01Three brothers and a well
The temple’s katha tells of three brothers, one blind, one deaf and one mute, who were deepening a well to water their field, the kani. Their spade struck stone and blood welled up from it; as the water touched them all three were healed. The villagers dug further and found the murti of Ganesh. The well is still there, and the murti sits in its water inside the sanctum. A silver kavacham made decades ago, devotees say, no longer fits, so much has the murti grown.
02The god of the oath
Kanipakam’s Vinayaka is the god of truth for the villages of Chittoor. Quarrelling parties come and swear before him, and a false oath here is held to bring sure punishment; the custom is called satya pramanam. The temple’s tradition credits the first shrine to Kulottunga Chola I in the 11th century, with additions under Vijayanagara. Its Brahmotsavam follows Vinayaka Chaturthi for some three weeks.
The life of this place
- 11th century (tradition)The first temple is built under Kulottunga Chola I.
- Vijayanagara periodThe temple is enlarged under the Vijayanagara kings.
About 12 km from Chittoor and 70 km from Tirupati; many pilgrims combine it with Tirumala.
