Kanipaka Shri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple
"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.
The Moola Vigraha of Ganesha is considered to be a
Swayambhu murti (self-originated or of divine origin and not man
made).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.
The Kanipaka Shri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple located at
Kanipakam in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. The Moola Vigraha of
Ganesha is considered to be a Swayambhu murti (self-originated or of
divine origin and not man made).
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
Thus the glory of Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka spread far and
wide and the honorable courts uphold the 'special oath' in their
judicial pronouncements.
