Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple

Introduction to the Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple

The Kottarakkara Sree Maha Ganapathy Kshethram, or Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple, is a famous temple in Kottarakkara, Kollam district, Kerala. It serves as a halting point for devotees from Thiruvananthapuram heading to Sabarimala. This is one of the most important Ganapathy temples in Kerala.

Legend of the Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple

According to legend, the master craftsman Perumthachan carved an idol of Ganesha from a jackfruit root. He offered Unniyappam to Ganesha first. Perumthachan asked permission from the chief priest of Pandinjattinkara temple to install the idol there. But the priest denied his request.

However, Perumthachan obtained permission from the priest of Kizhakkekara Shiva Temple (the former name of the Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple) and installed the idol there in the southeast direction. Perumthachan considered the temple as Kailas (the abode of Shiva), as the temple enshrines all the family members of Ganesha.

The Architecture of the Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple

The temple’s history dates back to the 16th century. One of the Travancore royal family members constructed the Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple. It underwent major renovations in the 18th and 20th centuries. Perumthachan contributed abundantly to complete the temple. It is one of the finest examples of traditional Kerala architecture.

The temple has a golden Dhwajasthambam. The sanctum (Sreekovil) is circular with a copper-covered conical roof. The sanctum is believed to have been built by the great saint Adi Shankaracharya. The idol of the primary deity, Shiva, faces the east direction. His consort, Parvati, known as Padinjattu Bhagavathi, is situated behind the sanctum facing west. Muruga faces the northwest, and Ayyappa (Sastha) faces the southwest. Nagayakshi and Nagaraja are installed in the Kannimoola (southwest corner).

Unni Appam is a special offering made to Ganesha at the Kottarakkara Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple, which is very famous. A 3-foot idol of Ganesha, carved in wood, with a small trunk and four arms, carrying a hook, coir, rice cake, and plantain fruit, is installed here.

He wears a rudraksha chain and a golden pendant on his forehead. There is an 18-foot-high bronze Deepa Sthambam (pillar of lamps) with five circular plates for holding the lamps in the temple.

Namaskara Mandapam is adjacent to the sanctum. It is a square-shaped pavilion where devotees offer their prayers. It has ornately carved wooden pillars. The Naalambalam is a circumambulatory passage surrounding the Sreekovil. Stunning carvings, each narrating different episodes from Hindu mythology, adorn the Nalambalam.

Even though Shiva is the presiding deity of the Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple, Ganesha is given utmost importance here.

The Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple premises often serve as a venue for Kathakali performances, reinforcing its cultural significance. The Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple is under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Festivals in the Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple

Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated yearly on Shukla Chaturthi of Bhadrapada month, which falls between August and September. The temple celebrates Vinayaka Chaturthi on a grand scale with Maha Ganapathy Homam using 1008 coconuts. Gaja Pooja, Sarvaiswarya Pooja, and Anna Daanam are the major ceremonies on Vinayaka Chaturthi.

The Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple celebrates an annual festival called the Kottarakkara Utsavam in the Malayalam month Medam (April-May) every year. It attracts thousands of devotees across the state. During the day, various cultural programs and religious rituals are performed.

Thiruvathira, Shivratri, Mandalachirappu, Ayilyam-Makam, Navaratri, Prathishtadinam (Consecration day), Thai Poosam and Vishu are other major festivals celebrated at the temple.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple

Visiting the temple and worshipping the deity is believed to help remove obstacles from one's life and bring good fortune.