Shri Kapileshwar Temple
ಶ್ರೀ ಕಪಿಲೇಶ್ವರ ದೇವಾಲಯ
Lord Shiva (Kapileswara) · Belagavi, Karnataka
Ancient
About the temple
Revered as the "Dakshina Kashi" (Kashi of the South); traditional belief holds that the pilgrimage to the Twelve Jyotirlingas is incomplete without visiting Kapileshwar. Traditional belief: Purification of sins, attainment of peace of mind, relief from untimely demise (Apmrityu), and spiritual liberation.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 05:30 – 21:00
- Established
- 12
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
Deity
Lord Shiva (Kapileswara) · కపిలేశ్వర స్వామిAmmanavaru (Parvati)Ganesha Family
- Deity form
- Swayambhu Shiva Lingam in polished black stone
- Religious tradition
- Agamic Shaiva Tradition
- Sanskrit name
- श्री कपिलेश्वर मन्दिरम्
- Also known as
- Dakshina Kashi of Belagavi, Kapileshwara Gudi, Belgaum Kashi
Darshan hours
- Monday
- 05:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 05:30 AM - 09:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 05:30 AM - 09:00 PM
- Thursday
- 05:30 AM - 09:00 PM
- Friday
- 05:30 AM - 09:00 PM
- Saturday
- 05:30 AM - 09:00 PM
- Sunday
- 05:30 AM - 09:00 PM
- Break timings
- 12:30 PM - 04:30 PM
- Special days
- Maha Shivaratri, Kartika Somavarams: 04:00 AM - 11:30 PM
- Festival timings
- Open overnight on Maha Shivaratri
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 06:00 AM
- Midday aarti
- 12:00 PM
- Evening aarti
- 07:00 PM
- Night aarti
- 08:45 PM
- Special aarti days
- Mondays, Pradosham, Masa Shivaratri
- Ritual schedule
- Kakad Aarti, Rudrabhisheka, Bilvarchana, Madhyahna Puja, Sandhya Aarti, Shej Aarti
- Pooja timings
- 06:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 05:00 PM - 08:30 PM
- Abhishek timings
- 06:00 AM - 08:30 AM (Daily Rudrabhishekam allowed for devotees)
- Special poojas
- Available
- Online pooja booking
- No
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Medieval
- Built by
- Rattas of Saundatti and local Shaiva merchants
- Architect / builder
- Traditional Kadamba-Chalukya stone guilds
- Construction materials
- Basalt stone, granite pillars, lime plaster
- Historical events
- Believed to have been consecrated by Sage Kapila; served as a central sacred site throughout Belagavi’s medieval history
- Renovations
- Renovated under Peshwa patronage and currently maintained by local Kapileshwar Trust
- Archaeological importance
- Centuries-old living heritage monument of Belagavi city
- Legends
- Traditional belief: Sage Kapila installed the Shiva Lingam here after severe penance
- Inscriptions
- Epigraphical records dating to the Ratta dynasty found in the temple precinct
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Other
- Architectural period
- 12th - 18th Century CE
- Structure
- Traditional urban temple with sacred water tank (Pushkarani), sanctum, sabha mandapa, and arched gateway
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Stepped Kadamba-style Vimana shikhara with golden kalasha
- Mandapa
- Open pillared sabhamandapa with stone pillars
- Sculptural features
- Ancient Swayambhu Shiva Lingam, beautifully carved stone Nandi, and secondary shrines
- Artistic elements
- Traditional floral relief work on stone lintels and brass kalyana mantapa
- Construction technique
- Interlocking stone masonry with reinforced modern roofing
- Unique features
- Believed to be the southern counterpart of Kashi Vishwanath with equal merit for darshan
Festivals & events
Maha ShivaratriShravana MasamKartika PurnimaGanesh Chaturthi
- Festival calendar
- Magha Bahula Chaturdashi (Maha Shivaratri)
- Special celebration days
- Every Monday, Pradosham, Masa Shivaratri
- Cultural events
- Bhajan recitals, Classical Shehnai and devotional concerts on Shivaratri
- Annual events
- Kapileshwar Jathara and Shivaratri Rathotsavam
- Peak crowd season
- July - August (Shravana) and February/March (Maha Shivaratri)
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
- Parking capacity
- 20-30 vehicles
- Parking fees
- Approx. 20-50 INR
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer
- Prasadam
- Laddu; Pulihora