Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple
Kanipakam, about 11 km from Chittoor, Chittoor district · Lord Ganesha as Swayambhu (self-manifested) Varasiddhi Vinayaka
A self-manifested Ganesha still sitting in the well where farmers found him – a god people swear before to settle disputes.
Kanipakam, about 11 km from Chittoor and some 70–75 km from Tirupati, is one of the best-known Ganesha temples in South India. The deity is swayambhu (self-manifested): tradition says he appeared in a farmer's well, and the image still sits in that well, surrounded by water that never dries and is given to devotees as theertham. Devotees believe the image keeps growing. The temple is also famous as a place where disputes are settled by swearing an oath before the god.
Timings
- Darshan (AP Endowments portal): 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Suprabhata Seva: Early morning – check at counter
- Spl. Ganapathi Homam: 8:00 – 9:00 AM
- Palabhishekam: 8:30 – 9:00 AM
- Panchamrutha Abhishekam: 9:00 – 10:00 AM
- Ganapathi Homam: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
- Kalyanotsavam: 11:00 AM – 12:00 noon
Darshan types and costs
- Sarva darshan – Free
- Seeghra Darshanam – ₹100
- Athi Seeghra Darshanam – ₹150
Sevas and costs
- Suprabhatha Seva (Bindu Theertha Abhishekam) – ₹750 (Daily, early morning)
- Panchamrutha Abhishekam – ₹700 (Daily, 9:00 – 10:00 AM)
- Ksheerabhishekam (Palabhishekam) – ₹200 (Daily, 8:30 – 9:00 AM)
- Samuhika Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Homam – ₹1,000 (Daily, 10:00 – 11:00 AM)
- Special Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Homam – ₹2,000 (Daily, 8:00 – 9:00 AM)
- Siddhi Buddhi sametha Ganapathi Kalyanam – ₹1,116 (Daily, 11:00 AM – 12:00 noon)
- Sankatahara Ganapathi Vratham – ₹500 (On the dates shown on the portal)
- Unjal Seva – ₹250 (Evening (check at counter))
- Pavalimpu Seva (Ekantha Seva) – ₹150 (Night (check at counter))
- Swarna Rathotsavam (golden chariot) – ₹5,000 (Evening (check at counter))
- Aksharabhyasam / Annaprasana / Namakaranam – ₹200 each (Daily)
- Go Puja – ₹250 (Daily)
- Satya Pramanam (oath before the deity) – ₹516 (per the portal's history page) (Daily)
How to book darshan
Sevas, Seeghra/Athi Seeghra darshan and accommodation can be booked on the AP Endowments portal (tms.ap.gov.in, 'Swayambhu Sri Varasiddi Vinayaka Swamy Vari Devasthanam'). Paroksha (remote) sevas are also offered. Counters at the temple sell same-day tickets.
Dress code
The Devasthanam requires traditional dress for sevas: dhoti for men; saree, half-saree or churidar with dupatta for women.
Best time to visit
October to February. Avoid peak summer afternoons. During the 21-day Brahmotsavam from Vinayaka Chavithi (14 Sep – 4 Oct in 2026) the temple is festive but crowded, and most arjitha sevas are suspended.
How to reach
- air: Tirupati Airport (Renigunta), roughly 80–90 km.
- rail: Chittoor is the nearest station (~11 km); Katpadi (Vellore) and Tirupati are bigger junctions.
- road: 11 km from Chittoor and about 75 km from Tirupati (portal); frequent APSRTC buses from both.
Festivals
- Vinayaka Brahmotsavam – 21 days from Bhadrapada Shukla Chavithi (Aug/Sep)
- English New Year – 1 January