jai sree ganesh

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Lord Ganapathy Ohm Gam Ganapathaye Nama: Ganapathy - son of Shiva and Parvathy, is one of the popular deities worshipped by Hindus. Ganapathy Puja was prevalent in Kerala since the ancient times. All temple events and other good events starts with a Ganapathy Homam or by breaking a coconut in front of Lord Ganesha. Ganesha is the God of Knowledge and is invoked at the commencement of any function. He is the god that protects his devotees from any obstacles(vighnam). Hence the name Vighneswara. He is also described as the Supreme Leader(Vinayaka).Ganapathy is said to have had two spouses.

Buddhi(intellect) and Siddhi(achievement). Thus 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 worlds. As Surpa Karna, He shows compassion by giving the highest knowledge. All these names for Lord Vinayaka, who is the Lord of all. The Lord has four hands. In one hand he has a rope(ankusha) while in another he has an axe. With the axe he cuts off the attachment of his devotees to the world of plurality and thus end all the sorrows that go with it. The rope is used to pull the devotee close and closer to the Truth. The holding of the ankusha represents His rulership of the world. It is the emblem of divine Royalty. In a third hand he holds a rice ball that represents the joys of Sadhana. With the other hand he blesses his devotees and protects them from obstacles that they may encounter on their Spiritual path of seeking the Supreme. The form of Ganapathi cannot, by any human standards, be termed as handsome. He has a small head, big stomach and uncouth form. But still we are captivated by His form and like to see Him more and more and worship Him. Beauty does not lie in the Aakaara, the external form but can be experienced even in Vikaara (apparent uncouthness). He has as his vehicle a small mouse.The significance of riding on a mouse is the complete conquest over egoism. Riding on a mouse, one of nature's smallest creatures and having the head of an elephant, the biggest of all animals, denotes that Ganesha is the creator of all creatures. Elephants are very wise animals; this indicates that Lord Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom. It also denotes the process of evolution--the mouse gradually evolves into an elephant and finally becomes a man. This is why Ganesha has a human body, an elephant's head and a mouse as His vehicle. This is the symbolic philosophy of His form. Ganesha sacrificed his own tusk and used it as a pen to write down the Mahaabhaaratha to the dictation of Vyaasa, for the benefit of humanity. He is also considered the most intelligent. A challenge was thrown to brothers Ganapathy and Karthikeya by Sage Narada. The challenge was whoever went around the globe first would have the fruit first. Karthikeya went around the world which took quite some time while Ganapathy went round his parents thrice and claimed the fruit. The logic he gave was that since his parents represented the universe he had gone round them.Ganapathi taught that one should respect one's parents and thereby win their grace and secure bliss. Vinayaka Chathurthi This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha. Vinayaka Chaturthi is grandly celebrated in Kerala. All temples especially Ganapathy temples celebrate this festival.Vinayaka Chaturthi falls on the 4th

day of the new moon in the month of Chingam (August-September).On that day rituals like Gaja Pooja,Aanayoottu and Ashtadravya Mahaganapathi Homam were performed in the temples. Ganapathy likes Modakam very much. On one of His birthdays He was going around house to house accepting the offerings of sweet Modakams. Having eaten a good number of these, He set out moving on His mouse at night. Suddenly the mouse stumbled--it had seen a snake and became frightened--with the result that Ganesha fell down. His stomach burst open and all the sweet puddings came out. But Ganesha stuffed them back into His stomach and, catching hold of the snake, tied it around His belly.Seeing all this, the moon in the sky had a hearty laugh. This unseemly behaviour of the moon annoyed Him immensely and so he pulled out one of His tusks and hurled it against the moon, and cursed that no one should look at the moon on the Vinayaka Chaturthi day. If anyone does, he will

surely earn a bad name, censure or ill-repute. However, if by mistake someone does happen to look at the moon on this day, then the only way he can be freed from the curse is by repeating or listening to the story of how Lord Krishna cleared His character regarding the Syamantaka jewel. Ganapathy Temples in Kottayam 1. Malliyoor Maha Ganapathy Temple Malliyoor Maha Ganapathy Temple is situated in Kuruppunthara near Kaduthuruthy. This is the family temple of Bhagavatham expert and Sanskrit scholar Bhagavatha Hamsam Brahmasree Malliyoor Shankaran Namboothiri who has completed more than 2,500 Bhagavatha Saptahams. 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. 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 . The present 'Melshanti' is Parameswaran Namboothiri (son of Shankaran Namboothiri). Ganapathy Homam (for removal of obstacles), Mukkutti Pushpanjali (for the achievement of one's desires), Aayiram kudam abhishekam (for the prosperity of the family), Palppayasam (for the welfare of the children and for those who do not have children and this offering is made to Vishnu), 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. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays are auspicious days. 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. The 8 day long annual utsavam is in Meenam (March-April). The arattu is done in the pond of Iravimangalam Subrahmanya Swami temple. The birthday of Brahmasree Malliyoor Shankaran Namboothiri is celebrated in the month of Makaram (January-February) in a grand style. In the previous years his birthdays were celebrated in connection with Ekona Satha Krathu Sapthaha Yajnam, Maha Samrajya Pattabhishekam, Sreemad Bhagavatha Parishad etc. Ashtamirohini, Navarathri, Mandalam Chirappu, Ganesha Music Festival, Vishu, Monthly Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yajnam are the other important festivals here. Now Ganapathy is worshipped as Vaishnava Ganapathy. Because of Shankaran Namboothiri's

continuous meditation and worship of Lord Krishna and recital of Sreemad Bhagavatham inside the Ganapathy sreekovil the presence of Krishna is also there in this sreekovil. That's why the Maha Ganapathy in this temple is portrayed as Ganapathy cradling little Sree Krishna in his lap. Shastha, Bhagavathy, Sarppa Devatas, Anthi Mahakalan and Yakshi are the sub dieties or upadevathas. For more details visit http://www.malliyoortemple.com 2. Suryakaldy Maha Ganapathy Devasthanam Suryakalady Mana is located at Nattassery, near Kottayam. 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. 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 (starts at 5am and ends at 1.30pm)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. For more details visit http://www.suryakalady.org 3. Vazhappally Maha Ganapathy Temple Vazhappally Maha Ganapathy Temple is located at Mathumoola in Changanassery. 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). The ten day annual Utsavam in the month of Meenam (March-April) begins with Kodiyettu on Chathayam day and ends with Arattu on Thiruvathira day. Vinayaka Chathurthi is also celebrated here in a grand style. This temple is managed by Travancore Devaswam Board. 4. 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. 5. Idayattu Bala Ganapathy Temple This Ganapathy Temple is located at Idayattu,near Pala( 2 Km from Pala in Pala-Ponkunnam route). 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. This temple is managed by Travancore Devaswam Board. 6. Kalakadu Maha Ganapathy Temple Parippu Kalakadu

Temple is located at Parippu,near Kottayam and is managed by Kalakadu Illam. Kalakadu Illam is famous for mantric and tantric rituals. Here two Ganapathy idols are there in the same sanctum sanctorum. One idol is of standing Ganapathy (Panchaloha idol) and the other is of sitting Ganapathy(stone idol). Devootees can visit and offer prayers at this Kshipra Prasadi Ganapathy temple any time in between 6am and 7.30 pm. Vinayaka Chathurthi in Chingam is the main festival. Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathy Homam, Unniyappam, Modakam and Karukamala are the main offerings to Kalakadu Ganapathy. 7. 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. 8. Kidangoor Maha Ganapathy Temple Kidangoor Maha Ganapathy Temple is located near to the west gopuram of Kidangoor Subrahmanya Swami Temple and is managed by a trust. A beautiful idol of Maha Ganapathy (facing east) is installed in this temple in 1990's. The Nalambalam wall is decorated with different Ganapathy forms. Vinayaka Chathurthi in Chingam is the main festival. Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathy

Homam, Unniyappam, Modakam and Karukamala are the main offerings here too. 9. Puthumana Mahaganapathy Devasthanam It is located at Thururuthy, near Changanassery. 21 different idols of Ganapathy in 21 Bhavas (moods) are worshipped here. The devotees can see only the idol of Siddhi Vinayaka Bhavaa. Only the preiests can see other idols. The main ritual conducted here is Vigneswara Bali (a sacrificial ritual). This ritual helps to nullify mental diseases. People from far and near come to conduct this ritual. Karuka Moodal (for fulfilment of wishes), Ganapathi Prathal (for removal of obstacles in marriage), Ganapathiyoottu (for prosperity), Ganesh Sadhya (for decimating the doings of enemies) are the other offerings. Ganeshayantra Elas (pendant) delivered from here posseses miraculous powers, the devotees testify. 10. Thekkedathu Ganapathy Temple Kudamaloor It is located near to

Padinjattukavu Devi Temple in Kudamaloor and is managed by Thekkedathu Bhattathiri. Ganapathy idol of this temple was brought to here from Mullakkal Temple in Alappuzha. Ganapathy homam is the main offering and Vinayaka Chathurthi is the main festival. 11. Mannakkanadu Chirayil Ganapathy Temple Chirayil Ganapathy Temple is located at Mannakkanadu near Kuravilangadu. Ganapathy homam is the main offering and Vinayaka Chathurthi is the main festival. The arattu of Kurichithanam Maha Vishnu temple is done in the pond of Chirayil Ganapathy Temple. Mannakkanadu Kavil Bhagavathy Temple is very close to this temple. WITH WARM REGARDS, MANO RAJ

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