Sunday, 29 July 2007

KAPILA TEERTHAM (TIRUPATI)





KAPILA TEERTHAM


Location : One And Half Miles From Tirupati, Chittoor District
Presiding Deity : Lord Shiva As Kapileswara
Sacred Theertha : One Of The 108 Sacred Teerthas (Springs) On Tirumala Hills.
Andhra Guide

One and half miles from Tirupati at the mountain foot of 'Sheshadri' hill there is a temple where Kapileswara abides in the form of Linga (Phallus) called "Kapila Teertham". The Shiva Lingam is made of brass in one of the shrines at Kapila Teertham.

According To The Inscriptions

ENTERENCE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxfrVebo9kQ



According to Puranas 'Kapilamuni' of 'Paataala' (under-world) originally worshipped the Linga at Kapila Theertham. Lord Shiva is said to have blessed Sage Kapila with a vision of himself and his consort etc. But for some cause the Kapila Lingam pierced up through the earth to its surface, 'Suras' (Devatas) started worshipping it. Even before the Linga forced itself up, the 'Kamadhenu' (celestial cow) made her way through a hole to the earth and took form here.

INSIDE TEPLE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4EsP2fXOb0

In front of Kapila Lingam lies a very sacred 'Sarovara' (lake), which is the 'Bilam' (cavity) through which 'Kapila Maharshi' came to earth. A spring falls on the temple. Both the temple and the waterfall are considered to be highly pious.

IN THE TEMPLE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyQBRpy6dQg


WATER FALLS

During 'Kartika' month on the occasion of its "mukkoti" on the 'Purnima' (full moon) day, all the teerthas situated in the three world's merge into this Kapila Teertham at noon for ten 'Ghatikas'. It is believed that persons bathing in it at that auspicious time will attain salvation from the cycle of birth and death ('Brahmaloka').



COMING OUT OF TEMPLE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07_IANYJkf0

IN THE GARDEN



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C67A0BAA5aM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ny1waYkizI



Sevas


S.No. Seva Price (Rs.)

1 Archana & Harathi 5.00
2 Abhisheka Darsanam 2.00
3 Sahasranama Archana 2.00
4 Nithyabhishekam - permanent 542.00
5 Nithyabhishekam - one year 42.00
6 Rudrabhishekam 50.00
7 Navagraha Abhishekam
& Archana (2 persons) 100.00
8 Archana Navagarahams 50.00
- for each graham 5.00
9 Sivaparvathula Kalyanam
(on every Mahasivarathri Day)
- for two persons (grihasthas) 250.00
10 Unjal Seva (every
Monday - for 5 persons) 116.00


The following festivals are conducted at the temple.

Vinayaka Utsavam
Annabhishekam
Karthika Deepam
Float Festival
Maha Sivarathri
Skanda Sashti
Arudra Darsanam Utsavam
Devi Navarathri Utsavam
Kamakshi Devi Chandana Alankaram

Devotees can perform Nithyabhishekam at the temple.

For more details contact at +91- 0877 - 30253

DETAILS

Pop: 190,000
Phone Code: 0877

Tirupati is 170km northwest of Chennai, in Andhra Pradesh near the Tamil Nadu border, at the bottom of the Tirumala Hill. In Tirupati there is the important Sri Govindaraja Swami Temple, Kothanda Rama Swami Temple and the famous Kapileswara Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Siva. In Tiruchanur, five km from Tirupati, is the Padmavathi Temple, dedicated to the consort of Lord Venkateswara (Balaji).

The temple of Sri Venkateswara or Tirupati Balaji is situated above the actual city of Tirupati in the hilltop town of Tirumala. There is a steep staircase up the hill to Tirumala, used by pilgrims wishing to show their devotion by making the climb; otherwise standard transportation is readily available.

INFORMATION

The AP State Tourist Office is located on Govindaraja Car Street, near the Bhima Deluxe Hotel.

There is also the AP Tourism Regional Office (23208), 139 TP Area, near III Choultry. There are tourist counters at the railway station and airport. They conduct a daily tour from 9 am to 4 pm for Rs 150.

The TTD Information Centre (222-2777) is at 1 New Choultry. TTD web site (http://www.tirumala.org).

Two helpful books that have good practical information about Tirupati and the local temples are the TKT History of Tirupati, by Viruraghava Charya, and the Tirupati Yatra Guide.
Heavy rains can be expected in October and November.

You can change money at

BANKS


INDIAN BANK (91-0877-2222199), 214 Gandhi Rd.

ICICI BANK ,TILAK ROAD

HDFC BANK ,VVMAHAL ROAD
BANK OF BARODA, "
BANK OF MAHARASTRA,"

SATE BANK OF INDIA ,KT ROAD

KARUR VYSYA BANK ,KADHI COLONY


ATM'S

SBI ,NEAR RAILWAY STATION
ICICI BANK,TILAK ROAD
ANDHRA BANK,STARTING OF VV MAHAL ROAD
HDFC ,VV MAHAL
SBI,VV MAHAL CORNER
ANDHRA BANK,KT ROAD
SBI,KADHI COLONY
KARUR VYSYA BANK,KTROAD
ICICI,BALAJY COLONY
ANDHRA BANK,BALAJY COLONY


The Head Post Office is on Gandhi Rd. Postal Code: 517501.

Foreigners’ Registration Office (20503), Intelligence, 499 Reddy ColONY.


APSRTC BUS ENQUIRY NUMBER--91-0877-2289901

railway station towards west from bus station for about two for longs on the way you find EAST POLICE STATION ,FOR ANY COMPLAINTS DAIL 1OO .

HOSPITALS

SVRRGH GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL ,ALIPIRI ROAD(91-0877-2286666)
SVIMS HOSPITAL(CORPORATE HOSPITAL) ,BESIDE SVRRGH GOVT HOSPITAL(91-0877-2287777)
RUSH HOSPITAL,TILAK ROAD NEARER TO HUTCH OFFICE
ASHALATHA NURSING HOME ,REDDY &REDDY COLONY
SWARNAMRUTHA HOPITALS ,OLD METERNITY HOSPITAL ROAD
SNEHA HOSPITAL,


OTHER PLACES


Govindaraja Temple

In this temple there are two main shrines. In the northern shrine is Sri Govindaraja, who is Lord Vishnu lying on Ananta. He is considered to be Lord Venkateswara’s brother. The other main shrine has Deities of Sri Parthasarathi (Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna), Rukmini and Satyabhama (Krishna’s wives).

Parts of the inner shrine date back to the 9th and 10th centuries. The original temple had Sri Parthasarathi on the main altar. Sri Ramanuja added the Sri Govindaraja Deity around 1130.

To your left, as you enter the first gopuram (gate) of the temple, is a temple dedicated to Lakshmi. She is seated on a lotus in her four-armed form, holding a lotus in each of her upper hands, while her other two hands are in poses of abhaya, fearlessness, and varada, benediction. Situated above the door of this temple there is a carving of Lakshmi holding a lotus in her hand.

Near the first gopuram there is a shrine dedicated to Vedanta Desika. There is also a memorial for three of the Alwar devotees—Tirumallisai Alwar, Namm Alwar, and Kurattalwar—near the Vahana-mandapa, and another nearby shrine is dedicated to Sri Ramanuja. On the left of the second entrance is a Kurma Deity, Lord Vishnu as a tortoise.

This is a big temple. It has a seven-storey gopuram, built in 1628. There are carvings depicting the pastimes of the Ramayana and Lord Krishna’s pastimes on the second gopuram. This temple is located just off the main road, near the Bhima Hotel and the Tirupati railway station. The temple tower is hard to miss, but the rest of the temple is set back from the road.


Sri Venkateswara Museum




There is a good museum right next to the Govindaraja temple. It has many sculptures, Deities of Krishna, and other interesting displays. There is also a photo exhibit of the important 108 Divya Desam Vishnu temples that were immortalized in songs by the Alwar devotees. Open 8 am to 8 pm.

Kothanda Rama Swami Temple

About two km from the Sri Govindaraja temple is the famous Kothanda Rama Swami Temple built in 1481. Sri Chaitanya had darshan of Lord Ramachandra Swami. The main festival of the year is in March-April, for Lord Rama’s appearance day.


ISKCON (Hare Krishna) Temple


The ISKCON temple (08574-20114), Vinayaka Nagar (Driver’s Quarters), is located at the foot of Tirumala Hill, on a piece of land given by the TTD. The Deities here are Radha-Govinda. The temple has a beautiful small garden. The temple is open 4.30 am to 1 pm and 4.30 to 8.30 pm. This temple is included in the daily bus tours of Tirupati.
There is a good guest house next to the temple that has very nice, clean rooms with hot water for Rs 150. It is best to book a room in advance. Prasada is usually available during main meal times. From downtown it costs about Rs 75 by auto-rickshaw to get to the ISKCON temple and back, with an hour waiting time.

Padmavathi Temple




In Tiruchanur, five km from Tirupati, is this large temple dedicated to goddess Padmavathi, the consort of Lord Venkateswara (Balaji). A visit to Tirupati is not considered complete without seeing Sri Padmavathi. Sri Padmavathi is seated in Padmasana, holding a lotus in both of her upper hands. Her lower hands are in poses of abhaya, fearlessness, and varada, benediction. Also in this temple are the Deities of Sri Krishna, Balarama, Sundararaja Swami, and Surya-narayana Swami. It is traditional to first worship Sri Krishna and then to take darshan of Sri Padmavathi.

Non-Hindus are technically not allowed in the temple. To enter you may be asked to sign a paper testifying to being a Hindu. There is a short wait to see the Deity, or for Rs 5 you can enter a special darshan line.

Once a year there is a large festival that celebrates the marriage of Lord Venkateswara to Padmavathi Devi. Padmavathi Devi arrives at Tirumala on the back of a splendid elephant decorated with tilaka of solid gold as Lord Sri Venkateswara comes out to meet her.

The main festival, Brahmotsavam, is in Nov/Dec. The ninth day of this festival is the appearance day of Sri Padmavathi. On this day Lord Sri Venkateswara presents his consort birthday gifts, which are brought from Tirumala on a magnificently decorated elephant, covered with jewels and pearls.


STORY INCLUDING TOTAL NUMBER OF TEERTHAS IN INDIA BASING GREAT EPIC "MAHABHARATHA"

http://www.telugubhakti.com/telugupages/Monthly/Mahabharat/content302.htm