GANAPATHY TEMPLES IN KERALA

GANAPATHY TEMPLES IN KERALA

Ganapathy is also known as Vinayaka, is the most popular Hindu deities worshipped by all sections of Hindus.Ganapathi , the son of Lord Shiva and Parvathy.Ganapathy Puja was prevelent in Kerala since the ancient times.No undertaking ,wheather scared or secular ,can get started with out first honouring and worshipping him.All temple events and other good events starts with Ganapathy Homam or by breaking a coconut in front of Lord Ganesha.This is higly desirable ,since he is said to be the lord of obstacles(Vighneswara).He is also describes  as Supreme leader(Vinayaka).Ganapathy is said to have had two spouces.Buddhi ,the intellect and Siddhi , the achievement.So he is the master of Knowledge and achievement.As Ekadanta, the Lord has limitless powers.As Heramba ,he removes obstacles.As Lambodara ,he protects all world.By all these ,who is the Lord of all.
  The Ganapathy cannot by any human standards.He has elephant head ,big stomach and uncouth form.But we captivated his form and like to see him and worship him.
One of the  popular story regarding his unusual structure is as follows
 One day when Lord Shiva was away ,Goddess Parvathy wanted to take bath.To guard against any unwelcome intrusion ,he took a little turmeric paste from her body and created a young boy.She gave instructions to him that not to allow anybody inside.
After a while Lord Shiva unfortunately returned.The boy refused him admission, though Lord Shiva told him that he is the husband of Parvathy.But the boy didnt hear that.Lord Shiva became very angry and cut off the head of new boy and threw it away.At this time Parvathy came back and very sad, that the boy was killed.Lord Shiva wanted to console Parvathy.So he sent his army to bring the first head that they see on their way.The first head that they saw , the head of an elephant,Shiva fixed the head on the boys trunk and brought him back to life.And also adopted him as his elder son.
The Lord Shiva has four hands .In one hand a rope(ankusha) is used to pull the devotee closer and closer to the truth.,in anither hand he has an axe with this he cuts off the attatchement of his devotees to the world of plurality and ends all sorrows.In the third hand he holds a rice ball that represents the joy of sadhana.The 4 th hand he blessess devotees and protects from obstacles.
His vehicle is a small mouse.The Significance of riding on a mouse is the complete conquest over egoism.,its also denites the process of eveolution., the mouse gradually evolves into an elephant and finally became a man.This is why the ganapathy has a human body , an elephant head and mouse as his vehicle.
In south India Gnapathy considered as cronic batchelor.But in northern part he has two wifes Sidhi and Budhi.
Ganapathi who is also referred to as Ganapathi, Ganesa (Chief of Shiva’s army) Vigneswara, (He who removes obstacles), Gaja Mukha (Elephant faced God), Eka Dantha (God with one tusk), Lambodhara (God with a big Paunch) etc is one of the very important Gods of the Hindu pantheon. He is endearingly called Pillayar (our son) in Tamilnadu.

The story that tells Ganapathy how speedly round the world: 

  Once sage Narada offered a very celestial mango fruit to Lord Shiva. Both his children Ganapathi and Subrahmanya wanted that fruit. Narada suggested that the one who travels all round the world first should get this fruit. Both Ganapathi and Subrahmanya agreed. Immediately Lord Subrahmanya started for his journey on his steed the peacock.
Ganapathi who is very heavy and rides on a slow mouse circled round

Lord Shiva and Parvathi and said that he has gone round the world because the entire world was within Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Lord Shiva was pleased with this explanation and gave the mango to Ganapathi

Another story says that , there was a need for Shiva to appoint a commander and the above competition was held and Ganapathi won the post as explained in the last paragraph and was nominated as Ganesa or Ganapathi(Both meaning the Lord of Shiva’s army) and later Lord Subramanya was appointed as the captain of the army of devas.
Another story says that when Ganapathi and Subrahmanya reached marriageable age, Shiva held the above competition and Ganapathi won it as described and his marriage with Sidhi and Budhi was celebrated first.

 Vinayaka Chadurthy is the Birthday of Lord Ganapathy.Vinayaka Chadurthy falls on the 4 th day of new moon in the month of chingam.He like Modakam very much.

108 names of Ganesha

Om Gam Ganapathaye Namaha

“SarvaVignaharam Devam SarvaKaryaphalapradham
Sarvasiddhi pradhataram Vandeham Gaananayakam“

Om Vinayakaya Namaha

Om Vighnarajaya Namaha

Om Gauripatraya Namaha

Om Ganesvaraya Namaha

Om Skandagrajaya Namaha

Om Avyayaya Namaha

Om Putaya Namaha

Om Dakshaya Namaha

Om Adhyakshaya Namaha

Om Dvijapriyaya Namaha

Om Agnigarbhachide Namaha

Om Indrasripradaya Namaha

Om Vanipradaya Namaha

Om Avyayaya Namaha

Om Sarvasiddhipradaya Namaha

Om Sarvatanayaya Namaha

Om Sarvaripriyaya Namaha

Om Sarvatmakaya Namaha

Om Srushtikatre Namaha

Om Devaya Namaha

Om Anekarchitaya Namaha

Om Sivaya Namaha

Om Suddhaya Namaha

Om Buddhipriyaya Namaha

Om Santaya Namaha

Om Brahmacharine Naamaha

Om Gajananaya Namaha

Om Dvaimatreyaya Namaha

Om Munistutyaya Namaha

Om Bhaktavighnavinasanaya Namaha

Om Ekadantaya Namaha

Om Chaturbahave Namaha

Om Chaturaya Namaha

Om Saktisamyutaya Namaha

Om Lambodaraya Namaha

Om Surpakarnaya Namaha

Om Haraye Namaha

Om Brahmaviduttamaya Namaha

Om Kalaya Namaha

Om Grahapataye Namaha

Om Kamine Namaha

Om Somasuryagnilochanaya Namaha

Om Pasankusadharaya Namaha

Om Chandaya Namaha

Om Gunatitaya Namaha

Om Niranjanaya Namaha

Om Akalmashaya Namaha

Om Svayamsiddhaya Namaha

Om Siddharchitapadambujaya Namaha

Om Bijapuraphalasaktaya Namaha

Om Varadaya Namaha

Om Sasvataya Namaha

Om Krutine Namaha

Om Dvijapriyaya Namaha

Om Vitabhayaya Namaha

Om Gadine Namaha

Om Chakrine Namaha

Om Ikshuchapadhrite Namaha

Om Sridaya Namaha

Om Ajaya Namaha

Om Utpalakaraya Namaha

Om Sripataye Namaha

Om Stutiharshitaya Namaha

Om Kuladribhettre Namaha

Om Jatilaya Namaha

Om Kalikalmashanasanaya Namaha

Om Chandrachudamanaye Namaha

Om Kantaya Namaha

Om Papaharine Namaha

Om Samahitaya Namaha

Om Asritaya Namaha

Om Srikaraya Namaha

Om Saumyaya Namaha

Om Bhaktavanchitadayakaya Namaha

Om Santaya Namaha

Om Kaivalyasukhadaya Namaha

Om Sachidanandavigrahaya Namaha

Om Jnanine Namaha

Om Dayayutaya Namaha

Om Dantaya Namaha

Om Brahmadveshavivarjitaya Namaha

Om Pramattadaityabhayadaya Namaha

Om Srikanthaya Namaha

Om Vibhudesvaraya Namaha

Om Ramarchitaya Namaha

Om Vidhaye Namaha

Om Nagarajayajnopavitavate Namaha

Om Sthulakanthaya Namaha

Om Svayamkartre Namaha

Om Samaghoshapriyaya Namaha

Om Parasmai Namaha

Om Sthulatundaya Namaha

Om Agranye Namaha

Om Dhiraya Namaha

Om Vagisaya Namaha

Om Siddhidayakaya Namaha

Om Durvabilvapriyaya Namaha

Om Avyaktamurtaye Namaha

Om Adbhutamurtimate Namaha

Om Sailendratanujotsanga Khelanotsukamanasaya Namaha

Om Svalavanyasudhasarajita Manmathavigrahaya Namaha

Om Samastajagadadharaya Namaha

Om Mayine Namaha

Om Mushikavahanaya Namaha

Om Hrushtaya Namaha

Om Tushtaya Namaha

Om Prasannatmane Namaha

Om Sarvassiddhipradayakaya Namaha

“Ithi Sri Vigneshwara Astothara Satharamavali hi”

GANAPATHY TEMPLES IN KERALA

KASARGOD 

Madhoor Anantheswara Siddi Vinayaka Temple

The Anantheswara Temple , with its rich architecture and copper plate roofing ,rises majestically against the beautiful landscape of the Madhuvahini River.Its is unique Three tiered dome.The Namaskara Mandapam is adornes with lovely puctures in wood.This wood pictures reveals the episodes of Ramayana , and is Starting with Seetha Swayamvaram.
 Madhur temple was initially called Madhanentheswara temple(Lord Shiva), and the belives is , a low caste female named Mdhura found an UDBHAVA murthy of Shiva linga.
The Statue of lord Ganapathy on the sanctum in Madhur temple is the main attraction.The statue was drawn by brahmin boy.He draw a small ganapathy but the image became big and fat.So the boy named the ganapathy as Bodda Gnaesa.
Madhur is one of the famous Ganapathy temples of Tulunadu.
Temple Timing :
Morning : 05.30 AM to 12.30 PM
Evening : 05.30 PM tp 08.00 PM

KANNUR

Velam Maha Ganapathy Temple

Velam Name came from Mahabharatha.The place whre Bhima killed Bakan was called Velam.Bakane konna Bakalam then termed as velam.There are two sanctum sanctorums in the enclosed inner ambulatory. Siva is enshrined as Rajarajeswara in the bigger sanctum sanctorum and as Vaidyanatha in the smaller sanctum sanctorum. In the southern corridor of the Rajarajeswara temple, Maha Ganapati is enshrined facing south. Close to Maha Ganapati is ascribed the presence of Dakshinamurti. In the western corridor of the Rajarajeswara temple facing west is Sri Parvati. Outside the enclosed inner ambulatory, in the north-west corner is Sri Krishna temple. The Velam Sri Maha Ganapati temple complex consists of these.

This is the one and only temple in Kerala where two Siva temples (Rajarajeswara and Vaidyanatha) occur inside a single inner ambulatory. This temple is special that even though the important deity appears to be Rajarajeswara, the upadeva Ganapati has more importance and the whole temple complex is known in the name of Ganapati. It is estimated that the Vaidyanatha temple is about 2000 years old and the Rarajeswara temple is about 1000 years old. The main offerings in the temple are Payasam, Ganapathi Homam, Swarna Kompu, Pushpanjali, Neyyamruthu, Neivilakku etc.

WAYANAD

Batheri Maha Ganapathi Temple

This temple is in Sulthan Bathery.The chief deity is Ganapathi facing east.   To get plenty of rain, "Abhishekam with water "was performed. Sultan Bathery was previously known as Ganapathy Vattom because of the presence of the Ganapathy temple. During the time of Kulashekara this place was the temple is situated was known as Purakizha. Some believe that the kings of Purakizha completed the construction of the temple. Later the temple was in the hands of the rulers of Kottayam It is believed that Tipu destroyed the Temple and used the stones for building a Fort. After that the name of the place was changed into Sultan Bathery.The Upadevatas in this temple are Bhagavathi,Ayyappan,Nagaraja and Shiva.

Puthangadi Ganapathi Temple

KOZHIKODE

Tali Sri  Maha Ganapathi  BalaSubramania Temple

Tali Temple is Saneeswara Navagraha temple.Maha Ganapathy is the main.Bala Subramania and Navagraha also is there.The glory has been sanctified by regular chanting of vedic mantharas.After Maha kumbhabishekam , the daily pujas commences.

MALAPPURAM

Naduvath Eswaramangalam Sri Siva Temple

Main prathishta in this temple is Sivan.Ganapathi,Sree Bhagavathi,Ayyappan and Nagaraja are the Upapradishtas.This temple situated in Nilambur route.

Indianoor Ganapathy Temple

The temple situates in Kottakal Malappuram district. The presiding deities are Siva and Vishnu. But the importance is given to the sub-deity Ganapathy. The presiding deities are facing the east and the sub-deity Ganapathy is facing the south. The other sub-deity is Sasthavu. The main offering to Ganapathy is Otta-appam (single bread).

PALAKKAD

Kshipra Ganapathy

Presiding deity is Ganapathy here. The name itself denotes that this deity fulfill devotees desires with no time. So called this deity is Kshipra Ganapathy. Navagraha also installed in the temple and devotees are worshipped. The idol is crimson in color, adorned with a tusk, wish yielding creeper, noose and hook in his four hands and a pot of jewels in his trunk. The entire icon is seen glowing like the Bandooka flower.

Kuzhalmandam Maha Ganapathy Temple

MahaGanapathy occupies a significant place and he is  involved before any undertaking.He is remover of all misfortunes.Situated at the outskirts of the agraharam, the temple is facing east.In front of the temple, there is a huge tank called pillayarkulam.Here Vinayaka Chathurthi is celebrated every year with Abhishekam and special poojas in August/September.The main offering is Modakam and Neiappam. Breaking of coconut is another offering.Every devotee has his own experience about the blessings of the lord.

Muthuthala Maha Ganapathy Temple

 Temple enshrined with the idol of Maha Ganapathi as the principal deity. A remarkable aspect of this temple is that there is no roof for the sanctum-sanctorum. Many devotees from different parts of Kerala visit here to offer "Ottappam"  offering  to the deity. This temple is also known for "Mangalya Puja" .

Manthakkara Maha Ganapathi temple

The idol of Mahaganapathy resting under a Banyan tree near a tank lying on the eastern side of this village was installed facing Lord Siva. Ratholsavam ( Car Festival )The festival centres round the Viswanathaswamy Temple on the banks of the Bharathapuzha at Kalpathy, an ancient shrine.According to mythology, the deity was brought from the holy Ganga at Varanasi and the great Bana had worshipped in the temple.

THRISSUR 

Kakkad Ganapathy Temple

Kakkad Maha Ganapathi Temple is a delightful shrine located at Kunnamkulam in Thrissur This ancient temple enshrines the idols of Lord Ganesh and Vettakkorumakan (Lord Shiva).
Kanayannur

ERANAKULAM

Edappally Maha Ganapathy Temple

The Mahaganapathy Temple is one of the most important Ganapathy temples in Kerala.This is the part of Edappaly Kottaram. The deity here is the patron deity of the Edappally Royal Family. The Temple is constructed at the Middle of the forecourts of Edappally Swaroopam and faces to east. Udayasthamana Pooja conducted here is very famous.

KOTTAYAM 

Malliyoor Maha Ganapathy Temple

 

The deity here is conceptualized as Beeja Ganapathy - the trunk twisted rightwards (valampiri) carries a lime on its tip, hands hold axe, rope, horn and a laddoo can.The endearing elephant - headed Lord Ganesha, the son of Siva and Parvathy, enjoys prime place among all the gods in the Hindu pantheon. He is Parabrahma incarnate, the God of Wisdom and Learning, the Remover of all Obstacles and is worshipped first, any other god. The Malliyoor Sree MahaGanapathy Temple is in comparable in the conception of the presiding deity as Vaishnava Ganapathy, with a young Sree Krishna seated on the lap of Lord Ganesha.  According to the temple documents this ancient temple existed before the rule of the Perumals. Only a member of Malliyoor mana can become the Melshanti and the Tantric rites goes to Manayathattu Illam . TGanapathy Homam ,  Mukkutti Pushpanjali , Aayiram kudam abhishekam , Palppayasam , Thadi nivedyam (for the curing of deceases), Pazhamala - garland made of bananas (for getting good marriage proposals), Udayasthamaya pooja, Chathurthiyoottu, Unniyappam, Modakam and Karukamala are the main offerings here. Vinayaka Chathurthi in Chingam (August-September) is the main festival. On that day Sahasrashtathika (1008) Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathy Homam and Gaja pooja will be performed. 

                          Idayattu Bala Ganapathy Temple

This Ganapathy Temple is located at Idayattu,near Pala. Here Ganapathy is in Bala(child) form.Vinayaka Chathurthi in Chingam is the main festival. Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathy Homam, Unniyappam and Modakam are the main offerings to Bala Ganapathy.

Suryakalady Maha Ganapathy Devasthanam

The Maha Ganapathy idol is placed inside of the Nalukettu. Here Ganapathy is worshipped in the form of Beeja Ganapathy (Ganapathy having ten hands and accompanied by wife). The Ganapathy Homam in Suryakalady Mana is entirely different from other temples. Surya is considered as the lamp or Vilakku for the five hour long Ganapathy Homam. Ganapathy homam and Palppayasa homam are done in every morning. Mukkooti Homam and Nalikera Ganapathy Homam are the special offerings.

Vinayaka Chathurthi is the main festival at Suryakalady Mana. On that day Sahasrashtathika Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathy Homam is done. Special poojas like Panchavimsathi Kalasabhishekam, Maha Nivedyam and Prathyaksha Ganapathy Pooja are also performed on that day. Every sunday there will be a special Surya Pooja. Shiva Parvathy pooja is done on the first day of every month.

(This ancient Brahmin Mana is famous for tantric and mantric rituals and is situated on the bank of Meenachil river. Hundreds of years ago, a member of Kaladi family had got a mantric book from Surya Deva. Thereafter the Kaladi Mana became famous as Surya Kaladi Mana and the male members of this family got the name 'Surya Kaladi Suryan Bhattathiri'. Surya Deva is considered as the Guru of Surya Kaladi Bhattathiries and Maha Ganapathy is their Upasana moorthy or Thevara moorthy. Lord Ganesha had helped the family members on different occassions.)

Manavalathu Ganapathy Temple Kudamaloor

Manavalathu Ganapathy Temple is located at Kottakkunnu, near Kudamaloor Vaadhyar Madham. Maha Ganapathy (facing west) is the main diety. The Ganapathy idol was faced east before the construction of Kudamaloor Church in front of this Temple. Construction of the church was interrupted several times because of Ganapathy's angry. To avoid this the Chempakasseri King reinstalled the Ganapathy idol as seen today. Vinayaka Chathurthi in Chingam is the main festival. Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathy Homam, Unniyappam, Modakam and Karukamala are the main offerings.

Vazhappally Maha Ganapathy Temple

 This ancient temple of Siddhi Vinayaka is situated within the compound walls of Vazhappally Mahadeva Temple. Mahaganapathy appam or Ottayappam, Unniyappam, Modakam, Vadamala, Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathy Homam and Mukkootti Pushpanjali are the main offerings.This temple has a Dhwaja Prathishta in front of Ganapathy (facing South).  Vinayaka Chathurthi is celebrated here in a grand style. 

Kanjirappally Pillayar Kovils

This temple is located in Kanjirappally. In Tamil Nadu Ganapathy is usually called Pillayar. The Pillayar Kovil built in granite, stands as a testimony to the early Tamil influence in religion and culture. The Vellala Pillas migrated from Kumbhakonam in Tamil Nadu to Kanjirappally attended the Pillayar Kovil for worship but later they built another temple on the northern side of the temple property, called Northern Ganapathiyar Kovil in Pallava style of architecture. Now these two Ganapathy temples are collectively called Pillayar Kovils. Vinayaka Chathurthi in Chingam is the main festival. Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathy Homam, Unniyappam, Modakam and Karukamala are the main offerings to Pillayar.

ALAPPUZHA 

Mavelikkara Maha Ganapathy Temple

The Mahaganapathy temple is situated in Mavelikkara is a Shrine.The temple stands at a point where three roads meet.Here its beleived that the best way to please the gods is to provide food for all.Annadanam is Mahadanam.The Laksharchana arranged to propitiate Ganapathy gains added significance when we remember that Lord Vigneswara was the scribe when VedaVyasa Maharshi dictated the unique celestial story.

PATHANAMTHITTA

Pamba Maha Gnapathy Temple

Pamba Maha Ganapathy temple in Pathanamthitta.The main deity here is Ganapathy.The main offerings are Laksharchana,Gnapathyhomam,Muzhukkap,Vadamala,Aval,Pushpabhishekam.Breaking of coconut is main offering.



KOLLAM 

Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple

The temple is actually kizhakkekkara Siva temple.And the main deity is Lord Siva.Ganapathy is  only minor deity here.But the temple today famous as a ganapathy temple.The main festivals are vinayakaChadurthi,ayillyam makam,Navarathri etc.Kottarakkara Unniyappam attracts devotees around the globe.
Thamarakkulam Maha Gnapathy
Punalur Maha Gnapathy temple
Kottarakkulam Maha Ganapathy Temple

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Pazhavangadi Maha Gnapathy Temple

 Pazhavnagdi Ganapathy temple is one of the most famous Ganesha Temples in Kerala.Original idol is small idol of Lord Ganapathy, with the right leg in the folded posture.The other deitys are Ayyappa ,Durga, Nagaraja,Brahmarakshas.The Main offerings are breaking of coconut,modakam,appam.Vinayaka Chadurthi,ganesa Jayanthi,Varad chadurthi are the festivals.
Nemom Maha Ganapathy
Padmatheerthakkara valampiri Ganapathy temple