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Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple (Kapila Teertham)

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Temple Overview
Temple Overview: The Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple is the only major Shiva temple in Tirupati and sits at the foot of the holy Seshachalam Hills....

Temple Overview: The Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple is the only major Shiva temple in Tirupati and sits at the foot of the holy Seshachalam Hills. It is a unique cave-shrine where a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Shiva Lingam is worshipped. The temple is most famous for the Kapila Teertham, a magnificent waterfall that drops from the mountain into a sacred lake (Pushkarini). It serves as the spiritual entrance to the hills; tradition dictates bathing here before beginning your journey to Tirumala.
History & Legend: 
According to the Padma Purana, Sage Kapila Maharshi performed intense penance in a cave at this spot. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared and blessed him. The sage is said to have emerged from the earth through a Bilam (cavity) located in the temple pond. Historically, the temple dates back over 1,000 years, featuring Chola Dynasty inscriptions (10th century) and expansions by King Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Temple Timings

Morning Darshan: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Evening Darshan: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

  • Special Abhishekam at 5:30 AM
  • Maha Aarti at 7:30 PM
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"Current waiting time for Free Darshan is approximately 7 hours. Weather is pleasant. Special Entry Darshan is moving smoothly."

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Essential Visitor Information
Temple Timings(Daily)
  • Temple Opening: 05:00 AM.
  • Sarva Darshan (Free): 07:30 AM – 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM – 04:00 PM, and 05:30 PM – 08:00 PM.
  • Monday Special: Open until 09:00 PM due to extra rituals.
  • Temple Breaks: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM and 04:00 PM – 05:30 PM
Detailed Darshanam Types & Bookings
  • Sarva Darshan (Free): Walk-in entry. The queue usually takes 15–30 minutes on weekdays.
  • Special Entrance (₹5): A nominal ticket for faster entry, available at the counter near the main gate.
  • Holy Dip: Taking a bath in the Kapila Teertham waterfall and pond is free and open to all pilgrims during temple hours.
Sevas & Rituals: Timings & How To Book
  • Morning Sevas:
  • Suprabhatam (05:00 AM): The awakening ritual. Cost: ₹10.
  • Abhishekam (05:30 AM): The primary ritual where the Shiva Lingam is bathed. Cost: ₹200 for 2 persons.
  • Evening Sevas:
  • Abhishekam (04:00 PM): Afternoon bathing ritual. Cost: ₹200.
  • Sahasranama Archana (04:30 PM): ₹10.
  • Deeparadhana (06:00 PM): Grand lamp offering.
  • Ekanta Seva (Final Ritual):
  • Timing: 08:00 PM (Monday: 09:00 PM). This is the closing ritual where the Lord is put to rest. Cost: ₹10.
  • Public Participation: In the outer corridor, you can find several Shivalingams where you can personally perform water Abhishekam.
Festivals & Important Days 2026
  • Maha Shivaratri: February 15, 2026. (The year's biggest event; open 24/7).
  • Teppotsavam (Float Festival): February 10 to February 14, 2026. For five days before Shivaratri, the deities are taken on a beautifully lit float (Teppa) in the Kapila Teertham pond.
  • Karthika Purnima (Deepam): November 2026. A spectacular event where thousands of lamps are lit around the waterfall.
  • Annual Brahmotsavam: February 2026
Annaprasdham & Prasadham
  • Temple Laddu: Available at the TTD counter inside.
  • Pulihora & Vada: Fresh prasadams are sold at the temple counter.
Dress Code & Etiquette
  • Men: Dhoti or Kurta-Pyjama. (Shirt removal mandatory for Abhishekam).
  • Women: Saree or Chudidar with Dupatta.
  • Etiquette: Photography is permitted at the waterfall but strictly banned inside the main cave sanctum.
Location & Accessibility
  • Location: 3.5 km from Tirupati Bus Stand. The area is famously known as Nandi Circle, named after the massive, iconic Nandi statue outside the temple.
  • Transport: Reachable via free TTD buses or a Tirupati360 Cab.
  • Accessibility: There are approximately 30 steps from the pond area up to the main cave shrine.
Tirupati 360 Insider Tips
  • To experience the full spiritual power of this complex, ensure you visit all the internal sub-shrines:
  • Internal Temples: Visit the shrines of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy, Sri Anjaneya Swamy, Sri Venugopala Swamy, and Sri Nammalwar.
  • Teppotsavam View: If visiting in February, arrive by 5:30 PM to get a spot near the steps to watch the Float Festival.
  • Hassle-Free Return: We recommend having your Tirupati360 Cab wait for you, as finding local transport at the mountain base can be difficult during peak hours.
Nearby Attractions
  • Alipiri Footpath: Just 500 meters away.
  • ISKCON Temple: A 5-minute drive via Tirupati360 Cab
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