Kottarakara Ganapathy Temple is one of the famous temples in south india with great historical importance. There are many legends about Kottarakara Ganapathy. Actually the main ‘Prathistha'(Idol) is Lord Siva, but Ganapathy is famous here. The exact name of the temple was Kizhakkekara Siva Kshethram. The main deity is none other than Lord Siva himself – Siva facing eastward. In fact Ganapathy is only a minor deity here. But the temple today is famous as a Ganapathy temple rather than a Siva temple.
The legend behind this is that Kizhakkekara temple was the property of two Nampoothiri houses – Akavoor and Oomanpally. Padinjattinkara Siva temple belonged to the royal house of Elayidathu.
One day, before sunrise, rituals were taking place for the consecration of Siva at the Pandinjattinkara temple, the work of which was managed by the legendary Uliyannor Perumthachan. Outside the temple , while listening to the manthras , he started chiselling a piece of jackfruit tree. To his surprise, he found that it was the form of ‘Ganapathy’ that was taking shape. Thus he asked the chief priest to enshrine ‘Ganapathy’ also after the consecration of Siva. The chief priest denied. “This is a Siva temple. Ganapathy cannot be consecrated here.”
Perumthachan, desperate, walked towards the east and thus reached Kizhakkekkara Siva temple where the temple priest was preparing offerings for the lord- Unniyappam. Perumthachan asked him “Can you not sanctify this Ganapathy here ?”. The priest agreed. Perumthachan viewed the place- Siva facing east, in front of that it is Ganga, Parvathy turned towards the west. Southwest there is Sastha and northwest Subrahmanya. If Ganapathy too is installed, Siva family will be complete. The place will be none other than Kailas itself. Thus Ganapathy was installed southeast by Perumthachan.
Perumthachan then asked the priest “ Unni Ganapathy must be hungry. What is the sacrificial food that you have prepared?”. “Unniyappam” was the reply. On a leaf, the priest placed six to seven Unniyappams stringed together. Perumthachan, with all his heart devoted his first offerings-Koottappam. Koottappam is still known to be the most wanted nivedhyam for Kottarakara Ganapathy. After the offerings Perumthachan affectionately declared “Though father is the main diety, the son will be much more famous”.
His words proved to be true. Kizhakkekkara Siva temple is now known as Kottarakara Ganapathy temple.
Ganapathy is the leader of the Ganas, i.e., the leader of groups, tribes, race, army, escorts, and hence Lord Siva’s son is described as the supreme leader (Vinayaka). He is also known as Vigneswara — Lord of all obstacles. These names clearly show that He is a master of all Circumstances.
Ganapathy is represented as yellow skinned, short with a big round belly, elephant headed with one trunk, four arms, large ears, bright shining eyes.
There are multiple versions about the origin of Lord Vinayaka. According to the Varahapurana, once upon a time the Devas approached Lord Siva and submitted before him the need of a baby who can do away with all obstacles. With the consent of Parvathy devi, Siva agreed to the proposal. Devi become pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful baby. The ladies of Devalokam gathered around him. Keeping in mind the character of the ladies Parvathy blessed her child with these words: “May your beauty change to that of a tusker headed body with a big belly.” Her desire was fulfilled. But Lord Siva, though unhappy, named him Ganesa and he blessed Ganesha saying, “Your position will be above all Ganas. All gods will acknowledge the prominence of Ganesa, and those who are not ready to worship you will fall into deep waters.”
The Skandapurana says that Ganapathy was formed from the dirt collected from the body of Goddess Parvathy. Devi created an extraordinary elephant-headed creature with four arms and deputed him to safeguard the entrance towards the Chandraprathishta, which was being performed in heaven.
According to the Padmapurana, Parvathy, like all of God’s creations, had the desire to give birth to a son who would be the embodiment of all virtue. For this she prayed to God Vishnu who appeared before her. He granted her wish by taking birth in her womb. The son thus born to Parvathy is Ganapathy.
is one of the famous temples in south india with great historical importance. There are many legends about Kottarakara Ganapathy. Actually the main ‘Prathistha'(Idol) is Lord Siva, but Ganapathy is famous here. The exact name of the temple was Kizhakkekara Siva Kshethram. The main deity is none other than Lord Siva himself – Siva facing eastward. In fact Ganapathy is only a minor deity here. But the temple today is famous as a Ganapathy temple rather than a Siva temple.
The legend behind this is that Kizhakkekara temple was the property of two Nampoothiri houses – Akavoor and Oomanpally. Padinjattinkara Siva temple belonged to the royal house of Elayidathu.
One day, before sunrise, rituals were taking place for the consecration of Siva at the Pandinjattinkara temple, the work of which was managed by the legendary Uliyannor Perumthachan. Outside the temple , while listening to the manthras , he started chiselling a piece of jackfruit tree. To his surprise, he found that it was the form of ‘Ganapathy’ that was taking shape. Thus he asked the chief priest to enshrine ‘Ganapathy’ also after the consecration of Siva. The chief priest denied. “This is a Siva temple. Ganapathy cannot be consecrated here.”
Perumthachan, desperate, walked towards the east and thus reached Kizhakkekkara Siva temple where the temple priest was preparing offerings for the lord- Unniyappam. Perumthachan asked him “Can you not sanctify this Ganapathy here ?”. The priest agreed. Perumthachan viewed the place- Siva facing east, in front of that it is Ganga, Parvathy turned towards the west. Southwest there is Sastha and northwest Subrahmanya. If Ganapathy too is installed, Siva family will be complete. The place will be none other than Kailas itself. Thus Ganapathy was installed southeast by Perumthachan.
Perumthachan then asked the priest “ Unni Ganapathy must be hungry. What is the sacrificial food that you have prepared?”. “Unniyappam” was the reply. On a leaf, the priest placed six to seven Unniyappams stringed together. Perumthachan, with all his heart devoted his first offerings-Koottappam. Koottappam is still known to be the most wanted nivedhyam for Kottarakara Ganapathy. After the offerings Perumthachan affectionately declared “Though father is the main diety, the son will be much more famous”.
His words proved to be true. Kizhakkekkara Siva temple is now known as Kottarakara Ganapathy temple.
Ganapathy is the leader of the Ganas, i.e., the leader of groups, tribes, race, army, escorts, and hence Lord Siva’s son is described as the supreme leader (Vinayaka). He is also known as Vigneswara — Lord of all obstacles. These names clearly show that He is a master of all Circumstances.
Ganapathy is represented as yellow skinned, short with a big round belly, elephant headed with one trunk, four arms, large ears, bright shining eyes.
There are multiple versions about the origin of Lord Vinayaka. According to the Varahapurana, once upon a time the Devas approached Lord Siva and submitted before him the need of a baby who can do away with all obstacles. With the consent of Parvathy devi, Siva agreed to the proposal. Devi become pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful baby. The ladies of Devalokam gathered around him. Keeping in mind the character of the ladies Parvathy blessed her child with these words: “May your beauty change to that of a tusker headed body with a big belly.” Her desire was fulfilled. But Lord Siva, though unhappy, named him Ganesa and he blessed Ganesha saying, “Your position will be above all Ganas. All gods will acknowledge the prominence of Ganesa, and those who are not ready to worship you will fall into deep waters.”
The Skandapurana says that Ganapathy was formed from the dirt collected from the body of Goddess Parvathy. Devi created an extraordinary elephant-headed creature with four arms and deputed him to safeguard the entrance towards the Chandraprathishta, which was being performed in heaven.
According to the Padmapurana, Parvathy, like all of God’s creations, had the desire to give birth to a son who would be the embodiment of all virtue. For this she prayed to God Vishnu who appeared before her. He granted her wish by taking birth in her womb. The son thus born to Parvathy is Ganapathy.
