Kanipakam Sri Varasidi Vinayaka Swamy temple

Kanipakam Sri Varasidi Vinayaka Swamy temple |Kanipakam Sri Varasidi Vinayaka Swamy temple

Kanipakam is a village located in Irala mandal of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh.It is home to a popular Hindu temple of Lord Ganesha called as Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple.It 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. Local legends claim that the idol of Ganesha continuously grows in size. The size of the temple till 20 years back would not justify to say that this temple was patronaged by Chola and Vijayanagara kings. The temples of Cholas and Vijayanagaras are normally magnificent in size and grandeur. Most of the present structures are of recent origin and the present major developmental and construction activities of the temple are well supported by offerings given to the temple by the devotees.

Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple

Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple or Sri Varasidi Vinayaka Swamy temple ( శ్రీ వరసిది వినాయక స్వామి ) is a Hindu temple of Ganesha. It is located in Kanipakam in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, India.

The temple was constructed in the early 11th century CE by the Chola king Kulothunga Chola I and was expanded further in 1336 by the Emperors of Vijayanagara dynasty.


Kanipakam is a small village on the bank of Bahuda River.

Etymology: - "Kani" means wetland and "Pakam" means flow of water into wetland. According to the legend of the temple there were three brothers and each one had a handicap. Viz., Dumb, Deaf and Blind. They were earning out their livelihood by cultivating a small piece of land.

Kanipakam Sri Varasidi Vinayaka Swamy temple History

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.

Ultimately they offered many number of coconuts with all prayers- modesty kneeling before the new idol afford “MAGALHARATHI” etc. They declared the ideal of “SWAYAMBHU” and tendered number of coconuts. The coconuts water flowed into the channel to a distance of more than one and a quarter acres. The indication of this led to the modification in the usage of the Tamil word “KANIPARAKAM” and later pronounced as KANIPAKAM. Even today the idol is in the original well and the springs of the well are perennial and the 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 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 pilgrimage. 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 is 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 honorable courts uphold the 'special oath' in their judicial pronouncements.

Festivals at Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple

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

•Gramotsavam
•Hamsa Vahanam
•Peacock Vahanam
•Mooshika Vahanam
•Shasha Vahanam
•Vrishabha Vahanam
•Gaja Vahanam
•Rathotsavam(Chairot)
•Thiru Kalyanam
•Vadayathu Utsavam

Other temples near to Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple

Sri Manikanteswara Samy Devasthanam(Shivalayam)
Sri VaradaRajaSwamy Devasthanam

Ardhagiri Shree Veeranganeya Swamy Temple or Aragonda Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple

How to reach Kanipakam

Buses are run at frequent intervals around the clock from various parts of Andhra pradesh espacially from Chittor, tirupathi.

Nearest Railway station to reach Kanipakam by Train is Chittor.

Tags : Kanipakam temple information, Kanipakam Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple, Kanipakam Sri siddhi Vinayaka Temple, Kanipakam Sri VarasiddhiVinayaka Temple

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