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Kapila Theertham is a small Shaivite temple and theertham, located at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, India. The idol of Shiva is believed to have been installed by Kapila, so Shiva here is referred to as Kapileswara.
| Kapila Theertham | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Tirupati |
| Deity | Shiva as Kapileswara |
| Festivals | Maha Shivaratri, Karthika Masam, Kapileswara Swamy Brahmotsavams |
| Governing body | Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams |
| Location | |
| Location | Tirupati |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Country | India |
.svg)  Location in Andhra Pradesh | |
| Geographic coordinates | 13°39′23″N 79°25′15″E / 13.65639°N 79.42083°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian architecture |
| Temple(s) | 9 |
| Inscriptions | Telugu and Dravidian languages |
| Website | |
| tirupati.org | |
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 (bull), Shiva's bull mount.
Etymology
editThe temple and Theertham had derived its name from Kapila Muni.[1]
Legend
editAccording 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.[1] The Lingam is believed to be self-manifested.[1] Kapila muni is believed to emerged from the Bilam(Cavity) in the Pushkarini(Theertham) on to the earth.[1]
History
editThe temple received very good patronage from the Kings of Vijayanagara in the 13th thru 16th centuries, especially Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya, 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.[citation needed]
Administration
editThe present day temple is under the administration of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams(TTD).[2] Under TTD this temple receives continued protection and sustainance, annual festivals that are celebrated great splendour.[2]
Religious importance
editDuring '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).[1] It is believed that persons bathing in it at that auspicious time will attain salvation from the cycle of birth and death ('Brahmaloka').[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]
Festivals
editThe temple celebrates all important festivals of Shaivism which includes Maha Shivaratri, Karthika Deepam, Vinayaka Chavithi, Adikirtika etc. Kapileswara Swamy Brahmotsavams is the biggest event of the temple celebrated by TTD during the month of February.[3] 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).[3][4]
Sub-Shrines
editThere 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.
See also
editExternal links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams-Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple". Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- ^ a b "KAPILATEERTHAM DECKS UP FOR THE BIG EVENT-MAHA SHIVA RATHRI MAHOTSAVAM". Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ a b "SRI KAPILESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE ANNUAL FETE BEGINS WITH DHWAJAROHANAM". Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ "RELIGIOUS FERVOUR MARKS "TRISHULA SNANAM"". Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
