Famous Ganesh temples of Kerala

In Kerala, we have very few temples with Ganapathi as the main deity. The Ganapati specific temple culture is very low in Kerala. However, every single temple in Kerala has a shrine for Ganapati. Its mandatory to do Ganapati Homam before the start of any Hindu rituals in Kerala. In fact, even for public projects like laying new roads or laying a foundation of metro station or airport etc, it's very common to conduct a Ganapati Homam and Bhoomi Pooja. Beyond that, Kerala has very less Ganapati shrines. However, I will be listing some famous Ganapathi temples in Kerala.

1.Kottarakkara Ganapati Temple: The most celebrated Ganapati temple in Kerala could be Kottarakkara Ganapati temple. This is located in Kottarakkara in Kollam District. Actually, its a Shiva temple with the lord as the main deity while Ganapati is actually a sub-deity. But over a period of time, Ganapati worship became so popular that today its famous across Kerala for it. Its one of the few Ganapati temple that the celebrated Master carpenter- Perumthachan installed by himself and one of the very few temples in Kerala that have a wooden idol. The deity here is in form of Baby Ganapathi who constantly craves for sweets. So as the temple is extraordinary famous for its tasty Unniappam which is constantly cooked right in front of the deity and continuously served. Belief is that Baby Ganapati never stops eating other than during his bathing and sleeping hours. So as the cooking of Unniappams is constant as long as the Sanctum Sanctorum (Sreekovil/Garbha Griha) is kept open. And the Unniappam of this temple, which is the key Prasadam (holy offerings) is the most tastiest one, ever made in Kerala.

2.  Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple:The most famous Ganapathi temple in Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, right next to famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple. The temple is unique as its owned by Indian Army and one of the few major temples under Military in Kerala. This is primarily because of its unique history as this temple was established by the Royal Nair Brigade (Nair Pattalam) of Travancore. For Nair Army of Travancore, Ganapathi was their protecting deity. Its believed that there was an evil Yakshi who constantly attacked Nair Soldiers posted in one of the sentry positions of Padmanabhapuram Fort near to a Yakshi kavu (Groves of Yakshi). Once a pious Nair officer was posted there and as usual, Yakshi attacked him at night. That time, he jumped into a nearby pond and got a statue of Ganapati. Seeing this idol, the Yakshi retreated and never returned. Ever since that, this Ganapathi became the protecting lord of Nair Army and later they shifted the idol to a Bastion within the Trivandrum Fort where Nair Soldiers rested. A temple was erected in this place and today its part of the East Fort and close to Sree Padmanabha temple.

As Travancore Army was merged into Madras Regiment of Indian Army, this temple came under Madras Regiment’s Pangode Battalion in Trivandrum. The Senior Colonel of Madras Regiment is the Administrative head of the temple, supported by Hindu veterans and officials of Pangode Military Station. It's so famous in Kerala, that everyone visiting Trivandrum normally breaks a coconut in front of the deity as its located close to the central street.

3. Edapally Ganapati Temple- Kochi: This Ganapathi Shrine is located inside Edapally Palace located in Cochin City, so close to much popular St.George’s Church and Lulu Mall. This temple is a bit unique as it's not a proper temple, rather a small shrine located in the courtyard of Royal Palace which is a residential facility of members of Edapally Royal family. So as the shrine is open to outsiders only for few hours in the morning (5:30 AM to 7:30 AM). The temple is famous for its intense history. Edapally Ganapathi is the family deity of Brahmin Raja of Edapally who was the arch-rival of Kochi Maharajas. Edapally Kings claimed the mainland Ernakulam belonged to them, which Kochi Maharajas refused and the area was annexed to Kochi. As being Brahmins, Kochi Maharajas never harmed the royal family physically, but used all ways to harass them constantly. Edapally Ganapathi was regarded as Protecting Deity of Ernakulam city for centuries. However due to intense rivalry between Edapally and Kochi, Kochi Maharaja declared Lord Shiva of Ernakulam Temple as the protecting deity of the city (Deshanathan) and reduced the status of Edapally Ganapathy in 16th century which provoked Edapally who became allies of Zamorin and made him invade Kochi when ended up in First War of Kochi, that cemented Portuguese-Kochi relationship. With Portuguese support, Kochi took its revenge against Edapally, by reducing it to an enclave, just around the palace area. Though the political context of Edapally got diminished, the shrine of Ganapathi became popular locally as a powerful deity.

4. Malliyoor Ganapathi Temple: One of the ancient Ganapathi temples in Kerala, located in Kottayam, this temple became rose to fame after its chief priest- Malliyoor Brahmasree Shankaran Namboothiri performed 2500 Bhagavatha Saptahams, thus effectively respected around Kerala as Bhagavatha Hamsam. Due to his intense devotion in Lord Krishna through constantly propagating the Holy Srimad Bhagavatham, Krishna himself manifested as a Baby and had the divine presence on laps of his family god- Malliyoor Ganapati. The presence of Vaishnava Ganapathi (Lord Ganapathi playing with Krishna) has caught the spiritual attention of Malayali community and this temple became popular post-1990s. The temple ground is still famous for various Bhagavatha Sapthahams in memory of late Bhagavatha Hamasam and scholars all over India visit this temple for the holy recital of Srimad Bhagavatham.

5. Sooryakaladi Mana Ganapathi-Kottayam: Soorya Kaladi Mana doesn’t need an introduction among Malayalees. Its the most celebrated Tantric institution in Kerala and the family is reputed for performing millions of tantric yajnas, homas, and other sacrificial rites. The belief is that, a Nampoothiri in order to take revenge against an evil Yakshi who devoured his father prayed to Lord Surya Deva who blessed him with a powerful Mantrika text thus effectively turning him a powerful tantric, enough to tame the Yakshi. Upon taming the yakshi, she cursed that the Nampoothiri will die within 41 days which happened accordingly. However, prior to his death, he asked all his members of the family to learn the text which Sun God has given and effectively made his family, a tantric house. With constant performances of various positive rites, meant for social good, Ganapati himself appeared before the sacrificial altar as a baby elephant to take the holy Ahivsu (Sacrificial offerings) and the Nampoothiri tantric gave a roasted coconut from the sacrificial altar to the lord, thus appeasing him, who agreed to stay in front of the yajnashala forever as guardian lord. Today, for many Malayalees, a visit to Sooryakaladi Mana is regarded as accomplishing his wish forever due to the presence of Ganapathi right in front o the altar. Its believed, Ganapathi always stands right next to the Great Tantrik of the family to support him.

 6. Madhur Madanantheshwara Siddhi Vinayakan temple- Kasargodu: The most celebrated Ganapathi temple of Malabar region. This is a classic temple of Kerala-Tulu mixture. Like Kottarakkara, the main deity of this temple is Lord Shiva as Madhureswaran. A devoted tulu boy, once drew a mural of Ganapathy and offered him Thirmadhuram and Unniappams with intense devotion. Soon after that, the mural kept on growing out of proportion and emerged as an idol which made the temple extremely popular Ganapathi temple. The temple is designed as a Gajamukhamandapam (Elephant faced) which is unique in nature with a 3 tier roofing and intense mix of Tulu-Kerala architecture. Being located in rural interiors of Kumbale village with river Madhuvahini flowing on side of the temple, it offers a perfect spiritual atmosphere to get absorbed into the tranquility in the Country of God. Om Gan Ganapatay Namah