Lord Vinayaka - Kanipakam, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh

[Guest guest]

Presiding Deity:

Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swamy. Other deities are Sri Varadaraja Swamy, Sri

Manikanteswara Swamy, Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy and Navagrahas.

Location:

It is in Kanipaakam in Irala Mandal, Chittoor District. It is about 11kms from Chittoor town.

Major Festivals:

Brahmotsavam for 20 days from Bhadrapada Shuddha Chavithi

Timings:

6.00am to 2.00pm and 3.00pm to 9.30pm

Accommodation:

There is a choutlry in Kanipakam. One can stay in hotel in Chittoor

(http://www.aptemples.com/brief/swvinayaka.htm and

http://www.aptemples.com/mapshtm/chittoor.htm)

 

Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swamy vari Temple

(Kanipaakam)

 

Lord Sri Varasidhi Vinayaka, Kanipakkam

 

The famous temple of Sri Varasidhi Vinayaka of Kanipakkam is situated on

Chittoor - Aragoondu Road. Kanipakkam is closer to Karnataka and Tamilnadu

state borders. The word 'Kani' means 'wetland' and 'Parakam' means 'floor of

water into the wetland'. This name follows a legend that is connected to the

temple.

Once upon a time there lived three farmers with physical deformities. They were

dumb, deaf and blind by birth. They owned a piece of land. In olden days water

was drawn from the well by way of 'Piccota System'. As one of them used to

irrigate the field through the channels, the other two used to ply on the

Piccota. On one such operation they found that the water in the well got dried

up and they could no longer continue their job. One of them got into the well

and started digging it up. He was taken aback to see the iron implement hitting

a stone like formation. Later, he was shocked to see blood oozing out from it.

Within in a few seconds the entire water in the well, turned blood red in

colour. Thus, startled by this divine sight, all the three became normal

getting rid of their deformities. As soon as the villagers came to know about

this miracle, they thronged to the well and tried to deepen the well further.

But their attempt proved futile because the

'swayambhu' idol (the self-manifested) of Lord Vinayaka emerged from the

swirling waters. After this miracle, coconuts were offered and the theertham

from the coconuts covered the entire area. This led to the modification in the

usage of the word 'Kaniparakam' and was later pronounced as 'Kanipakkam'. Even

today the idol is in the original well and the springs of the well are

perennial and eternal. During the rainy season, the holy water from the well

overflows even today. Another striking and strange feature of the idol is that

it is still growing in size. At present, we can see the knees and the abdomen

of the idol. Smt. Lakshmamma, an ardent devotee had offered a 'Kavacham'

(Armour) to the Lord, fifty years ago but today it is out of size and doesn't

fit the idol. The holy water from the well is offered to the devotees as

theertham.

The legend behind Bahuda River

Long ago there lived two brothers Sankha and Likhita. They were on a pilgrimage

to Kanipakkam. As the journey was tiring, the younger brother Likhita felt

hungry. Disregarding the advice of the elder brother he plucked a mango from

the mango grove. Sankha felt bad and reported this to the ruler of that area

and pleaded for punishment for the sin committed during the pilgrimage. Thus

Likhita was punished severely being deprived of both arms. Later they took bath

in the river near Kanipakkam temple. Lo Behold! The chopped arms were restored

to Likhita as soon as he had a dip in the sacred waters of the river. These

incidents lead the ruler to rename the river as 'Bahuda' (Bahu means human

arm). Thus the river beside Kanipakkam temple is now known as 'Bahuda River'.

Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka as up-holder of 'Truth'

The swayambhu idol of Kanipakkam is the up-holder of truth. Day to day disputes

between people are resolved by taking a 'special oath'. The people in the

dispute take a holy dip in the temple tank and swear before the lord. It is

taken as gospel truth. There are instances when the person who committed that

sin voluntarily agrees as soon as he had the dip and much before entering the

temple itself. It seems the Lord lawns invisibly on the sinner and makes him

repent & feel guilty for his sinful deeds. Thus the glory of Sri Varasiddhi

Vinayaka spread far and wide and the honourable courts uphold the 'special

oath' in their judicial pronouncements.

Darshan Timings05.30 am to 07.00 am - Free Darshan 07.00 am to 07.30 am -

Nijaroopa Darshan 07.30 am to 08.00 am - Palabhishekam 08.00 am to 08.30 am -

Darshan on Tickets 08.30 am to 09.00 am - Nijaroopa Darshan 09.00 am to 10.00

am - Abhishekam - 1st Batch (No Darshan) 10.00 am to 10.30 am - Darshan on

Tickets 10.30 am to 11.00 am - Nijaroopa Darshan 11.00 am to 12 noon -

Abhishekam - 2nd Batch (No Darshan) 12 noon to 02.00 pm - Darshan on Tickets

2.00 pm to 3.00 pm - Temple Closed 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm - Darshan on Tickets

4.30 pm to 5.00 pm - Nijaroopa Darshan 5.00 pm to 5.15 pm - Pramanam (No

Darshan) 5.15 pm to 6.00 pm - Temple under cleaning (No darshan) 6.00 pm to

6.15 pm - Naivedyam (No Darshan) 6.15 pm to 7.00 pm - Darshan on Tickets 7.00

pm to 9.30 pm - Free Darshan

Accommodation

Devasthanam is having only 7 rooms nearer to the temple. These rooms are not

sufficient to the pilgrims and as soon as land acquisition is finalized, more

Choultries, will be constructed. There is a TTD Choultry adjacent to the

Devasthanam Choultry consisting of 15 rooms.

Main source of income

Main source of income to the temple is by Seva Tickets, Hundi collections, shop

rents and land revenue.

Administration

A joint commissioner of Endowments Department heads the Devasthanams

administration. There are 75 employees working in various wings of the

establishment of Devasthanam.

Important festivals

The following are the important annual festivals celebrated in the temple:v

Vinayaka Chavithiv Annual Brahmotsavam - The annual Brahmotsavam commences from

Ganesh Chaturthi. It goes on for 20 days with all traditional pomp and gaiety.

The utsavamurthi (Festive idol) is taken out in procession on all the days

colourfully decked on different vahanams (Carriages). The soulful participation

of the devotees is praise worthy. The float festival attracts pilgrims from all

over the country.v Ugadi (Telugu New Year Day)v January 1st (New Year)Details

of Daily Sevasv Paalabhishekam: Rs. 50 per ticket - 3 persons allowed. The

devotees should bring milk not less than 2 lts.v Special Abhishekam: Rs. 400: 2

persons allowed in the first

instance along with children and 3 persons will be allowed later. Devasthanam

will supply Pooja samagri. v Ordinary Abhishekam: Rs. 250: 2 persons allowed in

the first instance along with children and 3 persons will be allowed later.

Devasthanam will supply Pooja samagri.

Darshans & Poojas

v Special Entrance Darshan: Rs. 5/- per head. v Ordinary queue line: Rs. 1/- per

head.v Nijaroopa Darshan: Rs. 25/- per head and one laddu will be given free of

cost after Darshan. v Ganapathi Homam: Rs. 250: Pooja samagri will be supplied

by the Devasthanam. v Ganapathi Modaka Pooja: Rs. 300: Devasthanam will supply

Pooja samagri. v Ganapathi Sahasra Namarchana: Rs. 150: Devasthanam will supply

Pooja samagri.v Ganapathi Patra Pooja: Rs. 58: Devasthanam will supply Pooja

samagri.v Shodasa Ganapathi Pooja: Rs. 500: Devasthanam will supply Pooja

samagri.v Archana : Rs. 5/- per head.v Maasa Nitya Archana : Rs. 25/- per head.

v Moola Mantraarchana : Rs. 200/- per familyv Polangi Seva : Rs. 1000/- per

family.v Vahana Pooja : Rs. 50/- (Two wheelers), Rs. 75/- (Four wheelers)v Tala

Neelalu : Rs. 5/- per headv Pramanam : Rs. 516/- per each Pramanamv Sani Dosha

Nivarana Seva : Rs. 5/- per headv Navagraha Santhi : Rs. 50/- per head.v Anna

Prasana : Rs. 116/-. 2 laddus & 1 Brass dollar will be givenv

Namakaranam(Naming Ceremony) : Rs. 116/-. & 1 Brass dollar will be

givenSaswatha Poojasv Swaswatha Abhishekam: Rs. 2500/- (Once in a year on a

particular day. Date choosen by the devotee).v Saswatha Ganapathi Homam: Rs.

2500/- (Once in a year on a particular day. Date choosen by the devotee).v

Saswatha Nithya Pooja: Rs. 516/- (Once in a year on a particular day. Date

choosen by the devotee).v Saswatha Nithya Archana Pooja: Rs. 516/- (Once in a

year on a particular day. Date choosen by the devotee).

Annadanam

v Nitya Annadanam started from 1991 onwards. Daily afternoon 150 members are

provided free meals. There is a proposal to extend free meals to more people.v

For Nitya Annadanam Rs. 1116/- is the minimum and Rs. 10116/- is the maximum

amount. A special bond paper will be given for Rs. 5116/- & Rs. 10116/- and

special Pooja will be performed once in a year and prasadam will be sent to the

devotees by post i.e., vibhoodi.

Executive Officer

At present the post of Executive Officer is upgraded to the cadre of Joint

Commissioner, Endowments Department by the Government of AP in GO Ms No. 323,

Revenue(Endt) 1) Department, dt. 11.6.2002. Sri C Prem Kumar. BA BL, Executive

Officer and Joint Commissioner is looking after the administration of the

Devasthanam with effect from 1.7.2002 onwards.

Sub-Temples

v Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple.v Sri Varadaraja Swamy Templev Sri Manikanteswaraswamy temple.

The above three temples are very nearer to the main temple and there is a master

plan to get the three temples in one compound wall. Proposals submitted to the

Commissioner to accord sanction and orders are awaited.

How to reach

There are regular bus services operated by APSRTC between Tirupati-Kanipakam and

Chittoor-Kanipakam. There are taxis available from Tirupati from the stands

opposite to the bus stand. The nearest railway station is Tirupati. Temples in

and around Kanipakkam

Manikanteswara Temple

The temple of Sri Manikanteswara is very ancient. Archaeologists date this to

the times of Rajakulothunga Chola. The legend is that he built 108 temples by

ordain of Lord Shiva to relieve him from 'Brahma Hathya Pathakam' (The sin of

killing Lord Bramha). The temple is famous for its architecture. The exquisite

sculpture is an added attraction of the temple.

Sri Varadaraja Swami Temple

The temple of Sri Varadarajaswamy makes it a Hari Hara Kshetram. The width &

height of compound wall of this temple is amendable and it stands a landmark in

the surroundings. The other temples inside are that of Sri Anjaneya Swamy and

the Navagrahas.

Abhishekams and Sevas at Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple

Soulful prayers of ardent devotees are well received and performing Abhishekam

to the self-manifested idols fulfills all wishes. People affected by chronic

diseases and grahapeedas (Planetary disorders) offer special sevas to the

Swayambhu Vigraha (Idol) and are sure to get relieved from the respective

applications by His Grace.

Kanipakam Tour Daily

Every day AP Tourism bus starts from CRO/Tirumala by 8.00 a.m. and comes back to

CRO/Tirupati by 9.15 am and comes back to Tirupati by 5.30 pm.

Visiting Temples: Kapileswara Temple - Kapilatheertham, Regional Science Centre,

Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy temple, Srinivasamangapuram, Sri Varasiddi Vinayaka

Temple - Kanipakam, Sri Padmavathi temple - Tiruchanur, Sri Govindarajaswamy

temple, Tirupati by 5.30 pm Drop.

Tariff: From Tirumala: Adult Rs. 265/- & Child Rs. 215/- (5yrs to 12 yrs)

(Including lunch)From Tirupati: Adult Rs. 245/- & Child Rs. 200/- (5yrs to 12

yrs) (Including lunch)Including Chandragiri Sound & Light ShowFrom Tirumala:

Adult Rs. 300/- & Child Rs. 240/- (5yrs to 12 yrs) (Including lunch)From

Tirupati: Adult Rs. 275/- & Child Rs. 225/- (5yrs to 12 yrs) (Including lunch)

 

 

Tirupathi Tirupathi has one of the oldest and most renowned temples in the

country – the abode of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala. Millions of pilgrims

visit this famous temple round the year. Apart from various sacred shrines,

Tirupathi treasures nature in its waterfalls, rivers and archaeological

wonders. The magnificent range of hills covered with lush green forests

fascinates trekkers and the adventurous kind.

CONDUCTED TOURS.

1. Local Sight Seeing Tour (1 Day)Dep : 10 am Arr : 5.30 pmTariff : Adult : Rs.

150/- Child: Rs. 120/-

Places coveredSrikalahasti, Trichanur, Chadragiri fort(except Friday, Regional

Science Centre will be covered on Friday), Srinivasa Mangapuram, Kapila

Teertham, final drop at Govindaraja swamy Temple

2. Balaji Tour (Early Morning)Dep : 3.30 am Arr : 3.30 pmTariff : Adult : Rs.

425/- Child: Rs. 340/-Places coveredLord Venkateshwara Darshan and Local

Temples

3. Tirupathi-Kanchi Tour (1 Day)*Dep : 3.30 pm Arr : 8.30 pmTariff : Adult : Rs.

250/- Child: Rs. 200/-Places coveredTirupathi, Vishnu Kanchi, Siva Kanchi,

Kamakshi Temple, Shopping 1 hour

4. Chennai-Tirumala Tour (2 Days)Dep : 9.00 pm from Chennai Arr : 5.00 pm on

second at ChennaiTariff : Adult : Rs. 525/- Child: Rs. 420/-Places

coveredVenkateshwara Swamy Temple, Tiruchanur, Govindaraja Swamy Temple (free

breakfast, lunch and accommodation)

5. Bangalore-Tirumala Tour (2 days) Dep : 8.00 pm (Bangalore) Arr : 5.00 pm(next

day - Bangalore)Tariff : Adult : Rs. 575/- Child: Rs. 460/-Places

coveredVenkateshwara Swamy Temple, Tiruchanur, Govindaraja Swamy Temple (free

breakfast, lunch and accommodation)

6. Bangalore-Mantralayam Tour (2 days) Dep : 8.00 pm (Bangalore) Arr : 5.00

am(next day - Bangalore)Tariff : Adult : Rs. 650/- Child: Rs. 520/-Places

coveredBangalore, Matralayam, Bangalore

7. Jet Airlines Package Tour Dep : 2.30 pm Arr : 1.00 pm(2nd day)Tariff : Adult

: Rs. 1485/- (twin sharing), Rs. 1705 (single occupancy) Child: Rs. 1188/-Places

coveredPick-up from Renigunta Airport, Accommodation in a 3 Star Hotel, Lord

Balaji Darshan, Local Temples at Tirupathi, Sound & Light Show at Chandragiri

Fort, drop at Renigunta Airport by Hi-tech coach.

8. Kanipakam-Horsley Hills Tour (2 Days)Dep : 6.00 am Arr : 9.30 pmTariff :

Adult : Rs. 375/- Child: Rs. 300/-Places coveredKalyani Dam, Kanipakam, Horsley

Hills via Madanapalle (free lunch and accommodation)

CHARTER TOURS.

1. South India Tour (13 days)Places coveredTirupathi, South India, Tirupathi2.

Ooty Tour (3 Days)Places coveredBangalore, Mysore, Sri Rangapatnam

 

 

Tourist Information

Dept. of Tourism, Govt. of India

27630037

Andhra Pradesh Tourism

23453110

 

 

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