Parshumeshwar Kapilatirtha/Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple Tirupati,Andhra Pradesh

Kapila Theertham is a small Saivite Temple and Theertham, located at Tirupati in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The idol is believed to be installed by Kapila Muni and hence Lord Siva here is referred to as Kapileswara.

The temple stands at the entrance to a mountain cave in one of the steep and vertical faces at the foot of the Tirumala hills which are part of Seshachalam Hills, where the waters of the mountain stream fall directly into Temple Pushkarini known as “Kapila Theertham“. A huge stone statue of a seated bull “Nandhi”, Shiva’s steed, greets devotees and passersby at the entrance to the temple.

Etymology

The Temple and Theertham had derived its name from Kapila Muni.

Legend

According to Temple Legend Kapila Muni had performed penance to Siva at this place and blissed with the Muni’s devotion, Siva and Parvathi presented themselves.The Lingam is believed to be self-manifested.Kapila muni is believed to emerged from the Bilam(Cavity) in the Pushkarini(Theertham) on to the earth.

History

The temple received very good patronage from the Kings of Vijayanagara in the 13th thru 16th centuries, especially Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya, and the eternally not so famous Sri Krishna Deva Raya, and some of the later rulers like Venkatapathi Raya, and Aliya Ramaraya, Sri Krishna Deva Raya’s Son-in-law.