- Ganesh
Ganapathy Temple
- Kochi,Kerala
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Overview
The town of North Kalamassery in Ernakulam district of Kerala, India houses a popular Ganesha temple. The primary deity of this temple is Lord Ganapathi, while other Gods including Subramanian, the Navagrahas, Shiva, Parvathi, Rama also graces from the temple.
About the Temple
The temple is relatively a simple structure covering an area of around 5,000 square feet (460 m2 ). There are no outer walls or prakaras in the temple. The temple originally houses shrines of Ganapathy and Subramanian (along with the Navagrahas) that are found within two concrete buildings beside one another and faces the direction west. One shall also find staircase in between these two structures which leads to the upper level which built more recently. The upper level houses several shrines of other Gods and Goddesses. These shrines are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Rama, Sri Dakshinamurthi and Sri Chandikeshwara. A Peepal tree is in the front of the Ganapathy shrine. The temple complex encompasses a ground at the temple’s back. The busy Eloor-Kalamassery road runs just in front of the temple, hardly 30 feet of space in between them. Thus the deity got a nickname and I called the 'Road-side Ganapathy'.
Legend and Stories
The temple was built in back in 1980 by late Mr. N Ragunatha Menon from Kalamaserry, who was both religious as well as influential. Go more than a couple of decades, the temple was just a basic concrete structure housing the shrines of Lord Ganapathy, Subramanian and the Navagrahas. In the year 2000, Mr.Menon proposed to build additional shrines for other Gods and Goddesses. He also wanted to renovate the temple with more traditional style of temple architecture. However, Mr. Menon died the subsequent year, after which the management of the temple passed onto his children. They undertook renovation of the temple as per their father’s wish, and thereby also formed the Mahaganapathy Temple Trust do managing the day to day activities of the temple. Presently, the temple is popular place of worship for the Hindus living in and around the town of Kalamassery. A number of festivals are celebrated in this temple throughout the year.
Festivals
The temple has been regularly conducting a larger scaled Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathy Havana and Aanayoottu annually on the first day of the Karkkidakom month of the malayalam calendar for almost 20 consecutive years now. Gajapooja (pooja for elephant) is also conducted once in four years, as the elephant is considered the divine manifestation of Lord Ganapathi himself.
How To Reach Ernakulam
Airport
The Ernakulam airport is the nearest to which regular flights are available from other major cities of the country.
Railways
Regular trains are available from many prominent cities of the country to the city of Ernakulam, Kerala.
Road
Ernakulam is well connected to several major cities of the country through regular bus services.
Temple Address
Ganapathy Temple,
FACT Kalamassery Rd, North Kalamassery,
Kochi, Ernakulam District, Kerala, Pincode – 683104.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- Salvation
- Wealth
- Relief from diseases
- Purchase of vehicles
- Gain Knowledge
Shlokas
Vakratunda Mahakaaya Suryakoti Samaprabha Nirvighnam Kuru Mey Deva Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada
Meaning -I pray to thee O Lord, who has a curved trunk and a strong body, the shine of a million suns, to remove all the hurdles that may block me from all the tasks I intend to perform.
Agajaanana Padmaarkam Gajaananam Aharnisham Anekadantham Bhaktaanaam Ekadantam Upaasmahey
Meaning -The sun to Mother Parvati's lotus face, I worship Lord Ganesh, with the elephant face, the one who grants a lot of wishes, the one with the single tusk, I salute thee to grant my wish.
Gajaananam Bhoota Ganaadhi Sevitam Kapitta Jamboophaala Saara Bhakshitam Umaasutam Shoka Vinaasha Kaaranam Namaami Vighneswara Paada Pankajam
Meaning -Oh elephant-faced Lord, who is served by all the Ganas, who consumes the essence of Kapitta and Jamboophala, His favourite fruits, who is Uma's son, who destroys the gloom of His devotees, who handles hurdles, we worship your lotus feet.
Tatpurushaaya Vidmahe Vakratundaaya Dheemahe Tanno Danthihi Prachodayaat
Meaning -We meditate on the great power, we call upon the single tusked Ganesh, who grants wishes.
Timings
The temple is open from 6 A.M to 9 P.M