Kapila Teertham, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

Kapila Teertham Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple

• The Holy Temple of ''Kapila Theertham'' is the only temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in over a 50 mile radius of the holy temple cities of Tirumala - Tirupati that abound with temples of the Vaishnavite Deity Vishnu.

• This huge temple stands at the entrance to a mountain cave in one of the steep and vertical faces at the foot of the amazing hills of Tirumala, where the waters of the mountain stream Paapa Vinashanam fall as a huge waterfall.

• A huge stone statue of a seated bull "Nandi", Lord Shiva's steed, greets devotees and passersby at the entrance to the temple.

Kapila Teertham, Tirupati

Legend

• One of the holiest of Hindu saints, Saint Kapila Maharshi, was said to have lived here, worshipped, and meditated in this very cave before the idol of Lord Shiva and hence the name "Kapila theertham", the word "theertham" meaning a holy lake or holy pond that formed due to the waterfalls.

Patronage

• Though this temple's significance has diminished due to the hugely popular neighboring Temples in Tirumala and Tiruchanoor, it 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 Venkatapati Raya, and Aliya Ramaraya, sri Krishna Deva Raya's Son-in-law.

• Under the able administration of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), this temple receives continued protection and sustenance, annual festivals that are celebrated in a pomp and celebration no lesser in significance than the popular Brahmotsavam of Tirumala on the hilltop.

• During 'Kartika' month on the occasion of its "mukkoti" on the 'Purnima' (full moon) day, all the tirthas 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').

• Moreover those who have ever offered pindam ( tithi or thadhani) to their father, mother or departed souls can do it here and wash off your sins for non performance of thadhani or devasam ( in tamil).

Key Words : Srinivasa Mangapuram, Alamelu Mangapuram, Govindaraja Swamy 
Temple, Kapila Teertham Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple, ISKON Sri Radha Krishna Mandir, Thondavada Temple, Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple, Nagalapuram, Chandragiri Fort, Kanipaakam Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple, Ardhagiri Sri Veera Anjaneya Swamy Temple