The Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, Chittoor

Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple or Sri Varasidhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. 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 and is located in Kanipakam in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.

According to a legend, the ‘swayambhu’ (self-manifested) idol of the temple was found in a well by three brothers who were digging up a dried up well. The brothers each had a deformity; one was deaf, another dumb, and the last one was blind.  While they were digging up the well, they suddenly saw blood coming out of earth and within a few moments the entire well was full was full of blood. And soon after the brother become normal and got rid of their deformities. Hearing of this divine miracle when the villagers went to the well, an idol of Lord Vinayaka emerged from the blood red waters of the well. Then the villagers offered a large number of coconuts to the deity and offered prayers before him. The waters of the coconuts started flowing in a channel from the well and created perennial springs, hence imparting the word ”KANIPAKAM” to the name of the temple. Even today the idol has been preserved in the well and is worshipped by a large number of devotees. The holy water from the well is offered to the devotees as theertham or prasadam.

A strange but interesting feature of the idol of Lord Vinayaka is that it has been growing in size ever since it was discovered. Around 50 years ago an ardent devotee of the temple had offered an armour to the Lord but today it is out of size and doesn’t fit the idol anymore.

The swayambhu idol of Kanipakam is widely known as the up-holder of truth. Disputes unresolved between people are resolved by taking a 'special oath' in front of the Lord. The people involved in the dispute take a holy dip in the water tank of the temple and swear before the Lord. There have been instances when the person who committed that sin voluntarily agrees as soon as he takes a dip in the waters or on entering the temple after the dip. It is believed by the devotees that Lord dawns invisibly on the sinner and makes him repent and feel guilty for his sinful deeds. Thus the glory of Sri Vinayaka is spread far and wide and the honorable courts uphold the 'special oath' in their judicial pronouncements.

For more information on various Ganesh Temples, visit Ishtadevata.