 Chitoor
district in Andhra
Pradesh is well known for it's holy places. Lord
Parameshwaran who lies in the state as Prasoonamba in Kaalahasthi is
in this district. Tiruthani,
the abode of Kumaraswami was a part of this district once and sree Varasidhi
Vinayakar, who as suyambu (one which has manifest itself) is in
Kanipakkam, which also belongs to this district. So one can say that
Chitoor is the family property of Lord
Eshwaran.
Kanipakka Nilam, 12 kms
from Chitoor, is on the banks of river Paheedha. This is a small village
and lies near both Tamilnadu and Karnataka.
There are bus facilities from Chitoor and when one travels from Tirupathi,
Chitoor is at 70 kms distance. This sthala which is being thronged by
the devotees was once called Kaniparagam.
Sthala puraana
Once
a dumb,
a deaf
and a blind
were working in the field. One day, two of them were working on the
well-sweep and the third was watering the field. After sometime, the
water dried up and so the three decided to dig a well.
They started digging
with the spade and while they were engaged in the job, suddenly blood
began gushing out. Body organs of the three disappeared one by one. The
people around started to remove the sand with their hands. An idol of
the Lord appeared from beneath and people shocked by this sight, began
to dig further. They were not able to find the Lord's feet how much ever
they tried. In a state of helplessness, they prayed to the Lord to
appear as suyambu by breaking innumerable Coconuts and performing
aarathis. The Coconut
water flowed in to the land (Kaani nilam) and so it was called as 'Kanipakkam.'
 In this Vinayakar
temple, one can see the old manuscripts of the third Kulothunga
Chozhar's and Nedumara varma Sundara Pandiyan's time.
Even today there is
plenty of water in the temple and during rainy season the water level
rises up. It is said that the scar made by the spade while digging, is
still seen at the nape of the Lord. The Lord can be seen only till his
knee here.
People of Arakonda
Kollampalli and Pejavada Sithayyar's wife Lakshmi
ammal had donated a 'Kavasam' in silver
50 years back. But now it doesn't fit the lord as he has grown in 'Thilanasika
pramanam (like seasame
plants - in width). The water in the well-sweep in which the lord lies
in state is always found at the same level. This water is given as 'theertham'
(holy water) to the devotees in this temple.
Sanga - Vikithar -
Paheedha
Once there were two
brothers by name Sangar and Vikithar. They had heard about the
Kaniyambakka swamy and decided to visit the sthala. On the way, the
younger one was feeling hungry and asked the elder whether he could eat
the Mango
from nearby tree to
appease his hunger. But the elder brother told him that it was a crime
to eat a Mango
which belonged to some one else. But Vikithar turned a deaf ear to his
advice and ate the Mango.
 Seeing this unjust act
of Vikithar, Sangavan took him to the king and reported the crime. The King
as a punishment ordered his hands to be cut. Sangavan was shocked at
this unexpected turn of events and full of remorse started towards
Kaniyambakkam. He bathed in the river Paheedha with his brother and to
his pleasant surprise, saw his brother emerge from the river with hands
intact. Realising the grace of god, the brothers worshipped Lord
Vinayakar and spread his glory among the people. Since the river
gave the hands, that were amputated by the king, it was called as
Paheedha.
Generations of 'Saththiyavakku'
It is said that the
promises made in front of the Lord have relieved one of errors and
protected in times of troubles. It is a tradition that people living in
this place follow only truth. They believe that one who lies will be
punished by the Lord.
Twenty days starting
from Vinayaka Chathurthi, are celebrated in a grand manner here. During
the Bhramotsavam
time, the utasava murthies are brought in procession. The devotees visit
this sthala in large numbers for Bhramotsavam,
especially during Seshavahanam, Ratha
utsavam, Poopallakku and Theppa
utsavam.
To
the North-west of this Vinayaka temple lies the Manikandeshwarar temple,
an ancient temple. History states that this temple was built by
Kulothunga Chozhan. Once when the Chozhan was afflicted with blood
related disease, the Lord appeared in his dream to say that he would be
cured of his ailment if he built 108 Sivalayas. Since these temples were
built in a hurry, there are no Dwajastjambams (temple flag mast).
Good health and
prosperity are bestowed upon the devotees who visit this sthala and
worship the Lord at Kaniyampakkam Vinayakar temple.
KT Sri
translated by Radha N
|
Sree Kanipakka Ganapathy temple
