MALLIYOOR SREE MAHAGANAPATHY TEMPLE

The Malliyoor Sree MahaGanapathy Temple in Kottayam district, Kerala is a noted pilgrim centre in kerala. Peopoles from all over India and abroad is frequently visiting this temple for kind worship from great lord Ganesh sub named VIGNESHWAR. Ganesha, the first son of Siva and Parvathy, enjoys prime place among all the gods in the Hindu pantheon. He is Parabrahma incarnate, the God of Wisdom and Learning, the Remover of all Obstacles and is worshipped first, before all of any Poojas either in temples or at any Public places. The Malliyoor Sree MahaGanapathy Temple is in comparable in the conception of the presiding deity as Vaishnava Ganapathy, with a young Sree Krishna seated on the lap of Lord Ganesha. This unique and powerful infusion of the Vaishnava spirit in the Ganesha idol is the supreme achievement of the devoted penance of the much-revered main priest of the temple, Brahmasree Bhagavathahamsam Malliyoor Sankaran Nampoothiri. This is the first ever idol of temples in India. Today thousand of devotees flock to the feet of Vasihnava Ganapthy at Malliyoor seeking eternal salvation forms the bonds of Karama and solace from the evils of Kaliyug.

The Malliyoor Maha Ganapathy Temple is believed to have come into existence much before the Perumals exercised their sway over the southern peninsula. The pre-Perumal historical records have many references to the importance of this place of worshipThe record tells that a deeply devout and saintly Brahmin brought the idol over here from an unidentified and unspecified pilgrim centre some where in the North, centuries back. The family-deities Anthimahakalan and Yakshi worshipped by the once-powerful administrators of the temple also find a place inside the complex. The temple is jointly administrated by two families, the Aryappally mana and Vadakkedam Mana. In course of time the two families were merged to Malliyoor and the Temple when went through a period of misfortune and penury, the Malliyoor family bearing a brunt of it. But they worshipped Lord Ganapathy with unwavering devotion even when the temple was without a root over the sanctum sanctorum and the family having a hand to mouth extensive.For quite some time in the past there was no structure except the sanctum sanctorum. A thatched shed served as the temple kitchen. But when that was eaten away by the elements the priest concerned cooked rice in his home kitchen and brought it to the temple as offering. This arrangement too later crumbled along with the priest's own adobe. For about seven years after that, the temple was opened only once in a month to light the lamp and offer cooked rice to the deity.Once again a small house came up for the priest on a piece of plot donated by Brahmasri Kaithamattom Nampoothiri. Finally, the priest family managed to have a hand-to-mouth existence, but the temple continued to be in its dilapidated state.

In 1136 Brahmasri Sanakaran Nampoothiry's father passed away. In the following months of his penance and abstinence, the renovation of the temple was taken up under the supervision of 'Uamplakkad' Nampoothiry, as per the architectural specifications of Palakkad Krishna Varier. The sanctum sanctorum thus got a roof. A fairly wide structure came up around the sanctum sanctorum. Then the work languished. These frequent interruptions might be indicative of a divine message. Astrologers were called in. It was found that Durga was demanding a place for herself in the temple. So a separate abode was erected for Durga Devi. The pious Sankaran Nambpoothiri then prostrated himself at the feet of supreme deity of grace and bounty, Sree Guruvayoorappan. He started to recite the holy text, 'Sree Maha Bhagavatham' in front of Ganesha and offering to his Lord. His intense prayer and the total supplication resulted in the infusion of the spirit of Mahavishnu into the idol of Ganesha. It was the finding of astrology.The deity here is conceptualised as Beeja Ganapathi, the trunk twisted rightward and carries on its tip a lemon, the hands hold an axe, a rope, a horn and a laddu, cradling little Sree Krishna in his lap. The Vaishnava spirit permeates the entire atmosphere.

Vinayaka Chathurthy to be observed in Malliyoor temple

Vinayaka Chathurthy, the day on which Lord Vinayaka was created by Goddess Parvathy, is observed with great fervor and devotion at Malliyoor. Vinayaka Chathurthy falls on the fourth day of the waxing moon (suklapaksham) in the month of Bhadra/Chingam (August-September).This year the celebrations are on August 23. According to the Puranas, those who observe the moon that day will bring ill-luck upon themselves

Special poojas, observances and fasts are held at the Malliyoor temple on Vinayaka Chathurthy, to pay obeisance to the Lord of Wisdom and Grace.The festivities include special poojas like Ashtadravya Ganapathy Homam, Kazhcha Sreebali, Mahaprasadamoottu, the worship of elephants (Gaja Pooja) and music concerts.The Malliyoor Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple in Kottayam district, is the sacred abode of Lord Ganesha and also a prized destination of hundreds of pilgrims from all over the country. The Malliyoor Sree MahaGanapathy Temple is incomparable in the conception of the presiding deity as Vaishnava Ganapathy, with a young Sree Krishna seated on the lap of Lord Ganesha. This unique and powerful infusion of the Vaishnava spirit in the Ganesha idol is the supreme achievement of the devoted penance of the much-revered main priest of the temple, Brahmasree Bhagavathahamsam Malliyoor Sankaran Nampoothiri. Hundreds of devotees flock to the feet of Vaishnava Ganapathy at the Malliyoor Ganapathy temple seeking eternal salvation.