This historic temple is in Kanipaakam in Irala Mandal, Chittoor District. It is about 11kms from Chittoor town.
Kanipakam is a small village on the bank of Bahuda River.
"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.
Ultimately they offered many number of coconuts with all prayers- modesty kneeling before the new idol afford “MAGALHARATHI” 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 Tamil 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.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Nagalapuram
Sri Veda Narayanaswami Temple is located in Nagalapuram, 70 km south-east of Tirupati.
It is believed that Lord Sri Maha Vishnu, in the form of Matsya, killed the rakshasa (demon) Somakudu here, and retrieved the Vedas from the latter.
The sanctum sanctorium houses an image of the Matsya form of Vishnu, with Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side. A peculiar feature of the idol is that it holds the Sudarsana Chakra in prayoga (ready for release).
The temple was constructed by Sri Krishnadeva Raya, the Vijayanagara emperor, and is a fine specimen of the Vijayanagara style of architecture.
The sub-temples within the main temple are:
• Sri Vedavalli Tayaru
• Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami temple
• Sri Veeranjaneya Swami temple
• Sri Bhakta Anjaneya Swami temple
• Sri Sita Lakshmana Sameta Ramulavari temple
It is believed that Lord Sri Maha Vishnu, in the form of Matsya, killed the rakshasa (demon) Somakudu here, and retrieved the Vedas from the latter.
The sanctum sanctorium houses an image of the Matsya form of Vishnu, with Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side. A peculiar feature of the idol is that it holds the Sudarsana Chakra in prayoga (ready for release).
The temple was constructed by Sri Krishnadeva Raya, the Vijayanagara emperor, and is a fine specimen of the Vijayanagara style of architecture.
The sub-temples within the main temple are:
• Sri Vedavalli Tayaru
• Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami temple
• Sri Veeranjaneya Swami temple
• Sri Bhakta Anjaneya Swami temple
• Sri Sita Lakshmana Sameta Ramulavari temple
Sri Kalahasti
Significance: This ancient temple dedicated to Shiva is one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalams (temples celebrating Shiva as the embodiment of the primary elements), air being the element in case here, the other five temples being Tiruvannamalai (Fire), Chidambaram (Space),Tiruvanaikkaval (Water) and Kanchipuram (Earth) respectively.
Kalahasti is located near the pilgrimage town of Tirupati and is visited by thousands of pilgrims. This temple is also associated with Rahu and Ketu, (of the nine grahams or celestial bodies in the Indian astrological scheme).
Kalahasti is located near the pilgrimage town of Tirupati and is visited by thousands of pilgrims. This temple is also associated with Rahu and Ketu, (of the nine grahams or celestial bodies in the Indian astrological scheme).
Chandragiri
Chandragiri is a small town near Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, south India. Recently it was included under Municipal Corporation limits of Tirupati. Major Colleges and institutions, National MST Radar Facility, Heritage Industries and some Resorts that cater to Tirupati bound piligrims are located in Chandragiri. It is also the southern entrance for the Temple city for vehicles going from Bangalore, Kerala and Tamil Nadu..
Chandragiri is famous for the historical fort, built in the 11th century, and the Raja Mahal within it, built by the rulers of the Vijayanagara empire. After their defeat at the hands of the sultans of the Deccan in 1565, the Aravidu Dynasty of Vijaynagar shifted their capital from Hampi to Chandragiri and ruled till mid 17th century. Koneti Naidu, ruler of Chandragiri belonging to Balija caste was the great-grandson of Kanaka Naidu , who was made the king of Penukonda by the Vijayanagar Raya.Koneti Naidu belonged to Vasarasi family and he ruled for about fourteen years.
The site of the fort is protected and developed as a tourist location by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. Tourist attractions at the fort include a sound and light show which recounts the history of the fort. This 'must see' Sound and Light show ( 0ne of the fews in India ) is performed every evening after sunset in the local language (Telugu) and English. Tourists can also enjoy boating in a lake right next to hill slopes and a stroll through mango tree-lined pathways. The beautiful Raja Mahal Palace is now an archeological museum and is a memorable window into the historical legend of Chandragiri.
Chandragiri is famous for the historical fort, built in the 11th century, and the Raja Mahal within it, built by the rulers of the Vijayanagara empire. After their defeat at the hands of the sultans of the Deccan in 1565, the Aravidu Dynasty of Vijaynagar shifted their capital from Hampi to Chandragiri and ruled till mid 17th century. Koneti Naidu, ruler of Chandragiri belonging to Balija caste was the great-grandson of Kanaka Naidu , who was made the king of Penukonda by the Vijayanagar Raya.Koneti Naidu belonged to Vasarasi family and he ruled for about fourteen years.
The site of the fort is protected and developed as a tourist location by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. Tourist attractions at the fort include a sound and light show which recounts the history of the fort. This 'must see' Sound and Light show ( 0ne of the fews in India ) is performed every evening after sunset in the local language (Telugu) and English. Tourists can also enjoy boating in a lake right next to hill slopes and a stroll through mango tree-lined pathways. The beautiful Raja Mahal Palace is now an archeological museum and is a memorable window into the historical legend of Chandragiri.
Tiruchanoor
Tiruchanoor, also known as Alamelumangapuram, is about 5 km from Tirupati. The temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi, the consort of Lord Sri Venkateswara is situated here. It is said that a visit to Tirumala is fruitful only after visiting the Sri Padmavathi Devi temple.
You may wonder why Sri Padmavathi Devi's temple is away from Lord Sri Venkateswara's. Legend has it that the Lord (Sri Maha Vishnu, who later took on the incarnation of Sri Venkateswara) showed his reverence towards the sage, Bhrigu Maharshi, even though the sage had insulted Vishnu by kicking Him on the chest.
In anger, Sri Maha Lakshmi (the Lord's consort) reached Patala Loka, where she heard a divine voice stating that a pushkarini was dug on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi, and here She immersed herself in penance for 12 years.
In the 13th year (during the month of Karteeka, on Panchami day in the last fortnight, highlighted by the nakshathram Uttarashadha), Sri Padmavathi emerged from a golden lotus. It is believed that Goddess MahaLakshmi herself emerged as Sri Padmavathi.
You may wonder why Sri Padmavathi Devi's temple is away from Lord Sri Venkateswara's. Legend has it that the Lord (Sri Maha Vishnu, who later took on the incarnation of Sri Venkateswara) showed his reverence towards the sage, Bhrigu Maharshi, even though the sage had insulted Vishnu by kicking Him on the chest.
In anger, Sri Maha Lakshmi (the Lord's consort) reached Patala Loka, where she heard a divine voice stating that a pushkarini was dug on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi, and here She immersed herself in penance for 12 years.
In the 13th year (during the month of Karteeka, on Panchami day in the last fortnight, highlighted by the nakshathram Uttarashadha), Sri Padmavathi emerged from a golden lotus. It is believed that Goddess MahaLakshmi herself emerged as Sri Padmavathi.
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