THEMALLIYOOR SREE MAHAGANAPATHY TEMPLE, KURUPPUNTHARA- KOTTAYAM DISTRICT, KERALA -COMPILED
Dear friends, The Malliyoor Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple is in comparable inthe conception of the presiding deity as Vaishnava Ganapathy, with ayoung Sree Krishna seated on the lap of Lord Ganesha. This unique andpowerful infusion of the Vaishnava spirit in the Ganesha idol is the supremeachievement of the devoted penance of the much-revered main priest of thetemple, late Brahmasree Bhagavathahamsam Malliyoor Sankaran Namboothiri. Today thousands of devotees flock to the feet of VasihnavaGanapthy at Malliyoor seeking eternal salvation form the bonds of Karama andsolace from the evils of Kaliyuga. My y posting today is about this temple near Kuruppunthara inthe Kottayam District of the Kerala state. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 16-08-2025 INTRODUCTION Malliyoor Maha Ganapati temple is situated near toKuruppanthara town, in Kottayam District of Kerala State, India. It belongs toSouth Kerala Division. The name of the Temple is synonymous with the name ofthe main priest, the sage-like, scholarly Sankaran Namboothiri. He hasdedicated his humble life to the worship of Lord Ganapathy and to the renderingand exposition of the Bhagavatham. Beeja Ganapathi became Vaishnava Ganapathi. The Malliyoor Sri Maha Ganapathi Temple is a magnificentshrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The temple's main attraction is its extraordinary idol of Lord Ganeshahaving Lord Krishna in his lap , which is distinct from traditional imagesfound in other temples. HISTORY The history of the temple dates back to the pre- Perumal eraof Kerala. It is believed that a saint from Malliyoor after a pilgrimage to thenorthern regions brought the Ganapati idol and installed about 1500 years ago. Though the temple had wealth and resources in those days, however, dueto the onslaught of time and climatic conditions, it went into eclipse,unattended and uncared for and it remained as a silent testimony to its richcultural heritage. It was late MalliyoorSankaran Namboothiri, who brought the much-needed reawakening to thetemple. Sankaran Namboothiri was an exponent of Srimad Bhagavatha puran and wascalled Bhagavathahamsam. He used to recite Srimad Bhagavatamevery day in the temple by keeping the Salagrama, the iconic symbol and reminder of the Lord Vishnu asParamatma. CONSEQANTLYVISHNU CHAITHANYA WAS EXPERIENCED IN THE TEMPLE. In fact, the continuous recitation of Shrimad Bhagavathamplacing the ‘Salagaram’ in the sanctum sanctorum of Ganesha changed the Beeja Ganapathy into Vaishnava Ganapathy. The deity ofGanesha placing Little Krishna on his lap and listening the Mahapuran is thesymbol of the flow of knowledge from a high consciousness to the youngergenerations. Today Malliyoor Maha Ganapati Temple is a major attractionto both Krishna and Ganesha devotees who arrive throughout the year insignificant numbers. CHIEF DEITY The Malliyoor Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple is in comparable inthe conception of the presiding deity as Vaishnava Ganapathy, with thechild Krishna seated on the lap of Lord Ganesha and hearing the Bhagavatham. The most impressive part of this temple is the idol. The idol of Ganesha is differentfrom what we usually see in temples. On the left lap of Ganesha sits littleKrishna, which symbolizes the unity of two sects – Vaishnavas (believers ofLord Vishnu) and Saiva’s (believers of Lord Shiva). The chief deity is called Vaishnava Ganapathy. The temple isin comparable in the conception of the presiding deity as Vaishnava Ganapathy,with a young Sree Krishna seated on the lap of Lord Ganesha. SUB DEITIES Vishnu - Shiva - Lakshmi --Krishna -Durga—Antimakala-Naga Devatas- BrahmaRakshas are also installed Brahma Rakshas at Malliyurtemple- The Atmas ofBrahmins who are experienced in Tantric cult is invoked as Brahma Rakshas. Thedeity of Brahma Rakshas is located on the southern side of the temple facingthe east. It is customaryto take permission from Brahma Rakshas before commencing the constructionactivities. Pal-payasam is main offering of Brahma Rakshas. POOJA TIMINGS Opening (Nirmalya Darsanam)5.00 AM Abishekam, Malar nivedyam5.30AM Mukkutti Pushpanjali8.00AM Ucha Pooja10.00AM Closing11.30 Evening Opening5.30 PM Deeparadhana6.30PM Atthazha Nivedyam7.00PM Closing8.00PM The above timings are subject to change on special days likefestival, lunar and solar eclipse days. IMPORTANT OFFERINGS OFTHE TEMPLE The omnipotent Lord Vigneswara offers solace and relief fromthe troubles and tribulations of life. Special offerings to the bountiful Lordat Malliyoor grant all wishes and provide solace from illness unfortunatelyfear. Mukkutti Pushpanjali-108 Mukkutti saplings in all theirfreshness, and without losing their roots and flowers are dipped in a mixtureof ghee, fruit and sugar (thrimadhuram) and offered to the deity to thechanting of Mahaganapathi Mantram 108 times. For immediate relief from troublesand instant solutions to problems, this is supposed to be very effective. Not more than five Pushpanjali areperformed a day, and one has to make advance booking for this Pooja. Ayiramkudam Jalabhishekam-Holy water from the temple welltaken in copper pot is poured on Ganesh Idol 1000 times, simultaneouslychanting mantras accompanied by conventional musical instruments. Thisabhishekam is only performed by the Thanthri. As this pooja is a time-consumingprocess only two numberscan be performed in a day and prior registration is needed to perform thispooja by devotees. The performing date will be intimated to them asand when the dates are allotted by thanthri. While performing this pooja the presence of the devotees is amust. Praying the lord Maha Ganapathy to confer grace on him to overcomeall hindrance. Thati Nivedyam-An offering of rice flour in varyingquantities (approximately 3kg, 6kg, 1 2kg), is made to the Lord, to obtain relief from illness. Pazhamala-A garland of 28 bananas (KadaliPazham) is placed on the idol of Ganesha to off all obstacles and facilitatemarriages. This offering is made every Tuesday or Friday for 12 consecutive weeks and can be booked inadvance. Palpayasam-An offering of palpayasam is made toVaishnava Ganapathy ontwelve Thursdays, for the procurement of progeny (Salputhra and well beings). Chathurhiyootu-An offering of approximately 12kgsof rice and curry is made to Lord Ganesha and offered to chosen people (Yogies)on the fourth day of waxing moon (Chaturthi) of every month. This offering ismade to propitiate ancestral spirits (Poorva janma dosha parihara’s). A Day’s Pooja-Special poojas and offerings aremade to Malliyoor Ganapathy, Mahavishnu, Durga, Anthimahakalan, Yakshi, Shasthaand Naga for a whole day toremove all obstacles and confer grace on the devotee. Udayasthamana Pooja-A complete offering is made to theLord from dawn to dusk with measured rice, 18 poojas, Sreebali, lighting of lamps, Navabhishekam, andspecial nivedyam. It is an offering that showers grace and bounty onthe worshipper. Ashtadravya Ganapati Homam-Vinayaka Chathurthi is observed onthe Sukla Paksha Chathurthi (Atha- Chathurthi) day in the Malayalam month ofChingam. It is on this day that the much renowned Ashtadravya Ganapati Homam isobserved with 1008 coconuts. Apart from the coconuts materials such as jaggery,puffed rice, fried rice flour, lemon, honey, ghee etc are used in the Homam.1008 small packets of medicinal plants such as karuka, mukkutti,koovalachamata, chethipoovu, nellu and an equal number of coconut shells arealso used in performing the Homam. Devotees can book well in advance for performing this pujawhich is considered to bring desired results in abundance. FESTIVAL The temple is renowned for its 8-day long celebration knownas the Thiruvutsavam, during which various offerings and processions takeplace, making it a must-see destination for families on vacation. The Thiruvutsavam is one of the main attractions of Malliyurtemple and every year it concludes on the Vishu day with a colourful aarattu.The aarattu takes place by taking out a colourful procession in theaccompaniment of caparisoned elephants to Subramanya Swami temple atEravimangalam, one kilometer away fromthe temple. During theThiruvutsavam festival devotees can offer Utsava Bali and Sribhuta Bali for 6days at a stretch. LATE SANKARANNAMPOOTHIRI The name of the Temple is synonymous with the name of themain priest, the sage-like, late scholarly Sankaran Nampoothiri. He hasdedicated his humble life to the worship of Lord Ganapathy and to the renderingand exposition of the Bhagavatham. Born on February 2,1921 son of Parameswaran Nampoothiri and Arya Antherjanam, he passed throughlong and trying phases of illness and suffering. On the advice of BrahmasreePadappa Nampoothiri, he started rendering the Bhagavatham in total surrender toLord Guruvayurappan. Verysoon matters took a turn for the better; his health improved and the Temple wasrestored to its former glory. Late Sankaran Nampoothiri is divinity incarnate, a perennial source ofwisdom and serenity. Sankaran Nampoothiri has two daughters and two sons, Parameswaran and DivakaranNampoothiri, who are following their father’s footsteps, serving Lord Ganeshaand working tirelessly for the upliftment of the Temple. OTHER ACTIVITIES BYTHE TEMPLE MALLIYOOR ADHYATMIKA PEETAM is constituted to promote spiritual,educational, cultural and social developmental activities for the benefit ofthe public. The main objective of the Peetam is to develop and disseminatehigher human education, to promote and to propagate moral values and to bringabout spiritual awakening among the people. ANNA DANAM-Malliyoor temple provides free food every day round the clockto all devotees every day during the Mandal and Makara vilakku seasonof Sabarimala. During this season an average of 10,000 devotees avail theservice. YOGA CENTRE-Yoga is a way of life, and its goalis the union with the Divine. The purpose is to train the body and mind to selfobserve and become aware of their own nature. With this view in mind theAdhyatmika Peedhom organizes Yoga training along with meditation sessions andspiritual discourses. VEDIC LIBRARY-The Malliyoor Adhyatmika Peedhom isplanning to open a Reference Library for the benefit of spiritual seekers and Vedanticstudents. Collection of rare books on spirituality is in progress. Our aim isto provide our children and grandchildren a better understanding of our cultureand heritage together with an ability of integration in the wider community SATSANG-The Peetam organizes seminars,discussions, discourses, lectures, public meetings etc. on spiritual topics,aiming to promote the inner discipline to attain higher level of superconsciousness. CurrentlyBhagavatha Saptahams are organized every month and pravachans are conductedinviting the eminent Vedic scholars and Bhagavatha exponents. AWARDS-The Malliyoor Adhyadmika Peetamcurrently honours two prestigious awards namely Malliyoor SankarasmrithiPuraskaram (Winners: Dr. A. P. J. Abdulkalam, Dr.K.Radhakrishnan, Dr. E.Sreedharan, Dr. M.Balamuraleekrishna, Vittal Das Jayakrishna Deekshithar,Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, Dr.L.Subrahmanyam, Dr.Kavitha Krishnamoorthi, P.Parameswaran) and Malliyoor Ganesha Puraskaram.Many more are there in progress. VAISHNAVA GANAPATI “Ganesha is the aspect of the Supreme Being responsible forthe removal of obstacles, both in a material and in a spiritual sense.Ultimately a soul’s aim is parameshwara Nirvana, enlightenment from the innerself. When we pray to Ganesha, we ask him to help remove those obstacles withinthe self. The worship of Ganesha isconsidered complementary with the worship of other deities. We begin prayers, importantundertakings, and religious ceremonies with an invocation of Ganesha theMangala moorthi. He isParabrahma incarnate, the God of Wisdom and Learning, the Remover of allObstacles and is worshipped first, any other god. His visitors include former President of India Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, ISRO Chairman Dr. Radha Krishnan, Kanchi Sankaracharya Bishop MarCrisostum Ministers of States and Centre governments, great musicians andartists like Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna, Dr. K.J Yesudas, V. Dakshina Moorthyand others found solace in his presence. He led a pious and saintly life till his Samadhi on 2ndaugust 2011. Now, His elder son, Malliyoor Parameswaran Nampoothirifollowing his father’s footsteps reciting Bhagavatam and working tirelessly forits propagation. Younger son Malliyoor Divakaran Namboothiri , the chieforganiser and coordinator of religious and culture activities at Malliyoor, isthe founder Secretary of Malliyoor Adhyatmika Peedom and managing trustee ofMalliyoor Kshetram Trust the chief organiser and coordinator of religious andculture activities at Malliyoor. Malliyoor Sri Mahaganapathi Kshethram Trust Address of the temple Maha Ganapathi temple, Manjoor (PO), Kuruppanthara, Kottayam District, Kerala, India. PIN / ZIP : 686 603 Phone numbers -4829 – 243455 and 4829 - 243465 Mobile : +91 8547699009 How to reach To reach Malliyoor temple by bus, alight Kuruppanthara Junction in Kottayam - ErnakulamRoad, (MC Road). Temple is 2 km away from the Junction. From therefollow the indications for the temple. Temple is 2 km away from the Junction. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/194529642.315922.1755353623689%40mail.yahoo.com.
