Popular Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple, Kanipakam, Andhra

Navrang India November 25, 2016
Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple, Kanipakam.GoTirupati


Just like Tamil Nadu, in the newly formed state of Andhra, there are countless temples of great antiquity dedicated to  Lords Vishnu and Shiva. There are  only a few temples  dedicated to other gods like Vinayaga. Worship of lord is associated with important events like Grahapravasam (moving into a newly built house for the first time), opening a  new business or company, etc. In Maharastra, Ganapathi puja is popular, so in many parts of south India. Even in hamlets or small villages  under the banyan tree  one will see a small temple dedicated to Vinayaka. Varasiddhi Vinayaka (Ganesa) temple at kanipakkam  is well known and lots of people visit this temple every day.


The Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple (Kanipakam Temple) dedicated to Lord Vinayaka in the town of Kanipakam, Andhra  is a rare historical temple because here the presiding deity is self-manifested (Swayambhu) - a feature rarely observed in numerous Ganesa temples. Yet another interesting feature about the idol  is it grows slowly. It has outgrown the Kavacha - armor on the idol donated by a devotee several decades ago. Earlier, only knee and abdomen were observable.


Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple, Kanipakamwww.google.co


Built in the 11th century by king Kulothunga Chola, this  temple saw additional development in  1336  during the Vijayanagara rule. Here the deity is placed in middle of a well where it was  actually found. The holy water from the well is offered to the devotees as theertham.



Legend has it  that once upon a time three physically handicapped farmers  were making a living by tilling the land with water available from their well. The brothers were deaf, dump and blind and obviously they were dependent on the income from the  land. One day they could not draw  the water  for cultivation purpose from the well, so one of them got into the well  and tried to deepen the well. when dug deeper, blood started oozing  from the bottom of the well and the well turned red. That time a miracle had happened and the three brothers were cured of their infirmities. Taken aback, the villagers suspected some divine power in the well, so, they dug the well further deeper and found Swayambhu idol   (self-manifested) of Lord Vinayaka in the well. 


Since then, the place had become popular as the people experienced some miracles in their lives after their visit to this place. Kulothunga Chola, on a visit here, came to know about the idol of lord Ganesa  and the miraculous events, taking place there and later had a temple built in the place where the idol was found..


 The annual festival (Brahmotsavam) is a 21 day festival that begins on  the Hindu festival of Vinayaka Chavithi (or Ganesh Chaturthi) in the months of August/September. One can see Nijaroopa darshanam (without armor and decoration) during early morning pooja.The temple is just half a kilometer from the Kanipakam bus stand. Temple timing: 4 am to 9.30 pm.