் மணிக்கோயில் ஆலக் கோயில்
திà®°ுக்கோயில் சிவனுà®±ையுà®™் கோயில் சூà®´்ந்து
தாà®´்ந்திà®±ைஞ்சத் தீவினைகள் தீà®°ு மன்à®±ே
Best Time
to Visit
This is a good place to visit during the monsoons as the
water fall looks breathtaking. The waterfall would be empty in late winter and
summer seasons.
Prayers
A holy dip here is believed to rid the devotees of all
sins.
Contact
Kapileswara Swamy Temple
(Kapila Theertham),
Tirupati, Chittoor District –
517 504
Andhra Pradesh
Phone: +91 877 226
587
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 250 meters from Kapila
Theertham Bus Stop, 3.5 Kms from Tirupati Central Bus Station, 3.5 Kms from Tirupati
Railway Station, 16 Kms from Tirumala Venkateswara Swamy Temple, 53 Kms from Tirupati
Airport, 74 Kms from Srikalahasthi, 102 Kms from Chittoor and 179 Kms from
Chennai Airport.
Location
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