Sri Kanipaka
Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple Kanipakam
Sri Kanipaka Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple Kanipakam
The temple was constructed in the early 11th century by the Chola king
Kulothunga Chola I and was expanded further in 1336 by the Emperors of
Vijayanagara dynasty.
Sthala Purana (history of this place)
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 a few seconds the entire water in the well turned blood red in
colour. Thus, startled by this divine experience 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 ‘Kanipakam’. 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.
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 Tirtham (Holy water).
Legend
associated to the temple
Long ago there lived two brothers Sankha and Likhita. They were on a pilgrimage
to Kanipakam. 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 piligrimage.
Thus Likhita was punished severely being deprived of both arms. Later
they took bath in the river near Kanipakam 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 Kanipakam temple is now known as
Bahuda River.
Sri
Varasiddhi Vinayaka as up-holder of ‘Truth’
The swayambhu idol of Kanipakam is the up-holder of truth. Day to day disputes
between people are resolved by taking a special oath (Pramanam). The
people involved in the disputes i.e., both the parties take a holy dip in the
temple tank (Pushkarini) and swear before the lord. It is taken as gospel
truth. There are instances when the person who committed the sin
voluntarily agrees as soon as he had the dip and much before entering the
temple itself. It seems the lord dawns 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 upheld the
‘Special Oath’ in their judicial pronouncements.
The
villagers of Kanipakam believe that the disputes are settled without the
interference of the court, police and middlemen. It is all due to the purification
of the hearts of the rivals under his divine spell. The guilty accept their
guilt and pray to HIM for his forgiveness. Devotees who wish to give up bad
habits like smoking, drinking, etc take bath in the pushkarini and take are
oath in the temple at Kanipakam by contributing Rs. 516/-. The time of
the seva is between 5 pm to 5.15 pm everyday which is called Pramanam.
Distance: 67.2 Km from Tirupati
Bus Route: Regular Buses are available from Tirupati R.T.C Bus station.
