Kapila Theertham is a small

Shaivite Shaivism (, , ) is one of the major Hindu traditions, which worships Shiva as the supreme being. It is the second-largest Hindu sect after Vaishnavism, constituting about 385 million Hindus, found widely across South Asia (predominantly in ...

temple and theertham, located at Tirupati in

Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (ISO 15919, ISO: , , AP) is a States and union territories of India, state on the East Coast of India, east coast of southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, seventh-largest state and th ...

, India. The idol of Shiva is believed to have been installed by Kapila, so Shiva here is referred to as ''Kapileswara''. 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, which are part of Seshachalam Hills, where the waters of the mountain stream fall directly into a temple tank. At the temple entrance is a stone statue of Nandi, Shiva's bull mount.

Etymology

The temple and Theertham had derived its name from Kapila Muni.

Legend

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 A lingam ( , lit. "sign, symbol or mark"), sometimes referred to as linga or Shiva linga, is an abstract or Aniconism, aniconic representation of the Hinduism, Hindu Hindu deities, god Shiva in Shaivism. The word ''lingam'' is found in the Up ...

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

The temple received very good patronage from the rulers of Vijayanagara in the 13th thru 16th centuries, especially

Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya (1431–1491), also known as Saluva Narasimha and Saluva Narasimha I, was the founder of the Saluva dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire, and ruled from 1485 until his death in 1491. A patron of the Madhwa saint Sripadar ...

, and the well known Sri Krishna Deva Raya, and some of the later rulers like Venkatapathi Raya, and Aliya Ramaraya, Sri Krishna Deva Raya's son-in-law.

Administration

The present day temple is under the administration of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams(TTD). Under TTD this temple receives continued protection and sustainance, annual festivals that are celebrated great splendour.

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 Teertham at noon for ten 'Ghatikas' (one ghatika 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 ('

Brahmaloka Brahmaloka (Sanskrit: ब्रह्मालोक, IAST: Brahmāloka) or Satyaloka (Sanskrit: सत्यलोक) sometimes refers to the realm of Brahma, the creator god, a member of the Trimurti along with Vishnu and Shiva, along with his ...

'). 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.

Festivals

The temple celebrates all important festivals of

Shaivism Shaivism (, , ) is one of the major Hindu denominations, Hindu traditions, which worships Shiva as the Para Brahman, supreme being. It is the Hinduism#Demographics, second-largest Hindu sect after Vaishnavism, constituting about 385 million H ...

which includes

Maha Shivaratri Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually to worship the deity Shiva, between February and March. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival is observed on the fourteenth day of the first half (night start with darkness - ...

, Karthika Deepam, Vinayaka Chavithi, Adikirtika 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 taken procession on different vahanams starting with Hamsa vahanam and ending with Trishula snanam (celestial bath to Siva Trident).

Sub-shrines

There are many sub-shrines with-in the main temple premises. Temples for Kamakshi-concert of Shiva, Vinayaka, Subhramanya, Agasthesswara, Rukmini Satyabhama Sametha Sri Krishna are few among them.

External links

Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams

References

{{Shaivism Tirupati Hindu temples in Tirupati district Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Buildings and structures in Tirupati Shiva temples in Andhra Pradesh