Sri Kapila Malleswara Swamy Temple is located Narsapur in
West Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh. The shrine is located near the
Vasista River (also known as the Vasista Godavari). The temple is dedicated to Lord
Shiva. It is believed that the shrine was established by Sage Kapila.
The temple is believed to have been constructed between 11th
and 12th century. The place is also known as Gopada Kshetra.
Apart from the Shivling in the sanctum sanctorum, the temple
also has murtis of Kanaka Durga Devi, Subrahmanya, Ganesha, Surya, Dattatreya
and Vaikunta Rama Swami.
A unique aspect of th temple is that the murti of Bhagvan
Sri Ram is without Mata Sita. Perhaps Sri Ram might have come here after Mata
Sita was kidnapped by demon king Ravana.
The ashram of Sage Kapila was located at the spot where the
current temple stands. The Shivling was established by the Sage. Once a cowherd noticed one of his cow shedding milk
involuntarily on a particular spot daily. On inquiry the cowherd discovered the
Shivling.
The cow that used to shed milk was brown in color. As brown is
known as Kapila in Sanskrit, hence the name Kapila Malleshwara Swamy for the
temple.