Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathi Kshethram
Encyclopedia
Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathy Kshethram is a pilgrim centre in South India
. It is centuries old, and the most important Maha Ganapathi Temple in Kerala. Non-Hindus are also permitted in the temple. This temple is the family of Lord Siva. This Ganapati
temple is located in Kottarakkara
which is 25 km from Kollam
.
, Parvati Devi
, Sree Maha Ganapati
, Sree Murukan
, Sree Ayyappan, and Nagaraja
. Even though main deity is Parama Shiva
, the main priority is given to Sree Maha Ganapati. The main offerings of the temple are Unni Appam
Udayasthamanapooja, Mahaganapathi homam and Pushpanjali
.
Morning-04:00 Palliyunathal
04:30 Nadathurakkal
04.40 Nirmalyam
04:50 Abhishekam
05.30 Ashtadravya Ganapathyhomam
06.00 Usha:Pooja
07.00 Ethritheu Pooja
07.15 Sreebali
09.00 Pantheeradi Pooja
10:00 Navaka Pooja
10.30 Ucha Pooja
11:00 Uchasreebali
11:30 Nadayadappu
Evening-5:00 Nadathurappu
6:30 Deeparadhana
7:30 Athazhappoja
7:45 Athazha Sreebali
8:00 Nadayadappu.
Ganapathy is the leader of the Ganas ie, the leader of groups, tribes, race, army, escorts, and hence Lord Siva’s first 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
Yellow skinned, short with a big round belly, elephant headed with one trunk, four arms, large ears, bright shining eyes – this is how Ganapathy is represented.
The origin of Ganapathy
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 young baby. The ladies of Devalokam gathered around the baby .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.
As per the Matsyapurana, Lord Siva had the habit of peeping while Goddess Parvathy had her oil bath. On one occasion Devi come across the peeping Siva. Though her husband, she did not like this action of his. Parvathy thus created a figure out of the dirt she had washed away from her body and give breathe to it by sprinkling water from theGanges. As usual Siva tried to enter the bathing place of Parvathy. The guard didn’t allow him in. Furious, Siva cut the guard’s throat. Fearing Parvathy’s anger, Siva swiftly went out. He saw an elephant there, cut down its head and fixed it to the body of Parvathy’s creation. Thus was born Parvathy’s son, the elephant headed Ganapathy.
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.
The Uthararamayana, portrays Siva and Parvathy as a couple who were interested in novel ways of sexual intercourse. One day they accepted the posture of an elephant, and thus was born the elephant headed Ganapathy.
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
. It is centuries old, and the most important Maha Ganapathi Temple in Kerala. Non-Hindus are also permitted in the temple. This temple is the family of Lord Siva. This Ganapati
Ganesha
Ganesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
temple is located in Kottarakkara
Kottarakkara
Kottarakkara , also transliterated as Kottarakara, is a town and taluk in Kollam District , in Kerala state, India. The town is close to the Kollam port which has a rich history linked to the early medieval period as well as a reputation for being an important commercial, industrial and trading...
which is 25 km from Kollam
Kollam
Kollam , often anglicized as ', is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. The city lies on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake on the Arabian sea coast and is situated about north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram...
.
Temple
The deities of this temple are Parama ShivaShiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
, Parvati Devi
Parvati
Parvati is a Hindu goddess. Parvati is Shakti, the wife of Shiva and the gentle aspect of Mahadevi, the Great Goddess...
, Sree Maha Ganapati
Ganesha
Ganesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
, Sree Murukan
Murugan
Murugan also called Kartikeya, Skanda and Subrahmanya, is a popular Hindu deity especially among Tamil Hindus, worshipped primarily in areas with Tamil influences, especially South India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius and Reunion Island. His six most important shrines in India are the...
, Sree Ayyappan, and Nagaraja
Nagaraja
Nagaraja is a Sanskrit word from naga and raj meaning King of Snakes. It is applied to three main deities, Anantha , Takshak, and Vasuki. Anantha, Vasuki and Takshak are brothers, children of Kashyap and Kadru, who are the parents of all snakes...
. Even though main deity is Parama Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
, the main priority is given to Sree Maha Ganapati. The main offerings of the temple are Unni Appam
Unni Appam
Unni appam is a small round sweet rice cake made from rice, Jaggery, plantain, Ghee and other ingredients. It is a popular snack in Kerala and is a main offering to Lord Ganapathi. In Malayalam, unni means small and 'appam means rice cake....
Udayasthamanapooja, Mahaganapathi homam and Pushpanjali
Pushpanjali
Pushpanjali is an offering of flowers to Indian Gods. In Sanskrit, pushpam means "flower" and anjali means "offering with folded hands". So Pushpanjali means offering of flowers with folded hands....
.
Pooja Schedule
Pooja ScheduleMorning-04:00 Palliyunathal
04:30 Nadathurakkal
04.40 Nirmalyam
04:50 Abhishekam
05.30 Ashtadravya Ganapathyhomam
06.00 Usha:Pooja
07.00 Ethritheu Pooja
07.15 Sreebali
09.00 Pantheeradi Pooja
10:00 Navaka Pooja
10.30 Ucha Pooja
11:00 Uchasreebali
11:30 Nadayadappu
Evening-5:00 Nadathurappu
6:30 Deeparadhana
7:30 Athazhappoja
7:45 Athazha Sreebali
8:00 Nadayadappu.
About Shri Ganapthy
Who is Ganapathy?Ganapathy is the leader of the Ganas ie, the leader of groups, tribes, race, army, escorts, and hence Lord Siva’s first 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
Yellow skinned, short with a big round belly, elephant headed with one trunk, four arms, large ears, bright shining eyes – this is how Ganapathy is represented.
The origin of Ganapathy
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 young baby. The ladies of Devalokam gathered around the baby .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.
As per the Matsyapurana, Lord Siva had the habit of peeping while Goddess Parvathy had her oil bath. On one occasion Devi come across the peeping Siva. Though her husband, she did not like this action of his. Parvathy thus created a figure out of the dirt she had washed away from her body and give breathe to it by sprinkling water from theGanges. As usual Siva tried to enter the bathing place of Parvathy. The guard didn’t allow him in. Furious, Siva cut the guard’s throat. Fearing Parvathy’s anger, Siva swiftly went out. He saw an elephant there, cut down its head and fixed it to the body of Parvathy’s creation. Thus was born Parvathy’s son, the elephant headed Ganapathy.
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.
The Uthararamayana, portrays Siva and Parvathy as a couple who were interested in novel ways of sexual intercourse. One day they accepted the posture of an elephant, and thus was born the elephant headed Ganapathy.