Kapila Theertham

2021-03-01T04:12:29Z

2409:4070:2E99:493D:0:0:A4CA:8611:

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Refimprove|date=August 2015}}

{{Infobox Hindu temple
| image = Kapilatheertam.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Andhra Pradesh
| map_caption = Location in Andhra Pradesh
| coordinates = {{coord|13|39|23|N|79|25|15|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| district = [[Chittoor district|Chittoor]]
| locale = [[Tirupati]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Shiva|lord Shiva]] as Kapileswara
| festivals= [[Maha Shivaratri]], [[Karthika Masam]], Kapileswara Swamy Brahmotsavams
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity = 9
| inscriptions = [[Sanskrit]] and [[Dravidian languages]]
| temple_board = [[Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams]]
| website = [http://www.tirumala.org/ tirupati.org]
}}
{{Hinduism small}}

'''Kapila Theertham''' is a famous [[lord Shiva|Saivite]] Temple and [[Theertham]], located at [[Tirupati]] in the Chittoor District of [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]. The idol is believed to be installed by [[Kapila|Kapila Muni]] and hence Lord [[Shiva|Siva]] 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 Temple [[Pushkarini]] known as "''Kapila Theertham''".
A huge stone statue of a seated bull "[[Nandi (bull)|Nandhi]]", Shiva's steed, greets devotees and passersby at the entrance to the temple.

==Etymology==
The Temple and [[Theertham]] had derived its name from [[Kapila]] Muni.<ref name=ttd>{{cite web|title=Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams-Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple|url=http://www.tirumala.org/TemplesAtTirupathi.aspx#id5|publisher=Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams|access-date=31 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009144147/http://www.tirumala.org/TemplesAtTirupathi.aspx#id5|archive-date=9 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== 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.<ref name=ttd /> The [[Lingam]] is believed to be [[Swayambu|self-manifested]].<ref name=ttd /> Kapila muni is believed to emerged from the Bilam(Cavity) in the Pushkarini(Theertham) on to the earth.<ref name=ttd />

== History ==
{{Citation needed span|text=The temple received very good patronage from the Kings of [[Vijayanagara]] in the 13th thru 16th centuries, especially [[Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya]], and the eternally 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.|date=December 2020}}

==Administration==
The present day temple is under the administration of [[Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams]](TTD).<ref name=ttdnews3>{{cite web|title= KAPILATEERTHAM DECKS UP FOR THE BIG EVENT-MAHA SHIVA RATHRI MAHOTSAVAM|url=http://news.tirumala.org/kapilateertham-decks-up-for-the-big-event-maha-shiva-rathri-mahotsavam/|publisher=Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams|access-date=2015-08-20}}</ref> Under TTD this temple receives continued protection and sustainance, annual festivals that are celebrated great splendour.<ref name=ttdnews3 />

==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).<ref name=ttd /> {{Citation needed span|text=It is believed that persons bathing in it at that auspicious time will attain salvation from the cycle of birth and death ('[[Brahmaloka]]').|date=December 2020}}
{{Citation needed span|text=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.|date=December 2020}}

==Festivals==
The 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.<ref name=ttdnews1>{{cite web|title= SRI KAPILESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE ANNUAL FETE BEGINS WITH DHWAJAROHANAM|url=http://news.tirumala.org/sri-kapileswara-swamy-temple-annual-fete-begins-with-dhwajarohanam/|publisher=Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams|access-date=2015-08-20}}</ref> 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).<ref name=ttdnews1 /><ref name=ttdnews2>{{cite web|title= RELIGIOUS FERVOUR MARKS "TRISHULA SNANAM"|url=http://news.tirumala.org/religious-fervour-marks-trishula-snanam/|publisher=Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams|access-date=2015-08-20}}</ref>

==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.

==See also==
*[[Hindu Temples in Tirupati]]
*[[Kapila]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}
{{Shaivism}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Chittoor district]]
[[Category:Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Tirupati]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Andhra Pradesh]]

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Kapila Theertham