Sri Mahadevar Athisaya Vinayakar Temple-Keralapuram

This temple is one of its kinds. A very powerful and extremely rare lord Ganesh’s temple exists for many centuries in Keralapuram near Nagarcoil Dist. in Tamil Nadu.  ‘Adisiya Vinayakar Koyil’ literally translates to ‘Miracle Ganesha Temple’.  Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is known by many names. Vinayaka is one of his several names. ''Vinayaka'' symbolizes the qualities of a true leader in all aspects. "Viyate Nayake Iti Vinayaka" meaning, He is a master unto Himself. Lord Vinayakar’s idol changes its color to black and white once in every six months. During Utharayan (March-June), the idol is black in color, and in Dakshiyana (July-Feb) idol turns to white.  Hence this temple came to be known as ‘’Miracle Ganesh Temple.

The first glance of the temple will speak of neighboring state (Kerala’s) influence. There are no exuberant temple towers that we usually find in other Tamil Nadu Temples.  If not for the Temple nameplate, one cannot recognize that this is the famous ancient temple. Once entered the temple, one can find a huge yard with deep-rooted trees, a small dome and a sculpture of lord Shiva and Parvathi on it. One can also find a whole lot of Nagaraja idols, and each idol has a unique face to it. There are many idols; the temple is located in a pristine environment, and the whole place echoes simplicity! 

             

There are two temples inside the temple complex one for lord Shiva and another is for lord Ganesha. Lord Shiva here is known as Mahadevar. It is believed that the temple was built in 1317. The idols were established long before the temple was built!  Although, it is primarily a Shiva temple, one can clearly see the Vishnava’s influence in this temple. Those days Vishnava’s dominance was high and it reflects thru' Vishnava signs throughout the temple. Lord Ganesh is very famous in this part of the state. This temple was renovated many times over the centuries and this information is available in the temples scriptures. There are beautiful paintings drawn on the walls inside the temple. Once we pass by a huge tree under it is a snake carved out of granite stone, we head to Adisiya Vinayakar Temple. This temple has a long passage and walls are adorned with magnificent paintings. The sacred sanctum has an iron grid sliding door. The sacred sanctum is not an enclosed chamber, as the lord is placed outside, and under the huge banyan tree.

During Dakshinayana

During Uttharayana

Present state. The face has turned white, while the other parts are still in black color 

The idol here changes its color every six months. There is an interesting story behind this idol. The king, who ruled Keralapuram, went for a pilgrimage to Rameshwaram, a famous shivite temple facing Bay of Bengal. A Ganesh idol is washed over while the king and his men were washing their legs at the Rameshwaram beach. The king then gifts it to his Rameshwaram counterpart ‘’Sethu Mannan’’.  Sethu Mannan was overwhelmed by the love and affection, however he returns the gift back to the Keralapuram King. It was his opinion and belief that the finder should have it and it was the right thing to do. Along with the idol, the Rameshwaram King gifts another Huge Emerald Idol. However, the Mogul later looted the emerald idol during their invasion. They could not take the idol with them, it was stuck to the ground. So, the idol was left behind. Though, the temple was built in the 12^th century idols here are quite older than the temple. According to the temple priest, the idol is at least 2,300 years old!  The idol was not installed according to the agamana shastra; it is simply kept on the elevated platform. People offer their prayers every morning and in the evening. Abhishekam to the lord takes place every morning and in the evening! Hence the idol found at the Rameshwaram beach is worshiped here. 

It is believed that those who are looking for their soul mates, married couple wishing to have kids throng this temple. By breaking coconut, and offering rice dumplings to the lord, devotees believe their wishes will come true. Devotees also believe that the idol color changes every six months is due to god’s grace. There are many devotees come her just see the color change. The color of the idol changes to black and white every six months i.e. during utharayana (March-June) and dakshiyana (July-Feb). During Dakshiyana the color of the idol changes to white, and in utharayana it is black in color. There is another miracle associated with this temple. There is a well inside the temple complex and the color of the water too changes every six months. When the idol is white in color, the water changes to black and vice versa! Right now, the color of the water is black in color. Though, there is no ‘’fall season’’ in the tropical states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, however the key temple tree has a unique characteristic where leaves starts to fall during dakshiyana, and new leaves starts to sprout from march. This is not a typical behavior of a Banyan tree.   

Visiting this place is undoubtedly an unique experience!

May the lord Vinayaka bless us all with happiness, prosperity and health! 

Kurudumale Ganesha

This is has to be one of my favorite temple stories so far. This temple is very unique from the rest of the temple stories that we know. To begin with, its massive saligrama Ganesha Idol. The Ganesh Idol here is at least 12 feet long and 6 to 7 feet in width. This is a unique Lord Ganesha statue. This temple is located in Kurudumale in Mulabagalu taluk of Kolar district in Karnataka. The interesting fact about this temple is, that it is built of a single rock without any foundation.  The Ganesha idol here is considered to be very powerful. Many people start new jobs or new work only after taking the blessing of Lord Ganesha. There are no other saligrama Ganesha idol as big as this anywhere on this earth!

Lord Ganesh is one of the best-known and most widely worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. Ganesha is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles (Vighnesha, Vighneshvara), patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom. He is honored at the beginning of rituals and ceremonies and invoked as Patron of Letters during writing sessions.

This Ganesha Idol was established by the trinities (of hinduism) such as Bhrama-God of Creation,  Vishnu-God of Protection, and Shiva-God of destruction  in Satya Yuga to destroy the demon TRIPURASURA. Yuga is the name of an 'epoch' or 'era' within a cycle of four ages. These are the Satya Yuga (or Krita Yuga), the Treta Yuga, the Dvapara Yuga and finally the Kali Yuga.  We are in Kali yuga. Tripurasura was an asura(demon) who tormented people, saints , sages demigods, gods in Krita or Satya yoga. He who inhabited Tripura, a mythological triplet fortress made of iron, silver and gold constructed by Mayasura.  From a boon he had grown very powerful and gods could not destroy him. However his end would come from a bachelor who enters wedlock, yet lives a celibate life! All the gods came together formed  shakthis known as Siddhi and Buddhi (vruddhi in north India)  as Lord Ganesha's brides. Lord Ganesha married both Siddhi and buddhi in the presence of all, and later the shakthis turned into his weapons. Lord Ganesha holds these weapons in his hands, always. Meanwhile Tripurasura roams freely causing all the mayhem and chaos around the world. His end is by this Lord Ganesha in Kaliyuga!

As Hindu trinity established this idol, the place came to known as kotadri, and the hill in which it is located is known as ''Kootamale'.' However, over the years it became kurudumale, a very rude form to say. This saligrama Ganesha Idol is the epicenter of all positive energy. This energy is omnipresent, and indestructible. This energy can create any sort of miracle. This idol is being worshipped from past four yugas. Another speciality of this idol is no matter how far you stand and view, the idol only grows bigger and bigger! Something even eye physicians cannot give a conclusive explanation! This is the same idol lord Rama first worshipped in treta yuga before fighting Ravana. Rama emerges victorious and rescues his wife Sita, who was held captive by Ravana! In Dawapara yuga, Sri Krishna worshiped this Ganesha in order to get rid of shamantha kamaniya's curse. The spell is removed and Krishna is absolved of his curse. In fact, this is the same temple where Pandavas visited before they went to war with Kuravas, the former emerge victorious and regains their kingdom! In Kaliyuga, Krishna Devaraya of vijayanagara dynasty understood its importance after lord ganesh show up in his dreams and requested a temple  to be built around the idol with meticulous details depicting its importance. Today, one can find fine stone carvings etched on the temple pillars depicting the stories of Lord Rama, and Lord Krishna.

The basic belief here is anyone who comes to this temple and worship with clean heart before beginning any work; he is sure to taste success in all his endeavors! Not only it has rich mythological history to it, even today one can find a lot of paranormal activities in and around the temple. Koundanya Munni one of the sapta Rushis comes every day to this temple, and sings in praise of lord Ganesha! It is believed that Koundanya rushi is still residing in the nearby caves. These caves are accessible to public! This Ganesh is  worshiped by koundanya rushi every day at midnight. Not only Koundaniya munni but also other gods and demigods visit this place every night. People here have reported many tiny lights hovering above, and also have heard a lot of varieties of music, prayers.  ''OM'' is resonated very loudly in the night and no one knows the sources of it. Also, one can find a lot of yagna kundalam! This place is very sacred. Anyone who occupies temple property illegally or indulge in money laundering, death be upon him. During Ratha sapthami, many lights travel from the nearby mountain towards the temple. These lights take a round about and travel back to the mountain. This happens every year and there are many witnesses to this phenomenon! You may catch a glimpse of it, if you are lucky enough.

This is a favorite temple for politicians, many politicians come here to get Ganesha's blessing. All their prayers have been answered. This place is closer to Bangalore.