Lord Vinayaka - Kanipakam, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh

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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

ChavithiTimings: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 Timings

05.30 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:

Vinayaka Chavithi

 

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.

 

Ugadi (Telugu New Year Day)

 

January 1st (New Year)

 

Details of Daily Sevas

 

Paalabhishekam: Rs. 50 per ticket - 3 persons allowed. The devotees should bring

milk not less than 2 lts.

 

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.

 

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

 

Special Entrance Darshan: Rs. 5/- per head.

Ordinary queue line: Rs. 1/- per head.

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

after Darshan.

Ganapathi Homam: Rs. 250: Pooja samagri will be supplied by the Devasthanam.

Ganapathi Modaka Pooja: Rs. 300: Devasthanam will supply Pooja samagri.

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

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

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

Archana : Rs. 5/- per head.

Maasa Nitya Archana : Rs. 25/- per head.

Moola Mantraarchana : Rs. 200/- per family

Polangi Seva : Rs. 1000/- per family.

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

Tala Neelalu : Rs. 5/- per head

Pramanam : Rs. 516/- per each Pramanam

Sani Dosha Nivarana Seva : Rs. 5/- per head

Navagraha Santhi : Rs. 50/- per head.

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

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

Saswatha Poojas

Swaswatha Abhishekam: Rs. 2500/- (Once in a year on a particular day. Date

choosen by the devotee).

Saswatha Ganapathi Homam: Rs. 2500/- (Once in a year on a particular day. Date

choosen by the devotee).

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

choosen by the devotee).

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

Date choosen by the devotee).

 

Annadanam

 

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.

 

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

 

Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple.

Sri Varadaraja Swamy Temple

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 Show

From 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 pm

Tariff : Adult : Rs. 150/- Child: Rs. 120/-

 

Places covered

Srikalahasti, 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 pm

Tariff : Adult : Rs. 425/- Child: Rs. 340/-

 

Places covered

Lord Venkateshwara Darshan and Local Temples

 

3. Tirupathi-Kanchi Tour (1 Day)*

Dep : 3.30 pm Arr : 8.30 pm

Tariff : Adult : Rs. 250/- Child: Rs. 200/-

 

Places covered

Tirupathi, 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 Chennai

Tariff : Adult : Rs. 525/- Child: Rs. 420/-

 

Places covered

Venkateshwara 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 covered

Venkateshwara 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 covered

Bangalore, 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 covered

Pick-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 pm

Tariff : Adult : Rs. 375/- Child: Rs. 300/-

 

Places covered

Kalyani Dam, Kanipakam, Horsley Hills via Madanapalle (free lunch and

accommodation)

 

CHARTER TOURS.

 

1. South India Tour (13 days)

 

Places covered

Tirupathi, South India, Tirupathi

 

2. Ooty Tour (3 Days)

 

Places covered

Bangalore, Mysore, Sri Rangapatnam

 

Tourist Information

 

Dept. of Tourism,

Govt. of India

27630037

Andhra Pradesh Tourism

23453110