Kanipakam Temple is a Hindu temple in Chittoor district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to the god Vishnu and is one of the 108 Vishnu temples in India. It is one of the Divya Desams, the holiest abodes of Vishnu.
Kanipakam temple is located in Kanipakam village, 11 km from Chittoor and 111 km from Tirupati. The temple is situated on a small hillock and the deity is self-manifested (swayambhu) in an underground water tank.
The temple was built during the 11th century by the Chola dynasty kings. The main shrine houses the granite idol of Vishnu, which is about 1 m in height. The idol has his right hand raised in abhaya hasta (a gesture that assures safety to his devotees) and his left hand holding a conch shell (symbol of purity). The shrine of his consort Lakshmi is located to the right of the main shrine. There are also shrines dedicated to Hanuman and Garuda (the divine eagle), the two loyal devotees of Vishnu.
The temple complex has four gopurams (gateway towers) - the main entrance tower is about 9 m tall and the other three towers are about 4 m tall. The temple tank, called Saravana Poigai, is located to the north of the temple complex. It is believed that this is where Vishnu first appeared on earth.
Devotees believe that Kanipakam Temple is a place where their wishes will be fulfilled. Many devotees visit the temple every day to offer their prayers and to take a dip in the holy water of the temple tank. The temple is also popular among tourists who come to Chittoor to explore its rich cultural and religious heritage.
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