Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple

Introduction to Lakshmi Ganapati Temple

Ganesha is an important deity in Hinduism. All the other Hindu gods worship him as he is supreme. People start their ventures only after worshipping Ganesha to achieve success. Lakshmi Ganapati Temple is in Bikkavolu, East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Lakshmi Ganapati Temple is also known as Sri Golingeswara Swami Temple and Siddhi Vinayaka Temple.

Legend of the Lakshmi Ganapati Temple

There are some interesting legends behind the Lakshmi Ganapati Temple. One legend says a farmer in the field found the Swayambu idol while plowing the land long ago. So, the Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple was constructed in the same place.

According to another legend, in the 19th century, the deity appeared in a devotee's dream and revealed his presence. The devotee shared his dream with the villagers, and they dug the place. It is said that the Ganesha idol became bigger after it was excavated from the ground.

It is also said that in 1988, the priest Golapalli Chalapati Rao performed Laksha Patri Pooja and Ganapati Homam on every Shukla Chaviti day. He continued it for ten years. Later, his family members continued the Pooja.

Even today, one can see the miraculous phenomenon of Ganesha's idol growing by 2-3 centimeters yearly. Another fascinating fact is that water comes out from the bottom of the left leg of Ganesha.

Some centuries ago, Bikkavolu was known as Birudavolu. It was named after its ruler, King Gunaga Vijayaditya III, who belonged to the Turpu Chalukya Vamsam. King Gunaga Vijayaditya used to offer prayers to Vijayanand Ganapati before and after a battle. He believed that this helped him win many battles. During the Chalukya period, Lakshmi Ganapati Temple received great royal patronage.

The Architecture of the Lakshmi Ganapati Temple

Chalukya Kings of the eastern region built the temple between 849-892 AD. The inscriptions inside the temple provide evidence of its age. The temple features a Dravidian style of architecture. The Lakshmi Ganapati Temple has a beautiful Shiva lingam and 33 lines of Shasanam on the door jambs. The striking sanctum sanctorum, the Antaralas (passages), the Mukha Mandap (main hall), and other Mandaps add beauty to the temple.

The main deity, Vijayanand Ganapati, graces his devotees from the sanctum. The idol is made of monolithic stone. The height of the idol is 11 feet. The unique feature of the Idol is that the deity's trunk is turned towards the right. This Idol is Swayambhu (self-manifested). It is the biggest statue in the history of Eastern Chalukya sculpture. Navagraha idols, Chandrasekara, Raja Rajeshwari Devi, Nandi Parvati, Golingeswara, Veerabhadra, and Subrahmanyeswara, are in the courtyard.

Festivals in the Lakshmi Ganapati Temple

The Lakshmi Ganapati Temple celebrates Ganapati Navratri with great pomp. Subramanya festivals are also organized every year, along with Ganesh Navaratri.

Devotees take part in a 10-day grand Ganesha Chaturthi celebration at the temple. The temple organizes Ganapati Homam and Laksha Patri Pooja every year on Chaturthi before the full moon day in Bhadrapada (September-October) month.

Benefit of Worshipping at Lakshmi Ganapati Temple

People believe worshipping Ganesha at Lakshmi Ganapati Temple will remove all their sins. They firmly believe that if they offer their dedicated prayers in the ears of Ganesha, he will hear and fulfill their wishes.

There is a belief that the deity bestows prosperity on those who perform Ganapati Homam in the Lakshmi Ganapati Temple.