Kapila Theertham temple is located at the entrance to a mountain cave in one of the steep and vertical faces at the foot of the Tirumala hills, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, which are part of Seshachalam Hills, where the waters of the mountain stream Papa Vinasam fall directly into the temple tank. At the temple entrance is a stone statue of Nandi, Shiva’s bull mount. The self-manifested (Swayambhu) vigraha of Shiva is believed to have been installed by Kapila Muni, so Shiva here is known as Kapileswara. There are seven mountains in Tirumala known as seven hills, i.e., Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri. Kapila Theertham temple is situated on Venkatadri which is the seventh peak and so it also is known as the ‘Temple of Seven Hills.’
Legend
According to temple legend, Kapila Muni had performed penance to Shiva at this place and pleased with the Muni’s devotion, Shiva and Parvathi gave darshan to him. The Shiv Lingam is believed to be self-manifested. Kapila Muni is believed to have emerged from the Bilam (cavity) in the Pushkarini (Theertham) on to the earth at this place. There is also a sacred lake Sarovara that came into existence in front of Kapila Theertham temple. It came through the opening created by the lake through which Kapila maharishi arrived on the earth. Out of 108 Theerthams in Tirumala, Kapila Theertham Temple is the only holy Theertham that is located at the foot of Tirumala hill. This Theertham is very sacred and devotees visit this temple in a large number.
There are many sub-shrines with-in the main temple premises at Kaplia Theertham. Temples for Kamakshi-concert of Shiva, Vinayaka, Karthikeya, Agastheswara, Rukmini Satyabhama Sametha Sri Krishna are few among them.
Temple History
The historical description of Kapila Theertham temple goes back to 10th century. It also has been referred in the ancient inscriptions of Kulottunga Chola Kingdoms (11th to 13th centuries AD). The history of this temple reveals that many great kingdoms and sages have worked for the development of the temple which included Pallava kings (3 rd to 9th Centuries AD), Vijayanagara kings (14th to 17th Centuries AD) and Tirumala Mahants (19th and 20th Centuries AD).
The Pallavas of Kanchipuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Tanjore (10th century), and Vijayanagara Kings (14th to 17th centuries) were committed devotees of Bhagwan Venkateswara. During the invasion of Srirangam Temple by Malik Kafur in 1310–11 AD, the Ranga Mandapam of the Kapila Theertham temple served as the shelter for the presiding deity of Srirangam, Ranganatha Swamy.
In 1517 Vijayanagara ruler Sri Krishna Deva Raya, on one of his many visits to the temple, donated gold and jewels. This enabled the Vimana (inner shrine) roofing to be gilded. Statues of Sri Krishna Deva Raya and his spouse stand in the premises of the temple. After the decline of Vijayanagara Empire, kings from states such as Mysore and Gadwal donated ornaments and valuables to the kapila theertham temple.
The temple received very good patronage from the rulers of Vijayanagara (14th to 17th centuries AD) 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.
During the period of King Achyuta deva Raya of Vijayanagara Dynasty (1529-1542 AD) this temple came to be known as Alwar Theertham. Vishnu devotees installed 4 Sudarshan Shilas (stones) in four corners of the Pushkarini and this place was known as Chakra Theertham.
In earlier times, devotees used to bathe in the Kapila Theertham before climbing the holy hills, and even the footpath to reach the Tirumala Balaji Temple used to begin here. However, the hill being steep here, it was quite a difficult climb, and hence, the steps were moved to the present location near Alipiri.
It is believed that during ‘Kartika’ month on the ‘Purnima’ (full moon) day, all the teerthas situated in the three worlds merge into this Kapila Theertham at noon for ten ‘Ghatikas’, i.e., 4 hours (one ghatika is equivalent to 24 minutes). It is believed that persons bathing in Kapila Theertham at that auspicious time will attain salvation from the cycle of birth and death (‘Brahmaloka‘). Those who have never offered Pindam (thidhi or shradh) to their departed ancestor souls can do it here and wash off their sins for non-performance of it in past.
Festivals:
The temple celebrates all important festivals of Shaivism which includes Maha Shivaratri, Karthika Deepam, Vinayaka Chavithi, etc. Kapileswara Swamy Brahmotsavams is the biggest event of the temple celebrated during the month of February. It is a nine-day event where the processional deity of Bhagwan Shiva and Parvathi are taken in procession on different vahanams starting with Hamsa vahanam and ending with Trishula snanam (celestial bath to Shiva Trident).
Karthika Deepam: Karthika Deepam is celebrated when the full moon is in the conjunction with the constellation Karthika. This constellation appears as the group of six stars. These six stars are considered as the six celestial ladies, who mothered the six babies, who were joined together to form six faced Subramanya Swamy. Hence, Subramanya is called the Kartikeya. This festival also celebrates Bhagwan Shiva appearing as an endless flame and people light the lamps at Kapila Theertham falls at the highest point, in this festival.
Skanda Shasti: This festival is celebrated on the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Aippasi (October- November months, also known as Ashwayuja) in Saivite temples all over Tamil Nadu. It commemorates the destruction of evil by the supreme general Kartikeya who is the son of Bhagwan Shiva. The devotees undertake fasts, prayers and devotional singing to Bhagwan Muruga. The devotees stay in the temple for these six days.
Float Festival: Float Festival is celebrated on the night of full moon between mid-January and mid-February each year. The ornamented icons of both the deities God Sundaresa (incarnation of Bhagwan Shiva) and Goddess Meenakshi (Incarnation of Parvati) are taken out in a splendid possession. Devotees are clothed in yellow and red and they dance among the crowd and spray coloured water on each other. After the possession, the icons are floated around the temple tank. This festival attracts pilgrims all over the country.
Arudra Darsanam Utsavam: This festival takes place on the full moon night (December- January) and also considered as the longest night of the year. Unmarried women fast during the daytime and break the fast after the moon rise. The dancing form of Bhagwan Shiva (Nataraja) is taken out in the procession. The cosmic dance of Bhagwan Shiva is enacted on that day.
Mahashivratri: This festival signifies the marriage of Bhagwan Shiva and Parvati. It is celebrated in February or March. The devotees do fasting on this day and there are processions that are held on this day. There are also some special pujas that are performed during the day and the temple is decorated very beautifully.
Besides these festivals, the other festivals that are celebrated with great enthusiasm are Vinayaka Utsavam, Annabhishekam and Kamakshi Devi Chandana Alankaram.
Currently the temple is under the administration of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
Cave Temple: The main temple structure is built around a natural cave entrance, adding to its unique character and historical charm.
Waterfall Attraction: The Kapila Theertham waterfalls, located within the temple complex, are a popular tourist attraction, especially during the rainy season.
Convenient Location: Situated at the foothills of Tirumala, the temple is easily accessible for pilgrims and tourists visiting the area. It is a very calm and beautiful place where one can enjoy nature with the spiritual atmosphere.
Kapila Theertham temple is located at a distance of 2 KMs from Tirupati Central Bus Stand, and 3.2 KMs from Tirupati Railway Station. Renigunta Airport is around 17 KMs from Kapila Theertham Temple. Tirupati town is well connected by air, road and train routes from all over the country.
