Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple - Kapila Theertham
It is believed that Sri
Kapileswara Shiva linga is Swayambhu. This lingam was installed by Kapila
Maharshi.
Goddess Parvati is the
consort of Lord Shiva.
There is a unique
waterfall where the mountain streams drop from a height of over 100 feet into a large pond in front of
the temple.
The temple receives an innumerable number of devotees, especially during the annual Shivarathri Festival. Another good time to visit Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple is during the festival of annual Brahmotsavam when it also participates actively along with other shrines of Tirupati. Vinayaka Utsava and Karthika Deepam are two other important celebrations here. The sight of hundreds of Deepams illuminating the premises of the temple during Karthika Deepam is breathtaking.
Sri Kapileswaraswami temple,
Saint Kapila Maharshi was said to have lived here, worshipped, and meditated in
the cave in front of the idol of Lord Shiva, hence the place is named after
the saint Kapila Theertham, Lord Shiva named Kapileshwara Swamy.
The temple is south facing
temple with a Dravidian Style of architecture. Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple
consists of Bali peetam in front of Dhwaja Sthambham.
On these temple walls, we can
observe paintings (Cow pouring milk on Shiva Linga). The greatness of Lord Sri
Kapileswara was mentioned in the Kulothunga Chola inscriptions. These are the
most ancient inscriptions among all the inscriptions found in the temple and
belong to the 10th century. Here there is a Ratha Mandapam. At the entrance of the temple, there is a big pushkarini. This pushkarini is surrounded on its three
sides by pillared mandapas. The shiva lingam here is made of brass. A huge
stone statue of a seated bull Nandi.
Maharishi Kapila, who was an
ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Pleased with his unwavering devotion, Lord Shiva
along with Goddess Parvati gave him their divine darshan at this location.
During the same time, a Kapila Lingam appeared out of the Earth.
According to temple legend
Kapila Muni had performed penance to Shiva at this place and blessed with the
Muni's devotion, Shiva and Parvathi presented themselves. It may be mentioned
here that Tirumala is Kaliyuga Vaikuntam and Sri Vaikuntanathan has manifested
himself as Lord Srinivasa. The scared Tirumala Hills consisting of seven peaks
is considered to be seven hooded Adisesha. Before going to have a darshan of
Perumal, one is supposed to shed his/her ill qualities like anger, desire, and lust
and one has to approach Lord with sattva gunam. Hence, it is recommended to go
to Kapila Theertham before trekking the hills. Out of 1008 Theerthams in
Tirumala, Kapila Theertham is the only Divya/Holy Theertham that is at the
foot of the hill. The water springs up from Lord's right toe in one of the
cliffs and hence Kapila Theertham is considered to be very sacred.
Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple is
constructed between the period of 13th- 16th centuries by Krishnadevaraya
-Vijayanagara King.
The temple observes all
significant Shaiva festivals, such as Maha Shivaratri, Karthika Deepam,
Vinayaka Chavithi, and Adikirtika, among others. The largest festival of the
temple, Kapileswara Swamy Brahmotsavams, is observed by TTD in February. The
procession of Lord Shiva and Parvathi will take place over the course of nine
days, beginning with the Hamsa vahanam and concluding with the Trishula snanam.
Within the premises of
the main temple, there are many sub-shrines. Among these are a few temples
dedicated to Shiva, Vinayaka, Subramanya, Agasthesswara, and Rukmini Satyabhama
Sametha Sri Krishna.
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