Sri Kapoteswara Swamy Temple Chejarla Guntur â€“ Velpu.com

SRI KAPOTESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE

Chejarla, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India

God

Kapotheswara is the presiding deity of this temple, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The prime sanctum houses Lord Kapoteswara in the form of Shiva Linga. The barrel vaulted eka-tala vimanam is apsidal or gaja-prishta vimanam (shape of an elephant back) with apsidal sala shikara.

Interesting Facts

The main image of Kapoteswara Linga resembles the "Kalebara" of a great King Sibi Chakravarthy with the head cut off on the top of the Linga.
Two large vertical cavities can be clearly noticed on top of the Shiva Linga. One cavity completely absorbs the abhisheka theertham (holy water) and no one knows, where this water is going. You can observe the raw flesh smell coming out from this cavity.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit the temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (45°C during day and 35°C during night)Average - May (35°C during the day and 25°C during night)Lowest - December to February (26°C during day and 21°C during night)Monsoon season - August to October

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Piduguralla Bus Stand	35.2 KM	0866-2570005
Guntur Railway Station	73.3 KM	139
Vijayawada International Airport	139 KM	0866-2846729

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Guntur Railway Station	73.3 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Vijayawada International Airport	139 KM	0866-2846729

Architecture

This temple is facing East direction, the barrel vaulted eka-tala vimanam is apsidal or gaja-prishta vimanam (shape of an elephant back) with apsidal sala shikara. It is believed by scholars that the vimana was originally Buddhist Chaitya and was modified for purposes of Shiva worship.

Inscriptions : The Sanskrit language (grantha script) inscription of Mahendaravarma Pallava-I (600 - 620 A.D.), which is not cited frequently by scholars, is seen on the face of the slab fixed behind Nandi Mandapa in front of the prime sanctum. Though this inscription is fully disfigured, yet few portions could be readable and translated, Still the inscription continues to retain significant value since it stands as the evidence for Pallava rule in Guntur region which was later captured by Pulakesi-II (610 - 641 A.D.). The inscription is assigned to Mahendravarma Pallava-I of Pallava dynasty which is clearly ascribable by the salutation "Avani Bhajana", "Vegavati-sanatha" and "Mahendra Vikrama Varma". The inscription also documents the construction of this temple by appointing twelve Devakanmis (S.I.I. vol. VI no. 595). The initial construction of this temple by Mahendravarma Pallavan-I is evident from this inscription. But the brick structure of Mahendravarman was revamped later by the successive rulers. Hence it can be claimed that Mahendravarman, constructed brick structure, though he was concentrating in rock cut cave temples.

Inscription of Krishnaraya, dated Saka 1440 (current), Isvara, Jyestha ba. Friday, solar eclipse corresponding to 1517 A.D., June 19, on a slab near mandapa in the temple S.I.I. Volume XVI No. 60. (Telugu Inscriptions Vijayanagara dynasty) (A. R. No. 335 of 1915.) registers a gift of 12 puttis measured by the peddapatinagari-ambaram and 12 varahas, to Namassivaya, the Srikarana of god Kapotesvara by Saluva Timmarasa at the command of the king for the merit of his family. The Sanskrit verse with which the record begins, refers to Chemjerla as the sarvamanya-agrahara. Also records the remission of certain levies and specifies the quantities of rice, dhall, ghee, etc., for the daily use in the temple as well as the shares of the offerings to the various officials and temple servants including the Srikarana.

Religious Significance

Sthala Puranam : Sibi, Son of Mandhata and grandson of Yayati Maharaj who was ruling the kingdom of Kashmir had two brothers, Mehadambara and Jeemutavahana. Mehadambara took permission from his brother and reached the place Cherum Chorla as part of his pilgrimage where Rishis performing penance in the caves of a hill called Devarakonda. Mehadambara performed penance here along with the sages. After his demise, he was buried on the summit of the hill, as his body would not perish it assumed the form of Linga. Villagers saw this Lingakara and built a shrine called Linga Mehadambeswara. The news carried to the King of Kashmir by his escort. Jeemutavahana started to Cherum Chorla to bring his brother’s body back. On reaching this place, he too followed his brother’s footsteps and his body reached Kailash. The news carried by his escorts to the king Sibi. King Sibi reached this place and started performing Hundred Yajnas as this was so holy. By performing Hundred Yajnas one would reach the realm of Brahma. The three Gods Brahma, Vishnu, Siva. Vishnu decided to test Sibi’s devotion and descended to the Earth at a place called Rupanaguntla. Lord Siva transformed as a hunter, Brahma as an arrow and Vishnu as the pigeon. Lord Siva as a hunter trying to shoot the pigeon. The pigeon flew rapidly and found refuge in the hands of the king Sibi seeking his protection. At the same time, Sibi was performing his 100th Yajna. Hunter told Sibi that his profession is hunting who lives on the flesh of birds and animals. He requested Sibi to release the bird so that he can kill and eat it. Sibi replied that it is his Dharma to protect the one who approaches him. Sibi determined that it is his Dharma to protect the bird and to fulfil the hunter’s wish. Sibi placed the bird on one side of the balancing pan and tore portions of his body and placed it on the other side of the pan. The bird started weighing more to balance this Sibi started cutting large portions of his body and placed on the scale. The Gods were pleased with his devotion appeared before him in actual form and restored his life, yajna. Sibi desired the place of Kailasa for himself and also desired that all their bodies should be transformed into Lingas. Lord Siva granted Sibi’s wish and transformed them into Lingas.

History

This temple was built during 3rd and 4th centuries A.D. Vijayanagara Kings are contributed for this temple.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	06:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757