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Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple (Kapila Lingam) – Tirupati
“Sarvadosha Parihaaraka Lingam
Naumi Maha Kapileswara Lingam”
The above Sloka makes it amply clear that worshipping Lord Shiva at this shrine is enough to break free from all shackles in life. Sri Kapileswara Swamy temple at the foot of Tirumala Hills in Tirupati derived its name from the sage Kapila, who is known for his ardent devotion to Lord Shiva.
The sage performed penance seeking to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva, but the Lord, who is known to test the devotees’ perseverance, did not turn up so easily. The undaunted sage Kapila continued his penance rigorously for a longer time when Lord Shiva presented before him at this very location, which came to be known as Kapila Theertham in memory of the sage.
Shiva resides here in the form of a Linga, which is known as ‘Kapila Lingam’.
Click here for the location on Google Maps
The sage walked through a cavity in a cave to reach the picturesque waterfall and performed his penance. The waterfall has become so popular today that devotees reaching Tirupati make it a point to take a shower under the waterfall or a holy dip in the abutting ‘Pushkarini’ before embarking on their holy trek to Tirumala Hills for a grand ‘darshan’ of Lord Venkateswara.
There is one more reason for considering the waterfall as sacred. Puranas mention that on the Full Moon Day in the month of Karthika, water from all the holy water springs (Theerthams) found in the three celestial worlds i.e., heaven, earth and underworld converge atop Tirumala Pushkarini.
The Seshachalam Hills are the home to several ‘theerthams.’ The devotees believe that the water from 365 sacred ‘theerthams’ atop Tirumala joins in the stream and finally reaches Kapila Theertham as a gushing waterfall. It is believed that taking a shower under the waterfall rids one of the sins incurred during the previous births.
Apart from the sacred nature, the water is also known to have medicinal properties since it traverses through the hills and comes into contact with the rare herbs located atop the pristine Tirumala Hills. Standing under the gushing water for a short period instils a sense of peace and tranquillity in one’s mind and improves one’s concentration and inner serenity.
History of the Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple
The temple has been visited by several kings of the Pallava and Vijayanagara dynasties. The glory of the shrine can be found in the inscriptions dating back to the period of King Kulothunga Chola. These ancient inscriptions belong to the 10th Century and are among the oldest pertaining to this temple.
The Garbha Gruham of this temple is 6.75 x 7.25 x 7 cubic feet, with a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Linga. The Puranas say that Lord Shiva was impressed with the sage Kapila’s penance, created a tremor and came out by breaking the earth. This is why the Linga is seen in the exact colour of the rocks found in Tirumala.
Next to it is the shrine of Kamakshi Ammavaru. At the Mukha Mandapam, the ‘Nandi’ faces Kapileswara, the Uma Maheswara image at the north and Surya Narayana image and a small Vinayaka image at the south. The idol of Chandikeswara is located in the north passage meant for ‘pradakshina.’
There is a secret room situated between Swamy and Ammavari Sannidhis which used to have an entry from Sri Kamakshi Ammavari Sannidhi. The chamber now remains closed with a heavy granite slab placed at its entrance and fully closed with brick and mortar.
In front of it, there is an image of ant-hill, above which the statues of sage Kapila doing penance and Kapileswara Swamy appearing before him are neatly sketched, while a wooden idol of ‘Kamadhenu’ (wish-fulfilling cow) and its calf are also present.
According to historical records, the temple had only a general income of 50 Pulivarahas, 11 Mailis and 20 Kasu or roughly Rs.200 during the 19th century.
Since there was no contribution from Dharmam, there was no Dharmakarta for the temple. Only an ‘archaka’ and his clerk functioned in the temple. The responsibility of safeguarding the temple was vested with the Palegar of Karakambadi.
Naivedyam
The temple opens at 5 AM with Suprabhatham and later Abhishekam is performed to Swamyvaru, Ammavaru and the ‘Parivara Devathas.’ Alankaram, the process of adorning ornaments and garlands, will be completed by 7 AM., after which ‘naivedyam’ is performed, where venpongal, pulihora and suddhannam are offered to the deity. Dhadyojanam (curd rice) is offered during the ‘Uchikaala Puja’ performed by noon.
Abhishekam is once again performed at 4 PM, followed by recitation of the Sahasranamams of the Lord and the Goddess, after which chakkara pongal, vada, payasam and suddhannam are offered to the deity as ‘naivedyam’. Poli is made as a special offering to Goddess Kamakshi on Fridays.
Maha Deeparadhana is performed to Lord Shiva in the evening as a special ritual by beating Damarukam. Abhishekam is performed to the deities of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Subramanya on special occasions like Sankatahara Chaturthi and Krithika Nakshatram respectively.
Ekanta Seva is a special occasion, where the deity of Lord Shiva is taken in a procession to the Pavalimpu chamber (Palliyarai) and left to stay in the company of His spouse Sri Kamakshi. Ksheerannam is offered as ‘prasadam’ at this time. In the morning, the priests wake up Lord Shiva and take Him back to His Sannidhi.
Special Rituals
Special occasions like Vinayaka Chavithi and Subbaraya Shashti are celebrated with gaiety and Laksha Kumkumarchana is performed to Ammavaru on Friday in Tamil month ‘Aadi’. Similarly, ‘laksha bilvarchana’ is performed to Lord Shiva in the month of Kartheeka.
In Dhanurmasam, Theppotsavam is performed for five days before Arudra Star, where the ‘Panchamurthi’ idols of Vinayaka, Subramanya, Swamyvaru, Ammavaru and Chandikeswara are taken on each day in a flotilla in the pond.
The temple of Sri Govindaraja Swamy has a special attachment with the Kapila Theertham Pushkarini, as the deities arrive here for several holy occasions in a year. Lord Govindaraja arrives here for ‘Chakra Snanam’ on the last day of His Annual Brahmotsavams.
Similarly, the deity Govindaraja, accompanied by those of Andal, Bhashyakara, Vishvaksena, Alvars and Acharyas, are brought here for the ‘Thanneeramudhu’ festival marking the completion of the Annual Adhyayanotsavam. The other occasions are Kartheeka Pournami and Sravana Pournami. Goddess Andal arrives here for the Kanuma, a day after Sankranti festival is celebrated.
The deity Chakrathalwar (Sudarsana Chakra) is brought in the early hours of ‘Ratha Sapthami’ and given a holy dip in the tank, after which He immediately returns to Govindaraja Swamy temple. All the seven processions on this auspicious day are taken out only after His return.
Venkatanayaka Manitha Lingam
Preritha Vakula Prarthitha Lingam
Vaivahikamanumodhaka Lingam
Naumi Maha Kapileswara Lingam
This Sloka highlights how eligible bachelors and maids pray to tie the nuptial knot. Apart from removing the sins, this temple is also famous for the performance of weddings. This verse says that Vakula Matha, the foster mother of Lord Srinivasa, prayed at this shrine ahead of her son’s wedding with the princess Padmavathi.
Conclusion
The glory of the temple touches its peak during the Annual Brahmotsavams that coincide with Maha Shivaratri. Thousands of devotees converge here to offer prayers in this temple on the auspicious occasion. May Lord Kapileswara shower His abundant and graceful blessings on all His devotees!
