This historic
temple is in Kanipaakam in Irala Mandal, Chittoor District. It is about
11 km from Chittoor town.
History
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 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 "MANGALAHARATHI" 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 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 and 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.
The swayambhu
idol of Kanipakam known as the up-holder of truth. Disputes are solved 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 and feel guilty for his
sinful deeds.
Brahmotsavam is
held in Kanipakam for Lord Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka every year. It starts from Vinayaka
chavithi and goes on for 20 days. The Utsavamurthi (Festive idol) is
taken out in procession into town different Vahanams.
Kaanipakam Temple
Publicity vehicle, Chittor district
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.
Below are the
Different Appearances of God. Dhwajarohanam, Gramotsavam, Hamsa Vahanam,
Peacock Vahanam, Mooshika Vahanam, Shasha Vahanam, Vrishabha Vahanam, Gaja
Vahanam, Rathotsavam(Chairot), Thiru Kalyanam and Vadayathu Utsavam.
Morning Abishekam
is performed on all the days of Bramhostavam.
Hamsa Vahanam,
around 6-7 P.M when Star Chitta enters Kanya lagnam.
The list of
Vahanams in the Order:
Special Utsavams,
Adhikara Nandi Vahanam, Ravana Bhramha, Yali Vahanam, Surya Prabha, Chandra
Prabha, Kamadhenu Vahanam, Poling Seva, Kalpvriksha Vahanam, Puspha Pallaki and
Vimanotsavam.
Taken from Wikipedia
