Kottarakara Ganapathy Temple is one of the renowned sanctuaries in south India with incredible authentic significance. There are numerous legends about Kottarakara Ganapathy. As a matter of fact, the principle ‘Prathistha'(Idol) is Lord Siva, yet Ganapathy is popular here. The specific name of the sanctuary was Kizhakkekara Siva Kshethram. The fundamental god is, as a matter of fact, Lord Siva himself – Siva confronting toward the east. Truth be told Ganapathy is just a minor god here. Yet, the sanctuary today is well known as a Ganapathy sanctuary rather than a Siva sanctuary.
The legend behind this is that Kizhakkekara sanctuary was the property of two Nampoothiri houses – Akavoor and Oomanpally. Padinjattinkara Siva sanctuary had a place with the regal place of Elayidathu.
At some point, before dawn, customs were occurring for the sanctification of Siva at the Pandinjattinkara sanctuary, crafted by which was overseen by the amazing Uliyannor Perumthachan. Outside the sanctuary, while paying attention to the mantras, he began etching a piece of the jackfruit tree. Incredibly, he observed that it was the type of ‘Ganapathy’ that was coming to fruition. Accordingly, he requested that the central cleric revere ‘Ganapathy’ likewise after the sanctification of Siva. The central minister denied it. “This is a Siva sanctuary. Ganapathy can’t be sanctified here.”
Perumthachan, frantic, strolled towards the east and in this way arrived at Kizhakkekkara Siva sanctuary where the sanctuary minister was getting ready contributions for the ruler Unniyappam. Perumthachan asked him “Can you not purify this Ganapathy here ?”. The minister concurred. Perumthachan saw the spot Siva pointing toward the east, before that it is Ganga, Parvathy turned towards the west. Southwest there is Sastha and northwest Subrahmanya. In the event that Ganapathy also is introduced, the Siva family will be finished. The spot will be, as a matter of fact, Kailas itself. In this way, Ganapathy was introduced southeast by Perumthachan.
Perumthachan then, at that point, asked the cleric ” Unni Ganapathy should be ravenous. What is the conciliatory food that you have arranged?”. “Unniyappam” was the answer. On a leaf, the minister put six to seven Unniyappams strung together.
Perumthachan, with everything that is in him dedicated his first contributions to Koottappam. Koottappam is as yet known to be the most needed nivedhyam for Kottarakara Ganapathy. After the contributions, Perumthachan lovingly proclaimed “However father is the primary diety, the child will be significantly more well known”.
His words validated. Kizhakkekkara Siva sanctuary is presently known as Kottarakara Ganapathy sanctuary.
Devoted to Lord Ganesha, Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple is a famous sanctum situated at Kottarakkara in the Kollam locale. This sanctuary is well known for Unniappam, which is the fundamental proposing to Lord Ganesha in this sanctum. The kitchen where this dish is arranged before the Ganapathy sanctum. The 3-feet high icon of the divinity has four hands conveying Pasa, Modakam, Kadalippazham, and Ankusa. The sanctuary likewise has verifiable significance. Despite the fact that the fundamental icon of the sanctuary is Lord Shiva, the sanctuary is famous with the name of Lord Ganesha. Truth be told, the genuine name of this sanctuary was Kizhakkekara Siva Kshethram.
The icon of Mahaganapthy in the Kottarakara Ganapathy Temple was cut and revered by the notable artist, Perumthachan. Kottarakara Ganapathy Temple is a Maha Kshetra with a brilliant banner pole. It has the icons of both Shiva and Parvathy. Ruler Shiva is looking towards the east while Sree Parvathy is pointing toward the west yet both are in a similar round formed sreekovil. The tapered top of the sreekovil is covered utilizing copper. The Ganapathy icon of the sanctuary is pointing toward the south. There is likewise a lake before this sanctum. Kottarakara Ganapathy Temple puts together a 11-day yearly celebration in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May). The celebration closes with brilliant Aarattu on the Thiruvathira day.
The sub-divinities of the sanctuary are Subhramanya, Sastha and Naga Devathas. The renowned fine art of Kerala, Kathakali took its shape at this sanctuary in the seventeenth century. The closest rail route station Kollam is around 26 kilometers from this sanctuary. Pioneers need to cover around 76 kilometers from the Thiruvananthapuram air terminal to arrive at Kottarakara Ganpathy Temple. Check the appealing traveler occasion bundles of Tour My India on the off chance that you wish to visit the well known sanctuaries in Kerala.
Temple Timings
Morning
04:00 AM Palliyunarthal
04:30 AM Nadathurappu
04.40 AM Nirmalyam
04:50 AM Abhishekam
05.30 AM Ashtadravya Ganapathihomam
06.00 AM Usha Pooja
07.00 AM Ethritheu Pooja
07.15 AM Sreebali
09.00 AM Pantheeradi Pooja
10:00 AM Navaka Pooja
10.30 AM Ucha Pooja
11:00 AM Uchasreebali
11:30 AM Nadayadappu
Evening
5:00 PM Nadathurakkal
6:30 PM Deeparadhana
7:30 PM Athazha Pooja
7:45 PM Athazha Sreebali