Kapilatheertham Temple Tirupati – Location, Travel Guide, Tips & Pilgrimage Significance

Location

City: Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Setting: At the foothills of Tirumala (Seshachalam Hills), beside a sacred waterfall that flows into a temple tank.
Managed by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

Deities

Main Deity: Lord Shiva, worshipped as Kapileswara Swamy.
Consort: Goddess Parvati, worshipped as Kamakshi Devi.
Installed by: Sage Kapila, who performed penance here and established the Shiva Lingam.

Subshrines

Vinayaka (Ganapathi) Shrine – for success and removal of obstacles.
Subramanya (Murugan) Shrine – honoring Lord Shiva’s son.
Navagraha Shrine – dedicated to the nine planetary deities.
Other Parivara Devatas – smaller shrines for guardian deities around the temple.

Temple Significance

Sacred Waterfall: The temple is unique as it is the only Shiva temple in Tirupati located beside a natural waterfall (Kapila Theertham). A dip in its waters is believed to wash away sins and cure ailments.
Legend: Lord Shiva appeared before Sage Kapila here, blessing him. Hence the temple and theertham are named after the sage.
Spiritual Importance: Considered one of the 108 sacred Shaiva temples in India.
Festivals:

History

Ancient Origins: Kapilatheertham is one of the oldest Shaivite temples in Tirupati, with references dating back to the 11th century.
Sacred Association: The temple has been revered for centuries as the only major Shiva shrine in Tirupati, complementing the Vaishnavite dominance of Tirumala.
TTD Management: Today, it is maintained by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), ensuring preservation of its rituals and festivals.

Legends

Sage Kapila’s Penance: The temple is named after Sage Kapila, who performed intense penance here. Lord Shiva appeared before him and blessed him, leading to the installation of the Shiva Lingam.
Sacred Waters: The waterfall beside the temple is believed to have originated from Sage Kapila’s tapas. A dip in the holy waters of Kapila Theertham is said to wash away sins and cure ailments.
Shaiva Significance: The temple is considered one of the 108 sacred Shaiva temples in India, making it a vital pilgrimage spot.

Architecture

Style: Built in Dravidian architectural style, with inscriptions in Telugu and Dravidian languages.
Sanctum: Houses Lord Shiva as Kapileswara Swamy, with Goddess Parvati as Kamakshi Devi.
Natural Integration: Unique for being located beside a natural waterfall that flows into a temple tank, blending nature with sacred space.

Rituals

Daily Pujas: Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kapileswara Swamy with abhishekam, archana, and nivedana.
Sacred Bathing: Devotees take a dip in the Kapila Theertham waterfall and temple tank, believed to purify sins.
Special Fridays: Abhishekam and alankarana are performed with great devotion.
Navagraha Worship: The subshrines for planetary deities are visited for relief from astrological doshas.

Festivals

Maha Shivaratri: The grandest festival here, with night‑long abhishekam, cultural programs, and thousands of devotees.
Karthika Masam: Lamps are lit throughout the temple premises; special pujas are performed.
Kapileswara Swamy Brahmotsavams: Annual festival organized by TTD, featuring processions and elaborate rituals.
Other Observances: Pradosham, Somvar pujas, and monthly Amavasya rituals are also significant.

Beliefs

Sage Kapila’s Tapasya: The waterfall is believed to have emerged from Sage Kapila’s meditation, making the waters sacred.
Purification: Bathing in Kapila Theertham is said to wash away sins and cure ailments.
Shaivite Sanctity: As the only major Shiva temple in Tirupati, it balances the Vaishnavite prominence of Tirumala, symbolizing harmony of traditions.

Temple Hours: 5:00 AM – 8:15 PM

Daily Pooja Schedule

Morning Rituals

05:00 AM – 05:30 AM: Suprabatham (awakening hymns for Lord Shiva)
05:30 AM – 06:30 AM: Abhishekam (ritual bathing of the deity)
06:30 AM – 07:30 AM: Alankarana (decoration), Siva Ashtotharam, Lalitha Ashtotharam, followed by Sarva Darshanam
07:30 AM – 08:00 AM: Suddhi – 1st Bell (temple purification ritual)
08:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Sarva Darshanam (general darshan for devotees)
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Suddhi – 2nd Bell
11:30 AM – 04:00 PM: Sarva Darshanam

Evening Rituals

04:00 PM – 04:30 PM: Abhishekam
04:30 PM – 05:30 PM: Alankarana, Siva Sahasranamam, Lalitha Sahasranamam, followed by Sarva Darshanam
05:30 PM – 06:00 PM: Suddhi – 3rd Bell
06:00 PM – 06:30 PM: Deeparadhana
06:30 PM – 08:00 PM: Sarva Darshanam
08:00 PM – 08:15 PM: Ekanta Seva

Getting Here

By Air

By Rail

By Road

Tirupati is well connected by APSRTC buses from Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Nellore, Kadapa.
The temple is located at the foothills of Tirumala (Seshachalam Hills), easily accessible by local transport.
Parking facilities are available near the temple.

Tips

Best Time: Early morning for peaceful darshan; evenings for the scenic waterfall view.
Special Days: Maha Shivaratri and Karthika Masam draw large crowds—plan for longer queues.

Sacred Bath: A dip in the Kapila Theertham waterfall/tank is believed to purify sins.
Shaivite Tradition: Visiting Kapilatheertham complements Tirumala darshan, symbolizing harmony of Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions.
Offerings: Devotees often bring flowers, bilva leaves, and lamps for puja.

Nearby Shrines: Combine your visit with Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple and Tiruchanoor Padmavathi Temple.
Accommodation: Best options are in Tirupati city; budget and luxury stays are available.
Food: Tirupati offers traditional Andhra meals; light food is recommended before darshan.
Photography: Respect temple rules—avoid photography inside sanctum areas.