Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple (Kapila Theertham), Andhra Pradesh

Address

Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple (Kapila Theertham), Chittoor District, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh – 517504

Diety

Sri Kapileswarar Amman: Kamatchi Ambal

Introduction

Kapileswara Swamy Temple (Kapila Theertham) is 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 theerthas (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

Puranic Significance

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. 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. 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

Beliefs

A holy dip here is believed to rid the devotees of all sins.

Special Features

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.

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).