Kapila Theertham: Enjoy the Natural Bliss

KAPILA TEERTHAM
Location : Tirupati in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh
Presiding Deity : Lord Shiva As Kapileswara Swamy
Sacred Theertha : One Of The 108 Sacred Teerthas (Springs) flowing on Tirumala Hills.

Waterfalls at Kapila Theertham

The Holy Temple of Kapila Theertham is the only temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the holy temple cities of Tirupati and Tirumala that abound with temples of the Vaishnavait Deity Vishnu.

This huge temple stands at the entrance to a mountain cave in one of the steep and vertical faces at the foot of the amazing hills of Tirumala, where the waters of the mountain stream falls as a huge waterfall.

Lay out map of Kapila Theertham

One of the holiest of Hindu saints, Saint Kapila Maharshi, was said to have lived here, worshipped, and meditated in this very cave before the idol of Lord Shiva and hence the name "Kapila theertham", the word "theertham" meaning a holy lake or holy pond that formed due to the waterfalls.

Kapila Maharshi was a Vedic sage and an incarnation of Supreme Godhead Vishnu, credited as one of the founders of the Samkhya school of philosophy. He is prominent in the Bhagavata Purana, which features a theistic version of his Samkhya philosophy. Traditional Hindu sources describe him as a descendant of Manu, a grandson of Brahma. The Bhagavad Gita depicts Kapila as a yogi hermit with highly developed siddhis, or spiritual powers.

Natural Rock Cave Shelter's are present at Kapila Theertham on the either sides of the waterfalls and also beside the temple of Kapileswara Swamy. This particular place has enormous energy and positive vibration's. One with a spiritual mind can feel the bliss at Kapila Theertham.

This place may be a possible site of Jain Vestige's around 300 BCE (some relief's of Jain Tirthankara's are excavated in the foot hills and nearby viscinity of Tirupathi). Later it flourished as an important Hindu Shrine under the rule of Vijayanagara Empire.

Though this temple's significance has diminished due to the hugely popular neighboring Temples in Tirumala and Tiruchanoor, it received very good patronage from the Kings of Vijayanagara in the 13th thru 16th centuries, especially Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya, and the eternally 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.

Kapila Theertham is an important Shrine to visit during the trip of Tirupathi

Movva : Sri Krishna Temple

Movva is a village and Mandal in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

This is the birthplace of the great lyricist "Kshetrayya" also known as "varadayya" who has written many songs on "lord Krishna".

 The above picture is the flooring of the temple embedded with Marbles (golis)

 Sri Movva Venugopala swamy temple

Movva is very famous for temple of Lord Krisha popularly referred as "Movva Gopaludu". 

 History of the temple and town in the premises of the temple

There is an old Sivalayam opposite to the  main temple. 

National flag Designer Sri Pingali Venkaiah was born in Muvva taluk (near Batlapenumarru)

Madhavadhara: A Buddhist Site Near Simhachalam

 Madhava swami temple, Madhavadhara, Visakhapatnam

This temple is adopted by Simhachalam Temple.
It is located on the south foot hill of Simhachalam.
The diety is Madhava Swamy and the water jet flow here is known as Madhavadhara,
from which the locality got its name.
Some people prefer to take a holy bath in holy dharas (Madhavadhara).

Buddhist settlements on Simhachalam hill-range has come to light during a recent renovation and restoration works taken up by the Endowments Department. This site is presently Documented by the state Archaeology department and study of the site is in progress.

Coming to the point the sand blasting and restoration works on Chalukyan period Madhava Swamy Temple at Madhavadhara was completed recently, which not only exposed the intrinsic fine sculpting legacy of 14th Century A.D., but also some other interesting facts about the construction of the original temple on the base of Buddhist Vihara. The khondalite rocks(available on Eastern Ghats) are used for building the temple along with the Buddhist bricks from the vihara. These two (stones and bricks) possess the same color in general.

 The rock and Brick alignments at Madhavadhara.
 Bricks estimated to be from 3rd Century B.C. are now lying in a heap alongside the temple towards south

These bricks measured 52 cm X 28 cm X 8 cm, with structural characteristics of the bricks used in Buddhist sites in and around Visakhapatnam coastal region. A researcher in Buddhist sites of north Andhra Pradesh, he said there were foundation walls of a Buddhist vihara in the close vicinity.

 Bricks estimated to be from 3rd Century B.C. are now lying in a heap alongside the temple, as the mast is being rebuilt with cement concrete. These Brick remnants are found scaterred from the first tier to the foot tier of the present temples at Madhavadhara.

The possible Buddhist site would have been a  4 -Tier semi terraced Buddhist Monastery  as Remnants of chamber for monks to stay was found between the Mallikarjuna Swamy and Madhava Swamy temples that even today remain unexposed to the world due to several reasons like paucity of manpower and lack of will power among local administrators to permit the work.

 The natural water from the hill to ground at Madhavadhara

One can enjoy the natural beauty of this ancient site and surroundings,

unfortunately the steps way towards Simhachalam is becoming a garbage day by day in the name of rituals

 

Temples from Madhavaswami Temple below.

Very frequent buses are available from all parts of Visakhapatnam. (Bus no: 48A) 

 REFERENCE: Article in THE HINDU about Buddhist Site Remains dated July 11, 2010 Vizag.

Panchadharla and Dhanadibbalu

1. Panchadharla Kshetram at Dharapalem

Sri Uma Dharmalingeswara Swamy, Dharapalem

Rambilli Taluk, Visakha District Andhra Pradesh

This village ( Dharapalem) is situated at a distance of about 10 kms. North East of Yelamanchili and 24 kms. From Anakapalli & 30 Kms from Vizag Steel Plant(via Atchutapuram). It is located on the Atchutapurm-Yelamanchili Road. We need to get down at Dharapalem village and walk towards the hill to reach the temple.

This place derived its name from the five Jets of water coming out of five fountains which receive their supplies from a natural perennial spring. Near by there is lingam on which are carved other lingams in 12 rows of 85 each and which is consequently known as the Kotilingam or Crore of lingams. Many people take a holy dip in the koneru of the panchadarla and worship Dharmalingeswara swamy.

The temple has a history of nearly 600 years, the stone carved mandapas on the 3 sides of the temple would remind us of architecture of kakatiya dynasty. The stone used for the construction of the temple may be from the beside hills along the Eastern ghats. The pillars on the temple are carved with beautiful images of Hindu Gods.

The main temple of Sri Dharmalingeswara Swamy at Panchadharla

The entrance of main temple

There are several inscriptions on the pillars of the Mandapam in the temple and two of them dated in AD 1407 and 1428 contain a genealogy of chiefs who claimed Eastern Chalukya ancestry and bore the Eastern Chalukya titles of Sarvalokasraya and Vishnu Vardana.

This temple is presently maintained under the endowments Department of Andhra Pradesh Government.

====================================================

2. Dhana Dibbalu & Pandavula Guha, Kotturu

(Buddhist Remains site)

Rambilli taluk, Visakha District of Andhra Pradesh

This is an ancient Buddhist remain site with a Maha Stupa and Remains of Vihara's along with a small portion of rock cut cave used by Buddhist monks.(1ST century BC to 2ND century AD) on the hill entrance to the Gokivadu forest area. It lies along the Left banks of river Sarada.

This place is locally known as "Dhanadibbalu"

Still excavations are to be done by the archeology department at this site to excavate the viharas and minor edicts. Small rock cisterns are present very near to the Maha stupa, which is at the entrance of the hillock and at a further distance one can see the ruined mounds of Vihara with scaterred bricks. From there we can reach the rock-cut caves with small (nearly 5) portions (locally known as pandavula guha, due to the resemblance with the number of accommodation in the cave)

Many of the bricks of the stupa and vihara are presently used by the locals(ignorant about the importance of this heritage site and lack of Vigilance).

There is a fencing around the remains site presently and a garden is being maintained by the archeology dept. with a sign board.

Malluru: Abode of Ugra Narasimha

Sri Ugra Narasimha Swamy Temple: Malluru

Mangapeta Taluk, Warangal Dist. Andhra Pradesh

Malluru famous for Sri Ugra Narasimha Swamy temple, is located app 90 Km from Bhadrachalam(famous Sri Rama Shrine in south India) and app 130KM from Warangal City.

This temple has many specialities, the height of mollaviraat Sri Narasimha Swamy is upto 10 feet. It is located in the midst of forest. The Belly part of Moolavirat idol is soft as human skin.

The dwjasthambha here at the temple is nearly 60 feet in height.

Malluru is a calm and serene place with natural beauty around the hills.

Route Map Details of Malluru Divya Kshetram (click on the image for larger view)

The temple has been renovated during Godavari pushkarams 2003. The temple is located 4km from into the forest from the village Mangapet, which is on the Eturunagaram-Bhadrachalam Highway.

There is a rock cut Ugra Anjaneya Swamy Statue near to the temple. There is a photo of it below in this post. It is the first of its kind known in South India. There is a continuous water flow near the temple, where its from the top of the hills. Natural and also rock cut caves are present on the hill of Hemachalam.


                             Road to Manuguru from Bhadrachalam (Eturunagaram Highway)

There will be an annual proceeding here in the month of apr-may every year. Many people visit this temple from the surroundings during oct-jun. There are APSRTC buses from Bhadrachalam to Hanumakonda (via eturunagaram, manuguru), which have a halt at mangapeta on the road. Own Transport or Autos can be preferred from mangapeta to the temple.

The last photo is my trip to Malluru in 2004 with my friends.

It takes a day for the visit of Malluru. You can have a nice time!

Thank you :)

Gudilova: Edging the Eastern Ghats

Gudilova Temples:

Anandapuram mandal, Visakhapatnam (Vizag) ,

Visakhapatnam district, AP , INDIA.

Gudilova is famous for the temple of Lord shiva and Lord Ranganatha swamy located on a small hillock between two big hills in outskirts of Visakha city along the eastern Ghats, it is a natural picnic spot also. Located on the state highway of Pendurthi and 7km from Anandapuram of Visakhapatnam.

This temple is renovated recently and it may date back long ago hundreds of years. The water flow here at the temple is pure from the heart of the surrounding hills. It is an amazing Scenic view from the temple towards the two hills acting as an entrance into the spot. Cool breeze makes us feel fresh on the hill top.

Recently a telugu film (titled "ready" by srinu Vaitla) Shooting has been held here at Gudilova.Many people come from the surrounding outskirts of Vizag to this place during oct-nov

times.Own transport facility would be preferred to reach Gudilova.

Im sure you will have a nice time at Gudilova.

Thank you :)