Palli Kondeswara Swamy Temple, Surutapalli, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, India

Palli Kondeswara Swamy Temple, Surutapalli, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, India

About

In all the temples we can see Lord Siva in form of Sivalinga. But in this temple we can see Lord Siva in sleeping posture on the lap of Sarvamangala Devi (Parvati Devi) Palli Kondeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Siva located in Surutapalli, a village in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh state close to the border of Tamil Nadu, India. Surutapalli is located 55 km away from Chennai on the Chennai Tirupati highway near Uthukottai.


How To Reach 

• Suruttapalli is about 70 kms from Tirupati in the Chennai route via Uthukottai, a town on the border between Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh. You have to get into the Tirupati first which can be reached either by Road, Rail or Air.

• From Tirupati you get APSRTC buses to Chennai running via Surutapalli.

Temple History

PALLI KONDESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE

THE ONLY PRADOSHA KSHETRAM IN ENTIRE INDIA.

Sri Palli kondeswara swamy temple at Surutapalli. Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh 3kms from Uttukottai, TamilNadu is the only place where the Lord Shiva is seen in the reclining position (sleeping position) also called as Neelakantha. It is here the Pradosha Kala pooja has began since ages. By performing this Pradosha Kaala pooja everyone will find complete solutions and get rid of poverty, ill health and will be bestowed with wealth and prosperity. This is one of the most auspicious pooja in the Hindu Dharma. Related to Shiva Skanda Puranam.

Pradosha is the worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati when both are in an extremely propitious mood. Prayers during this period will fulfill one's desires and bring happiness in life.

The Pradosha Kaala pooja is highly lauded by the scriptures and is very great sanctity and importance to the worshipers of Lord Shiva. The mere sight of the Deity in the temple during this period will destroy all the sins and bestow bountiful blessings and Grace upon the fortunate beholder. Even a single Bilva leaf (leaf taken from the stone wood apple tree) offered to the Lord at this unique, auspicious moment equals a hundred Mahapujas.

During the Pradosha Kaala a large number of devotees gather to light the lamps. It is said that even to light a single wick of a lamp at this period is considered highly meritorious and productive of untold benefits both materialistic and spiritually. Most fortunate and blessed is the person who performs the Pradosha Kaala pooja, Lord Shiva showers His choicest Grace and blessings on him in a very short period.

WHAT IS KARMA

Karma is not just a metaphysical philosophy, it is real. "Karma is ones own predisposition of your previous birth which influences in your present life'. It decides the way of your living in this present life, it influences your position name, fame. money etc. of the present life. Everyone has a choice to live his /her one's own karma of the previous birth or to create a new one. because they do not know how to remove their old karma and simply live their old karma until they live.lt is the thought process that creates Karma. It is also influenced by the planets. It is important to remain positive and nurture positive thought only. as negative thoughts and negative deeds will inflict danger to mankind in the present and the future life.

HOW CAN KARMA BE REMOVED?

The ultimate purpose of our human life is realization of God. It is told that this can be achieved only when the deeds of your old karma has been wiped clean, and when it is the right time the grace of God will flow on to you. When that begins to happen, an intense flow of both the material and spiritual worlds open to us. Now it is your choice on the abundance that is presented to you, whether you take the spiritual or the material route, one thing is certain, you have to completely eliminate your karma to even to get there. The Pradosha Kaala pooja gives a great opportunity to build a road to prosperity and true happiness.

WHAT IS PRADOSHAM?

Pradosha literally means the removal of sins. This is an auspicious time or a holy spiritual time: these times are the windows of opportunity to remove bad karma as karmic energies that limit our potential in this present life. It is the best time to pray and request Lord Shiva to eliminate our bad karma and fulfil our desires.

Pradosham is a very important day for the Hindus. It is the day for worshipping Lord Shiva. It comes twice a month. i.e.

15 moon days from New moon to Full moon 15 moon days from Full moon to New moon

The evening of Trayodasi , i.e. the 13th moon day between 4.30 p.m and 6.00 p.m. is Pradosha.

Whatever sins we have committed will be forgiven by the lord if we pray wholeheartedly.

We can pray to God by performing abhishekam. Milk gives long life. Ghee gives moksha. Sandal gives Lakshmi's grace and there are lot more.

By Chant Om Namah Shivaya and write 108 times you can get God's grace...

Pradosham timings are one and half hours hours before sunset and one hour after sunset, it is observed in the twilight period (sandhya kaala). Some perform abishekas for the Lingam. some people chant "Om Namah Shivaya". some chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times and the very pious also read the Siva Skanda Purana Story. But it is said. that just lighting a lamp and praying also pleases Lord Shiva.

Among the poojas performed by Shainavas to the Graceful Lord Shiva. During Shukla Paksha (15 moon days from new moon to full moon) and Krishna Paksha (15 moon days from full moon to new moon) the evening of the Trayodasi (thirteenth moon day) between 4.30 pm to 6.00 p.m. is called "Prodosham''. It comes once in fifteen moon days. Prodosha kaala is the time to pray Lord Shiva and invoke His Blessings. Praying during this time will free us from sins and gives Moksha (hence the name Prodosha)

.

Trayodasi is categorised according to the duration of its occurrence. Prodosham is categorized into three:

Uthama Prodhosham (Maximum power) — If the Trayodasi period is present from dawn to the next day dawn

Mathima Pradhosham (Normal power) — If the Trayodasi period is present from dusk to the next day dusk

Athama Pradhosham (Minimum power) — If the Trayodasi period comes after the sunset and goes before 4:30 pm the next day.

There are various abihishekams perfomed to Lord Shiva and each has the following effects which is considered fruitful

ABISHEKA NAME	ITS EFFECTS
PANCHAGAVYAM	Removes all sins of mankind
PANCHAMRUTHAM	Gives wealth
GHEE	Gives Moksha state
MILK	Gives long life
CURD	Gives Good Children
HONEY	Melodious voice
RICE POWDER	Frees from debts
LIME JUICE	Gives good health and removes enmity
SUGAR CANE JUICE	Removes fear of death
TENDER COCONUT JUICE	Gives enjoyment and full satisfaction in life
COOKED RICE (ANNAM)	Gives Majestic life
SANDAL PASTE	Gives Lakshmi's Grace
SUGAR	Removes enmity

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE

According to Sthalapurana (history of the place), it is said that Asuras (demons) and Devas (Gods) decided to consume the nectar from Ksheerabthi (the milk ocean) to live immortal. Hence, they churned the ocean with the help of Vasuki (the celestial snake) and the hill Mandhara, with Gods on one side and demons on the other. Unable to tolerate the pressure, Vasuki spilled out the poison from his mouth. The Gods and demons then approached Lord Shiva to save them from the harmful effects of poison as it would have killed the leaving creatures on the earth and also Gods and demons. Lord Shiva transformed himself into Vishabhakarana Moorthy and swallowed the poison. He then started feeling little giddy. As he laid down, his consort. Goddess Parvati placed Lord's head on Her lap and gently pressed His neck and thus the poison remained in His throat without affecting His body. Hence Lord Shiva got the name as Neelakantha.' (`Neela'- blue with poison and 'Kantha'- throat) (as Goddess Parvathi held the poison in the throat she is called as `Sarvamangalabigar.) It is in this place the Lord rested on the lap of Goddess Paravathi. During this time all the gods, maharishis and rishis assembled here for the well being of Lord Shiva and this place got its name as Suruttapalli. Surutta means assembly of Gods.

    The Devas and Asuras resumed their effort to get the nectar from the ocean on Lord Shiva's orders, after he regained consciousness and obtained the nectar on Dhwadashi (12th moon day). In that happiness, they forgot to thank Lord Siva who consumed the poison for everyone's well being. Realising their mistake, they prayed Him for forgiveness on Trayodasi (13th moon day) for which the Lord forgave them and in a happy mood, began His celestial dance (Shiva Tandavam) between the horns of Nandi (the mount of Lord Shiva) where all the Gods, Goddess and sages joined Him. This moment is celebrated as Pradosham every fortnight and hence Pradosha Pooja is said to have originated from this temple. It is believed that during Pradosha Punya Kaalam, anyone who offers prayers will attain shanti (peace), sakala sowbhagyam (Complete Happiness) and will be comforted from the obstacles of life. Even Lava and Kusha. who unknowingly fought with their father Lord Rama, over Aswamedha yagna horse, came to this temple along with Sage Valmiki. to worship Lord Siva and to get rid of their sins. Another prominence of Surutapalli is that most of the deities are present with their consorts in their respective temples.

ABOUT SURUTAPALLI

Surutapalli, a small village famous for Sri Palli Kondeshwara Swami (Lord Siva), temple is located in Chittoor Dist. of A.P., 53kms from Chennai and 3kms from Uttukottai. This temple is one of its kind where Lord Shiva is resting on the lap of Goddess Parvati. The temple was built during the Vijayanagaran Era by Kings Harihara and Bukkha. As you enter the temple through the entrance, you'll find the temple of Goddess Margathambigai (Goddess Parvati) on the left side and Sri Valmikeshwara (Sage Valmiki) on the right side of the entrance. It is said that one has to visit these two temples first before visiting the main temple.

The temple of Goddess Margathambigai has to be visited first, even before the shrine of Sri Valmikeshwara or the main temple. The garbha griha is guarded by Lord Kubera (God of wealth) with his consort Sanganidhi on left side and with his another consort Padumanidhi on the right side. The Goddess inside in the standing posture is seen with Kamadhenu on one side and Kalpaha Virksham on the other. There are some more Idols of Gods like Varasidhi Vinayaka (Lord Ganesha), Sri Venugopala Swami (Lord Krishna), Kasi Vishwanathan with Visalakshi and others present in the inner praharam (inner wall of the temple).

Next to the shrine of the Goddess. there are two other shrines of Sri Ramalingeshwara and Sri Valmikeswara, the main deity facing each other. It is said that Sage Valmiki performed penance before he started writing Ramayana and Lord Shiva appeared in the form of the Lingam and blessed the Sage and hence the Lingam is known as Sri Valmikeshwara Lingam. The Lingam is in triangular shape and there is a large Nandi outside the temple. Next to this temple is a slab of stone with many footprints on it. It is said that. in 1971. Kanchi Mahaperiyavar Sri Sri Chandrashekara Saraswathi swamyji (a sage), camped here for 40 days and asked some people to dig a particular place. On digging, they found a slab of stone with innumerable footprints on it. Mahaperiyavar disclosed that the footprint belongs to Lava and Khusha - the twin sons of Lord Rama. There is another idol of Lord Dakshinamoorthy (Lord Shiva) who is present as Dhambadya Dakshinamoorthy along with his consort Gown, in the outer walls of Sri Valmikeshwara shrine. The Lord is in a sitting posture with left leg slightly lifted and His left hand on His left knees in a stylish way. It is said that one who worships him on Thursday, are immensely blessed and will have a peaceful life.

The presiding deity is PaIli Kondeswara (Lord Shiva) with His consort and many other Gods. The Lord is in reclining position (about 6 feet long) with his head on the lap of Goddess Parvathi who resides as Sarva Mangalaambigai. The uniqueness of the temple lies in Lord Shiva seen in the human form unlike His usual Linga form. The Sun God and Moon God are present on the either side of Goddess Parvati. Many others including Lord Vishnu. Lord Brahma. Goddess Lakshmi, Sage Maarkandeyar, Sage Agasthair, Sage Valmiki, Indran, Sage Naradhar. Lord Subramaniyam with His consort and Lord Ganapati are also present in the temple. It appears as if the whole Kailasham (Lord . Shiva's aboard) assembled here to know the well-being of Lord Shiva after He consumed poison to save the universe.

Another prominence of Suruttapalli is that most of the deities are present with their consorts in their respective temples. Unlike the common practice of giving Vibhooti (holy ash) as Prasadam, as in the temples of Lord Shiva, holy water is given here.

Pallikondeswarar is worshipped by a celestial congregation consisting of Brighu. Brahma, Mahavishnu. Markandeya. Narada. Chandran, Surya, Kunera. Agasthya. and Vinayaka.

Till a few years back, this temple built by Vijayanagara emperor was in a dilapidated state but now it has been renovated beautifully. The paintings. floorings,Rajagopuram, Vimanams, front Nandhi making the temple look beautiful. Even the walls of the inner praharam have undergone modernization with tiles. The Nandi Idol has been beautifully painted and placed at an elevated height in the huge open space in the front of the temple welcoming the devotees.

Dhampathi Sametha Dhakshinamoorthi

After the darshan of Sri Valimikeshwara swamy you will have to visit the shrine of Dakshinamoorthi. It is customary to have Dakshinamurthy Idol facing south of the main sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shiva. Various forms of Dakshinamoorthi are present, like Gnana dakshinamoorthi, Yoga dakshinamoorthi, Veera dakshinamoorthi, Medha dakshinamoorthi etc. In Surutapalli the uniqueness is that the Lord Dhakshinamoorti is seen with his consent only one of its kind. It a visual pleasure to watch the idol. The Lord is sitting stylishly with his consent Gown i on his lap and held affectionately with his left arm and hence He is known as Dhampathi Sametha Dhakshinamoorthi. Offering prays to him gives prosperity, health, wealth, good education etc. it is also told that couples who pray for offspring are blessed with children.

 After the war with Ravana the Demon King, he was killed Lord Rama. All of us know that in the war between Lord Rama and the demon King Ravana, Rama killed Ravana and this mounted a curse on Lord Rama due to Brahmanahtaya. To get rid of this curse Lord Rama performed various yagnas, pujas and yet he was not satisfied and did not feel that he was rid of the curse. On the advice of his Guru Vashita he came to this place and placed a lingam in front of Valmikeshwara and performed prays and got rid of the curse. The idol place by Lord Rama is known as Sri Ramalingeshwara. You can see the idol of Sri Rama, Sita Lakshmana, Baratha and Shatarguna along with Hanuman in the temple opposite the Valmikeshawara.

The Pallikondeshwara Swamy temple can be reached by road from Chenai or Tirupathi on the Chenai-peripalayam- Uttukotai- Tirupathi route. It is just 3 KM away from Uttukottai.

Srivari Brahmotsavam, Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, India

Srivari Brahmotsavam

''Srivari Brahmotsavam'', the ''Brahmotsavam'' at Tirumala, is an annual lunar festival at the Lord Venkateswara Temple celebrated for nine days beginning near the end of September or in early October(during Navratri/Dussehra festival - beginning of Asvina Masa as per the Hindu Lunar Calendar). The celebration attracts pilgrims and tourists from all parts of India and across the world. A ''Brahmotsavam'' is a holy cleansing ceremony in honor of Brahma (Lord Brahma), and the one at Tirumala is by far the largest.

History

The Brahmotsavam festival is one of the most important and auspicious functions in Tirupati. Popular stories trace the origin of this celebration to [[Brahma]], the creator God, who first conducted this festival to Sri Balaji at Tirupati. Brahma worshiped Sri Balaji on the banks of the holy Pushkarini in Tirupati as a way to give thanks for the Lord’s protection of mankind. Hence, this utsava bears his name as “Brahmotsavam,” which means “Brahma’s Utsavam.” In Tirumala, Brahmotsavam is celebrated based on the Hindu calendar Hindu lunisolar calendar beginning near the end of September or in early October.

Celebration

• The Brahmotsava is performed over a nine-day period in the beginning of Asvina Masa as per the Hindu Lunar Calendar(during Navarathri/Dasara festival) or the Tamil month of Purattasi. On the evening before the start of the first day, the rite of “Ankurarpana” (sowing of the seeds to signify fertility, prosperity and abundance) is performed along with a festival for Sri Vishvaksena (the leader of Narayana’s retinue who removes obstacles and protects worship). On the first day, the main activity is the “Dhvajarohana,” the hoisting of the Garuda flag at the Dhvajastambham. This signifies the commencement of the Brahmotsava. It is believed that Garuda goes to Devalokam and invites the Devas to attend the function. During the days of the festival, the religious activities include daily homas and processions for the utsava murti on different vahanas (Temple car,chariots) that can be seen in the temple. Every evening, the utsava vigrahas are decorated with different alankarams. The concluding day is the Janma Nakshatra (birth star) of Sri Balaji, which is celebrated in a grand way with Avabhritha Utsava (special abhishekams for the utsava murti). In Tirupati, the Sudarsana Chakra is bathed in the Pushkarini and all the devotees bathe afterwards. In Aurora, a priest takes the Sudarsana Chakra on his head and takes a holy bath near the Dhvajastambham. Afterwards, the Chakra is placed on a high platform, so the devotees can walk under it and be blessed with the water dripping down from the Sudarsana. The celebration officially concludes with “Dhvajavarohanam,” the lowering of the Garuda flag. The priests pay respects to Gods and Sages with the chanting of Vedic mantras and see them off on their return to the Devaloka. 

• The Brahmotsavam celebration provides a unique opportunity for all devotees to participate in the festivities and utsavas and experience the “Vaikuntha Anubhava” (heavenly enjoyment and feeling) and receive the blessings of Sri Venkateswara Swami. Every year, millions of devotees witness the processions,celebrations during the  annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala. Every day of Brahmotsavam will be a feast for the eyes of the devotees who gather there. On the first day  the Garudadhwaja (flag with the emblem of a black garuda) is hoisted near the Srivari Alaya Dhwajasthambham. A festive procession of Lord Venkateswara on the Pedda Seshavahana proceeds around the four streets of the main temple for two hours until midnight.Ankurarpana and Senadhipati Utsavam are celebrated on the day preceding the first day of Brahmotsavam.

• Observations during brahmotsavas: As incredibly as the swan which separates the water content from milk, the reigning deity of the seven hills, too, on Hamsavahan, relegates the paap and blesses the bhakta based on his punya. As the powerful snake transforms itself as a vehicle for the Lord during the Seshavahan and Chota Seshavahan in the Brahmotsavam celebrations, the essence of the Sharanagati Tatva explains the moral behind this utsav. The initial prayers offered at the Dwajarohan utsav and Garudotsav is to pray for an unscathed living with high moral values, while Garuda, requested by the Lord himself to stay in the hills, guards the skies from anything untoward coming by.

List of Sevas During Nine Days of Brahmotsavams

Dwajaarohanam

Dwajaarohanam

• Dwajaarohanam is a flag-hoisting festival that is held on the first day by hoisting a flag (Garudadhwaja) with a picture of Garuda (vehicle of Lord Maha Vishnu) on the top of the Dwajah Sthambham in front of the sanctum sanctorum. It is said to be a symbolic significance of formal invitation to all the deities to attend the Brahmotsavam festival. After Dwajarohanam, The Chief Minister, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh symbolically offers new silk clothes to the Lord as a mark of obeisance and thanks giving to the Lord of the Universe in a procession. This was earlier done on 5th day (Garuda Vahana) but due to heavy rush of devotees and for CM security reasons, it has been changed to Dwajarohanam day.Before any thing else happens the god will get out the sanctum sanctorum along with priests then a pooja will be conducted and then the priests and head priest will climb the ontop the dwajasthamba and will decorate it. The priests will decorate it with tulusis and will do a pooja to garuda the they will tie with ropes + the dwaja sthambam. The jeeyangas will be there. Temple priests will be there along with the head priest. The gods will be there and pandits will be chanting a series of vedas and the Garuda Dwaja will be raised. Thus the Brahmotsavam has started.

Pedda Sesha Vahanam

Pedda Sesha Vahanam

• After the Dwajaarohanam the Lord is taken out in a procession in the evening on Aadi Sesha the thousand headed Chief Serpent God as his vehicle. Aadisesha is the seat on which Lord SriManNarayana rests in his abode Sri Vaikunta. Tirumala hills the abode of Lord Venkateswara is said to be the manifestation of Lord Aadisesha. Pedda Aadisesha vahanam will be seven headed.

Chinna Sesha Vahanam

Chinna Sesha Vahanam

• On the second day morning the Lord is taken out in a procession on Vaasuki (Serpent God) as his vehicle. In Bhagavath Geetha Lord Sri Krishna says He is Vaasuki among the serpents. Chinna Sesha Vahanam will be five headed.

Hamsa Vahanam

Hamsa Vahanam

• On the second day evening the Lord is again taken out in a procession on Hamsa (Swan) as his vehicle. Hamsa or swan means ‘pure’. Hamsa is believed to have a high intellectual capability and can distinguish good from bad.

Simha Vahanam

Simha Vahanam

• On the third day morning the Lord is taken out in a procession on Lion symbol as his vehicle. Lion is a symbol of royalty and power. Lord assumed the form of half man and half lion in his Narasimha Avathara. Lord Sri Krishna says in Bhagavath Geetha that he is the Lion among the animals.

Muthyala Pallaki Vahanam

Muthyala Pallaki Vahanam

• On the evening of the third day, the Lord is again taken out in procession along with his concerts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi in a palanquin decorated with a canopy of pearls. Pearl is said to be a symbol of purity and royalty.

Kalpa Vruksha Vahanam

Kalpa Vruksha Vahanam

• On the fourth day of the festival the Lord is taken out in procession in the morning on Kalpa Vruksha as his vehicle signifying that he is the giver of boons to his devotees and fulfills their wishes.

Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam

Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam

• On the fourth day evening the Lord is again taken out in procession on a vehicle called as Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam signifying that He is the Lord of Lords.

Mohini Avataram

Mohini Avataram

• On the fifth day morning the Lord is taken out in procession decorated in the attire of Mohini Avatharam (Ksheera Sagara Madhanam) the one who has distributed the Divine Nectar.

Garuda Vahanam

Garuda Vahanam

• On the fifth day evening the Lord Sri Venkateswara is taken out in procession specially decorated, with his main devotee and chief vehicle Garuda (Garukmantha) the king of birds as his vehicle. It is a unique occasion when thousands gather together and would like to witness the procession.  It is believed and said that it is highly meritorious and mukthi pradham to have darshan of the Lord seated on Garuda,the  vahana of vahana of lord vishnu.

Hanumantha Vahanam

Hanumantha Vahanam

• On the sixth day morning the Lord is taken out in procession with Lord Hanuman as his vehicle. Hanuman was the personification of the most trusted and self less service to the Lord in his avathara as Sri Rama in Treta Yuga. Undoubtedly Lord Hanuman was the greatest devotee of Lord Sri Rama.

Swarna Rathotsam / Gaja Vahanam

Swarna Rathotsam

• On the sixth day evening the Lord is taken out first for Swarnarathotsavam and then in procession on Elephant (Gaja) or Airavatham as his vehicle. We find in Sri Madbhagavatham (Gajendra Moksham) Lord instantly coming to the rescue of Gajendra and get him relieved from the clutches of the Crocodile.

Surya Prabha Vahanam

Surya Prabha Vahanam

• On the seventh day morning the Lord Venkateswara is taken out in procession with Sun God driving the Chariot. Purusha Sooktha describes Sun as born from the eyes of Lord SrimanNarayana (Chaksho! Suryo Ajayathah!). Sun is said to be an incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu (Surya Narayana) .

Chandra Prabha Vahanam

Chandra Prabha Vahanam

• On the seventh day evening the Lord is again taken out in procession with Moon as symbol of his vehicle. Purusha Sooktha describes Moon as "Chandrama Manaso Jaathaha" (Moon is born from the mind Lord Maha Vishnu). Moon is the commander of mind and is a symbol of cool and pleasantness. Both these rituals are symbolic significance that He is the cause for day and night.

Rathotsavam

Rathotswam

• On the penultimate day (eighth day) morning the Lord Venkateswara is taken out in procession along with his concerts seated on a fully decorated Chariot pulled by the devotees with the chanting of Govinda Nama Smarana. Tirumala will be flooded with devotes to witness this occasion. It is believed and said that those who witness the Lord seated on the Chariot during Rathostavam will not be reborn. Idols of Daruka the charioteer of Lord Sri Krishna and four horses are placed before the Lord on the chariot.

Ashwa Vahanam

Ashwa Vahanam

• On the eighth day evening the Lord is again taken out in procession with Aswa (Horse) as his vehicle symbolizing the forthcoming Kalki Avathara. Lord Venkateswara used to ride on a horse during hunting of wild animals. Lord assumed the form of Horse head during his avathara as Hayagreeva.

Chakra Snanam

Chakra Snanam

• On the ninth day morning, last day of the Brahmostavam, special abhishekam (Avabhrutha Snanam) is held for utsava moorthy of Lord Venkateswara and his concerts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi in the complex of Lord Varaha Swamy temple on the banks of Swamy Pushkarini. Later, the Sudarshana Chakra (Disc weapon of the Lord) is immersed in the waters of Swamy Pushkarini. We find large number of devotes simultaneously taking a dip in the Pushkarini waters at that time. It is believed and said that one will get absolved from sins by taking a dip in Swamy Pushkarini simultaneously along with the Sudarshana Chakra on this day.

Dwajaavarohanam

Dwajaavarohanam

• On the ninth day evening the Garuda flag will be lowered as a mark of completion of the Brahmostavam.The jeeyangas will be there along with priests. They will chant various mantras. It is performed in the dwajastamba mandapa. The priests will then lower the garuda dwaja and the festival will soon be completed.

Key Words : Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple   Devi Navaratrulu

Kanipaakam, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, India

Kanipaakam Sri Varasiddi Vinayaka Swamy Vari Sannidhi

Sidhi Vinayaka

How To Reach 

• Kanipakam can be reached by air, rail or road.
• The temple is just 70 kms from Tirupati and can be easily reached by your own vehicle or taxis. The direct buses available from Tirupati.
• The nearest railway station is Chittor, which is 11 kms away.
• The nearest airport is Renigunta. From here you can hire a taxi and reach Kanipakam.

Temple History

• "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. 

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 Uo - 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 & 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

Temple Timings

Daily Open and Closing Timings	04.00 AM to 09.30 PM
Suprabatham, Binduteerthaabishekham	4.00 A.M to 5.05 A.M
Paalabhishekam	5.45 P.M to 6.15 P.M
Special Abhishekam	5.30 A.M to 6.00 A.M, 9.00 A.M to 10.00 A.M & 11.00 A.M to 12.00 noon
Nijaroopa Darshan	Morning 5.00 to 5.30, 7.00 to 7.30, 8.30 to 9.00, 10.30 to 11.00 and Evening 4.30 to 5.00
Ganapathi Homam	Between 9.00 A.M to 12.00 Noon
Ganapathi Modaka Pooja	Before 12.00 Noon
Ganapathi Sahasra Namarchana	10.00 A.M to 11.00 A.M, 1.00 P.M to 1.30 P.M 3.30 P.M to 4.00 P.M, 6.00 P.M to 6.30 P.M
Ganapathi Patra Pooja	Before 12.00 Noon
Shodasa Ganapathi Pooja	Before 12.00 Noon
Moola Mantraarchana	Before 12.00 Noon
MahaHarati(Kumba Harati)	6.00 P.M to 6.15 P.M daily
Pavalimpu Seva (EkanthaSeva)	9.30 P.M onwards
Nitya Kalyanotshavam	11.00 A.m to 12.00
Vunjala Seva	6.30 P.M to 7.30 P.M

Key Words : Srinivasa Mangapuram, Alamelu Mangapuram, Govindaraja Swamy 
Temple, Kapila Teertham Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple, ISKON Sri Radha Krishna Mandir, Thondavada Temple, Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple, Nagalapuram, Chandragiri Fort, Kanipaakam Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple, Ardhagiri Sri Veera Anjaneya Swamy Temple