Kapileshwar Linga lies near a holy waterfall in Kapila Theertham. A small Lord Venkateswara idol was established here in 4th cave above the waterfall.
Other ancient Shiva temples around Tirupati
There are some other ancient and sacred Shiva temples near Tirupati. Those are the most ancient Gudimallam Parasurameshwara temple in Gudimallam, Parasareswara temple in Yogi Mallavaram which is opposite to Tiruchanoor Padmavathi temple, Sri Kalahashteeswara temple in Sri Kalahasti and Sri Manikanteswara Swamy Devasthanam(Shivalayam) in Kanipakam.
Where is Kapila Theertham and how to reach it?
Kapila Theertham is at the foot part of Tirumala hills. This temple lies at north east of Tirupati. It is located within a distance of one km from Alipiri(starting point of Tirumala foot way), 4 to 5 kms from Tirupati railway station and Bus station. Famous ISKCON Lotus temple of Lord Krishna is located from here within a distance of 0.5 km.
Pilgrims can find so many autos and town buses to reach Kapila Theertham. Kapila Theertham lies on the Tirumala bypass road from bus station.
Other temples in Kapila Theertham
Goddess Kamakshi(An avatar of goddess Parvathi, wife of Lord Shiva) temple lies here. Alwar temple, Lakshmi Narayana swamy temple,Veda Narayana swamy temple , Lord Ganesha, Kumara swamy, Daskshina Murthy temples are also located here.
Reason for the name of this temple …
The great Shiva Linga in Kapila Theertham was established and worshiped by a great saint whose name was Kapila Maharshi in ancient days. That’s why the Lord in this temple is called Kapileshwara swamy, and this place is called Kapila Theertham. This is the temple legend. However, This is not the original name of this shrine.
Actual name of Kapila Theertham was Alwar Theertham. From centuries, older generations called this sacred place as Alwar Theertham until 18th century. Reason for this is Alwar saints used to bath in this waterfall before going to the darshan of Sri Venkateswara in those days. People started to call this temple as Kapila Theertham from 1850 A.D only.
In ancient days, there was a footway from Kapila Theertham to Tirumala. In those days, pilgrims first took the bath in Kapila Theertham and then they started their journey on that footway to reach Tirumala.
History of Kapila Theertham temple
Kulothunga Chola inscriptions were the most ancient inscriptions among all the inscriptions found in this temple. Those inscriptions belonged to 10th century. Lord Kapileswara greatness was mentioned in those inscriptions.
Pallava kings, Vijayanagara kings, Tirumala Mahants and so many others developed this historically and sacred temple.
This temple is in under the maintenance of TTD, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
Maha Shivaratri is the most famous festival here. On that day, thousands of locals gather here and worship the Lord Kapileshwara.