The Hindu Business Line : Kanipakam temple grows in stature

EVEN as the State Government is chalking out plans to cash in on the potential temple tourism destinations, Kanipakam, a tiny village 70 km from the temple town of Tirupati, is getting a steady flow of pilgrims, averaging 20,000 a day on regular days and up to one lakh on Brahmotsavams to pay a visit to the ancient temple of Vinayaka.

The fact that the temple earned Rs 6.60 crore in the last financial year as against Rs 22 lakh in 1996-97 shows the growth in the stature of the temple, Mr C. Premkumar, Executive Officer of the temple, told Business Line.

Keeping in view the increasing number of pilgrims, the temple authorities have embarked on a Rs 10-crore master plan to develop the temple and its surroundings. "We have acquired a 12-acre plot adjacent to the temple to construct a facility with 100 rest rooms with an outlay of Rs 3.25 crore," he said.

In the second phase, the temple will have another 22 acres to take up gardens and kalyana mandapams. The temple is expected to get more visitors with the opening of the 104-km broad gauge line between Katpadi and Tirupati stations on Wednesday. It will further boost the traffic as the temple gets ready for the ensuing 21-day brahmotsavams beginning August 31.

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