Located in Kottayam, Kerala, Malliyoor Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Here, in Malliyoor Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as Vaishnava Ganapathy, with a young Sree Krishna seated on the lap of Lord Ganesha. The temple is believed to have been established long before the rule of the Perumals. Some pre-Perumal historical records have references to the importance of this place of worship.

Location Kerala, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram

Legend

According to the legends, the  temple was jointly administrated by two families, the Aryappally mana and Vadakkedam Mana. These two families united to form the Malliyoor family. But the family soon fell into bad times. Even though, renovation works were done at different stages for the temple, the works always got disrupted. It all changed with the then priest Bhagavatha Hamsam Brahmasree Malliyoor Shankaran Namboothiri starting to recite 'Sree Maha Bhagavatham in front of Ganesha and offering to his Lord. His intense prayer and the devotion resulted in the infusion of the spirit of Mahavishnu into the idol of Ganesha. That is why the deity here is termed as Vaishnava Ganapathy.

Architecture

The temple is built as per traditional Kerala architecture, but currently a major renovation work is underway to elevate the temple to the status of a Mahakshetram. A Vishnu Maheswara Temple is being constructed beside the main structure now, with chuttambalam, thidappally and mulayara.

Culture

The culture of Kottayam is influenced mainly by the large Syrian Christian community. But the region is also noted for its rich contributions to the socio-literary pantheon of the State. Kottayam has given birth to authors ranging from Kunchan Nambiar to Arundhati Roy. It is also home to many publishing houses and media houses.

Darsan Info

The deity here is conceptualized as Beeja Ganapathy - the trunk twisted rightwards (valampiri) carries a lime on its tip, hands hold axe, rope, horn and a laddoo can. 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.

Darsan Dresscode

Traditional dress is allowed. Devotees are not allowed to enter the temple wearing shirt, banyan, lungi, chapels etc.

Temple Rituals

Aarattu is the highlight of the eight-day-long Thiruvutsavam, which concludes on the Vishu day. A colourful procession complete with caparisoned elephants is taken out to Subramanya Swami temple at Eravimangalam, a kilometer away from the temple. During the Thiruvutsavam festival devotees can offer Utsava Bali and Sribhuta Bali for 6 days at a stretch.

Special Rituals

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays are auspicious days.

Additional Info


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