I had visited Kanipakam with a group of friends during out visit to Tirumala for Sri Vari Seva. We had booked a van for all the trips during our week days stay at Tirumala. We were fully involved or so to say immersed in Srivari Seva for almost a week during the Hindu month of Dhanur masam. So, there was shortage of time for sight-seeing.
One of the senior members of the group gathered some info on Kanipakam temple. As per our plan, we reached the temple by 4.00 p.m for the nijaroopa darshanam. The senior group leader was proactively taking up the responsibility, got the tickets and we all were happily seated in front of the main idol of Lord Ganesha and had a wonderful nijaroopa darshanam.
Here, I would like to give some info on Kanipakam. It is a small temple town in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The village is located on the banks of River Bahuda. It s easily reachable from Tirumala-Tirupati. The temple remains open from 4.00 a.m to 9.30 p.m every day. This small temple town has a great historical background too.
The stone idol of Lord Ganesha is a swayambhu idol which was found in a pool of water in a well. The stone idol of the deity is retained in the same surroundings in a pool of water in a small well which is presently closed. The temple priests show and tell the devotees that "this is the well" and "here is the water". Saying so they will take the water in their hands to show the devotees.
There is an interesting thing about the deity. It is said that the stone idol keeps increasing in size. As per historical evidence, the temple was built by Chola King in the early 11th century A.D. There is also a story in connection with the idol.
After darshan we all did pradakshina 11 times, spent some time in the temple premises and had prasadam.
From here we made our way to one of the lesser known Hanuman temples located in a serene place on a hillock known as Ardhagiri also known as Arakonda. We had spent some time in relaxing at this place, recharged ourselves and got back to our accommodation at Tirumala.
One of the senior members of the group gathered some info on Kanipakam temple. As per our plan, we reached the temple by 4.00 p.m for the nijaroopa darshanam. The senior group leader was proactively taking up the responsibility, got the tickets and we all were happily seated in front of the main idol of Lord Ganesha and had a wonderful nijaroopa darshanam.
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| Courtesy: Google Images |
The stone idol of Lord Ganesha is a swayambhu idol which was found in a pool of water in a well. The stone idol of the deity is retained in the same surroundings in a pool of water in a small well which is presently closed. The temple priests show and tell the devotees that "this is the well" and "here is the water". Saying so they will take the water in their hands to show the devotees.
There is an interesting thing about the deity. It is said that the stone idol keeps increasing in size. As per historical evidence, the temple was built by Chola King in the early 11th century A.D. There is also a story in connection with the idol.
After darshan we all did pradakshina 11 times, spent some time in the temple premises and had prasadam.
From here we made our way to one of the lesser known Hanuman temples located in a serene place on a hillock known as Ardhagiri also known as Arakonda. We had spent some time in relaxing at this place, recharged ourselves and got back to our accommodation at Tirumala.
Other temples to visit around Kanipakam
- The world famous Tirumala Venkateswara Swamy Temple
- The famous Shiva temple at Sri Kaalahasti
- Ardhagiri Hanuman temple
- And attractions of Tirupati.