KAPILA THEERTHAM (HOLY WATERFALLS)
AT
CHITOOR
The Holy Shrine of Kapila Theertham is a unique temple because it is the only temple dedicated to God Shiva in an area of a 50-mile radius among the temple cities of Tirupati and Tirumala that have numerous temples dedicated for Vaishnavaite Deity, Lord Shri Vishnu.
The huge temple is located at the entrance to a large mountain cave in one of the vertical and steep faces at the edge of the enthralling hills of Tirumala. The temple stands at the foot where the pristine waters of Paapa Vinasanam, the mountain stream falls from the heights to form a huge waterfall.
The visitors are greeted by a huge stone statue of a Nandi, a seated bull at the entrance of the temple. Nandi is the steed of Lord Shiva. A legend associated with the temple is that one of the most revered of Hindu saints, Shri Kapila Maharshi, lived at this place, worshipped, and meditated in the cave in front of the idol of Lord Shiva and that is how the shrine got its name Kapila theertham. The theertham refers to the holy waters coming from waterfalls that formed the lake or pond.
Kapileshwara Linga temple is situated near holy waterfall of Kapila Theertham. The place also has a small Venkateswara idol that was established in fourth cave just above the waterfall. The temple is located within a distance of 1 kilometer from Alipiri (the starting point of Tirumala ghat route). It is at a distance of about 4 to 5 kilometers from the Tirupati railway station.
The most ancient inscriptions that are found in this temple are the Kulothunga Chola inscriptions. There are several other well-known inscriptions found in the temple. The Kulothunga Chola inscriptions belong to the 10th century. The inscriptions describe the greatness of Lord Kapileswara.
The sacred temple has a great historical association with it. It was developed by the Pallava rulers, Vijayanagara kings, Tirumala Mahants and several other rulers. The temple is maintained by the authorities of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, TTD currently.
The most celebrated occasion at the Kapileshwara Theertham is the festival of Maha Shivaratri. On that auspicious day, thousands of visitors as well as locals gather at the temple and worship Lord Kapileshwara.
Apart from being a holy destination, Kapila Theertham is also a beautiful and picturesque location that s filled with lush greenery and cascading waterfalls.
during karthika masam, on the full moon day afternoon, all the thirthams from the three worlds join in kapila thirtham. If one takes bath during this time, will get rid of all sins and go to Bramha's world. one will get the result of donating gold of the size of Meru mountain by just donating the gold of sesame seed size at this thirtham.
It gives chandra lokam by just donating land, imparting knowledge, giving a girl or doing mantra upadesam. The one who chants the mantra "Ayanthi sarva theerdhaani madhyahne kaapilam saraha" and takes bath in the afternoon of a full moon day during kaarthika masam will get the above result.
