The Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple is located in the town of Kanipakam in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, who is known as Varasiddhi Vinayaka.
According to legend, the temple was constructed by the Chola King Kulothunga Chola I in the 11th century. The story goes that once a group of three cowherds visited the king and presented him with a pot of milk. The king, who was known for his piety, accepted the offering and drank the milk. However, he was surprised to find that the pot continued to overflow with milk, even after he had drunk it.
The king was convinced that there was something divine about the milk, and he asked the cowherds to lead him to the source. They took him to a spot near Kanipakam where they had found the pot. When they dug the ground, they discovered an idol of Lord Ganesha, who was drinking the milk that was being offered to him by a cow.
The king was amazed by the discovery and decided to build a temple on the spot. He ordered the temple to be built with a gold roof, and the temple soon became one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in the region.
Today, the Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple is visited by thousands of devotees every year. The temple is known for its unique idol of Lord Ganesha, which is believed to have self-manifested. The idol is said to be made of a special stone called saligrama, which is believed to be very powerful. Devotees believe that by worshiping Lord Ganesha at this temple, they can overcome all obstacles and attain success in their endeavors.
Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple in Kanipakam can be reached by various modes of transport:
- By Air: The nearest airport is Tirupati Airport, which is about 75 km away from Kanipakam. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Kanipakam.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Chittoor Railway Station, which is about 27 km away from Kanipakam. From the railway station, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the temple.
- By Bus: Kanipakam is well connected by bus from various cities in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. You can take a direct bus to Kanipakam from Chennai, Bangalore, and Tirupati.
Once you reach Kanipakam, the temple is located in the heart of the town and can be easily accessed by foot, auto-rickshaw or taxi.
