Kapileshwara Swamy Temple, Tirupati | Kapila Tirtham

Kapila Theertham is a famous Shiva Temple and also a sacred Theertham, which is situated at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, India. The statue is said to have been installed by Rishi Kapila Muni and hence Lord Siva in this temple came to be known as Kapileswara.

According to ancient Legend, Kapila Muni had once performed severe penance on Lord Siva at this place and pleased with Kapila’s devotion, a self -manifested Lingam was emerged at this place.

The temple was glorified by the Kings of Vijayanagara who ruled here between 13th and16th centuries, and among them, the great Kings Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya, Sri Krishna Deva Raya, were dedicated their entire attention on worshipping Lord Kapileswara. The present day temple administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams(TTD). Annual festivals are celebrated at this temple in a marvellous manner.

The temple celebrates all important festivals 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. It is a nine-day event where the processional deity of Lord Shiva and Parvathi are taken procession on different vahanams starting with Hamsa vahanam and ending with Trishula snanam (celestial bath to Siva Trident).

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.

Songs in praise of Lord Kapileswara are as follows:

OM NAMO BHAGAVATE KAPILA RUDRAYA!
RUDRAYA RUDRA DEVAYA RUDRA PURUSHAYA, RUDRA RAJAYA, RUDRA PARIMALAYA, RUDRA KAPILA MAHESHWARYAYA, RUDRA PARAMESWARYAYA! RUDRA KAPILA SWARNAYA, RUDRA RATNAYA, RUDRA HASTAYA, RUDRA KAPILA EASHWARAYA, RUDRA KAPILA ISHWARYAYA, RUDRA KAPILA SUGANTHAYA, RUDRA, RUDRA, SRI SHIVA KAPILA RUDRE NAMAHA.

I offer my humble salutations to My Lord Shiva Shivaya, who dwells on Mount Kailas, who is in the form of Kapileswara.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Shiva Shivaya who is the god of the Vedas, who is in the form of Kapileswara!

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord Shiva, Shivaya, who is very auspicious, who is in the form of Kapileswara.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who is our doctor, the great Vaidhyanatha, who is in the form of Kapileswara.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who would protect us from dangerous animals and species like scorpions, snakes, tigers, and from our enemies and dreaded diseases, who is in the form of Kapileswara.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord whose throat appears in blue colour due to the consumption of the terrible poison, “HALAHALA”, in order to protect the universe, who is in the form of Kapileswara.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who is the Lord of the universe, who has three eyes and who destroys Tripura, the three Asura cities.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who has golden arms, who is the leader of the ghosts, who is the Lord of the four directions, who is in the form of Kapileswara.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who rides on the divine bull, who has the power to pierce all things, who is the husband of Ma Uma Devi, who is in the form of Kapileswara.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who contains matted hair, who wears the sacred thread, who contains the Trishool, the Holy Trident on his hands, who is in the form of Kapileswara

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who protects the world and relieves his devotees from sorrows and miseries, who is in the form of Kapileswara.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who is the creator of riches and lover of those who are devoted to Him, who is in the form of Kapileswara.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who stands prominent, who is in the form of warrior who wanders day and night as a guardian god in order to protect us, who is in the form of Kapileswara.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who is in the form of Vishnu, Brahma and other deities.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who is loudly praised by the scriptures.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who was before all things and who is the first and foremost.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who is in in the form of the great waves and in the form of sky, fire, cloud and waters.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who is praised by the Vedic Mantras and who is praised in the Puranas and Upanishads.

I offer my humble salutations to my Lord who is the permanent source of happiness. Who is in the earth and in the heavens, and he is available everywhere and anywhere, and he is apart from our imagination.

“OM SHAMBO KAPILA SHIVAYA NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR