Thumbikai Azhwar...Oh really?? When it comes to vishwaksenar there is so much doubts around him. IF one searches internet can find many such queries ranging from is vishwaksenar none other than Ganesha to what not! this is just my humble attempt to clarify many of the common doubts that i get to hear around this great Nithyasuri.
Nithyasuris are those who are always with Sriman Narayanan in Parama Padam. Nithya means one with no end, forever. Suri means smart, all-rounder. Hence they are very powerful. coming to Vishwaksena. He is also called senaithalaivar,senai mudaliyar( again here mudaliyar means similar to mudalvar not anything else). He has no name such as Thumbikai Azhwar for that matter, there is no one called Thumbikai Azhwar in sampradayam.It is a name given in modern days which never existed in any of the puranas or anywhere else. Vishwaksena bears all the similar lakshanams to Mahavishnu such as a " human form" with four arms bearing the shankha and chakra along with a staff The shloka describing his Thirumeni or divine form is vishwakse:nam sakala vibudha prowdda sainya:dhi na:dhammudra: chakre: karathala yuge: sankha dande: dadha:nam |me:gha sya:mam sumani makutam pi:thavasthram subha:ngamdhya:ye:th de:vam dalitha danujam su:thravathya: same:tham In both Vaikanasa Agama and Pancharatra Agama, Vishwaksena is accorded the first place in worship as the one who drives the negative forces away before the commencement of an auspicious event. Then who is the one whom we see in temple with a trunk and similar to Ganesha that we see in sivan temples? Please note he is not Vishwaksena. Vishwaksena is only in Human form and not in any other form or Roopam. Vishwaksenar has lot of assistants among them are Gajanan, Jayathsenan etc. It is Gajanan whom we see in temples & he has trunk and looks similar to Ganesha. His main work is to report to Vishwaksenar who and all have visited the temple on the day & hence we should always visit him 1st to inform we have come to the temple. the main concept that causes confusion is the title Gana Athipathi. Its viswaksEnar who is the Gana Athi apthi in vaishnavam. Hence ppl assume Him as Ganapathi. Anyhow Paancharathra aagama indicates thar Shiva,durgi,ganapathi etc are dwelling in the peetam belo the thiruvadi of perumal. hence they all(shiva & famly) are gr8 vaishnavas who are in perumal's thiruvadi for ever. they shud also deserve the respect like any other srivaishnavan... (Vaishnava blog authentically made) Parthasarathy temple Vinayaka was installed outside so late which jistoru the purohit will explain. The term Thumbikai Azhwar is a term coined by us as funny in Vaishnava temples if there is one likely other than vishwak senar So Mr. Gopalakrishnan need not be carried away by Kerala legends and hearsay to defend his know-how. K Rajaram IRS 17825 On Sun, 17 Aug 2025 at 09:41, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > *The member responded probably does not know much about "thumbikkai Alwar" > worshipped by Vaishnavites. * > *Gopalakrishnan* > > > On Sunday 17 August, 2025 at 08:33:21 am IST, Rajaram Krishnamurthy < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > Malliyur > > > > What is “y”? “My y posting today is about this temple near Kuruppunthara > in the Kottayam District of the Kerala state. > > KR Change yourself and then you may change others > > When copying and pasting we must understand what is what. WHAT IS > PREPERUMAL ERA? WE ARE TALKING ABOUT KRISHNA. KRISHNA IS APERUMAL. PRE > PERUMAL-IS CHERA DYNASTY PERUMAL 800 AD. > > Vaishnavas do not worship Vigneswaran and if so how Vaishnava Ganapathi? > > Vaishnava Ganapati refers to Ganesha as worshipped by followers of > Vaishnavism, where Ganesha is revered as the Remover of Obstacles, ensuring > success in Vishnu's service and his avatars' missions, and often > represented by a unique figure called Vishwaksena in some traditions, who > serves as Vishnu's gatekeeper and commander. While Ganesha is universally > worshipped, Vaishnavas see him as a being blessed by Vishnu and crucial for > their spiritual path, sometimes replacing the traditional Ganesha idol with > Vishwaksena at the start of religious rituals. > > Role of Ganesha in Vaishnavism > > Remover of Obstacles for Vishnu's Devotees: Ganesha is respected for his > ability to remove obstacles, not just in general life, but specifically for > devotees of Vishnu and his avatars. > > Blessed by Vishnu: Vaishnavas believe Ganesha is blessed by Vishnu and > holds a significant divine role within the Hindu pantheon. > > Assisted Vishnu's Avatars: Stories exist where Ganesha aided Vishnu's > avatars, such as Rama and Krishna, in their divine tasks. > > Vishwaksena, the Vaishnava Counterpart > > Gatekeeper of Vishnu: In some conservative Sri Vaishnava temples, > particularly in Tamil Nadu, an idol of Vishwaksena replaces Ganesha at > the entrance, as he serves as the supreme commander of Lord Vishnu's forces. > > Functionally Similar: Vishwaksena fulfills a similar role to Ganesha as > the obstacle remover and initial deity to be invoked before other rituals > and services to Vishnu. > > Separate Entities: While they share functions, Ganesha and Vishwaksena are > considered different individuals, with Ganesha being the son of Shiva and > Parvati, and Vishwaksena being a manifestation or attendant of Vishnu. > > Worship Practices > > Initial Worship: Many Vaishnavas, especially in North India, begin their > prayers by worshipping Ganesha. > > Temple Idols: Ganesha idols are commonly found at the entrance of many > Vaishnavite temples. > > Invocation: Vaishnavas may invoke either Ganesha or Vishwaksena, depending > on the tradition and region, before proceeding with any religious > ceremonies. > > IF SO, GANAPATHY CANNOT BE AMAIN DEITY UNDER VAISHNAVISM > PRINCIPLE; BUT KRISHNA IS SEATED ON THE LAP OG GANAPATHY AND MADE A MAIN > DEITY. THAT IS THE INTENT OF THE NAMBOODRI WHO WORSHIPPED GANAPAATHY AND > READ BHAGAVATHAM. > > ------------------- > > Narain research archelogy, summarizes the lack of evidence about Ganesha's > history before the 5th century as follows: > > “ What is inscrutable is the somewhat dramatic appearance of Gaṇeśa on > the historical scene. His antecedents are not clear. His wide acceptance > and popularity, which transcend sectarian and territorial limits, are > indeed amazing. On the one hand, there is the pious belief of the orthodox > devotees in Gaṇeśa's Vedic origins and in the Purāṇic explanations > contained in the confusing, but nonetheless interesting, mythology. On the > other hand, there are doubts about the existence of the idea and the icon > of this deity" before the fourth to fifth century A.D. ... [I]n my opinion, > indeed there is no convincing evidence [in ancient Brahmanic literature] of > the existence of this divinity prior to the fifth century. > > The evidence for more ancient Ganesha, suggests Narain, may reside outside > Brahmanic or Sanskritic traditions, or outside geocultural boundaries of > India. Ganesha appears in China by the 6th century, states Brown, and his > artistic images in temple setting as "remover of obstacles" in South Asia > appear by about 400 CE. Hence Bheeja or otherwise Ganapathy is the base > root of the temple who is holding the Smd Bhagavatham is the symbol. > > "Ashta" means eight, and "Dravya" refers to substances or offerings. > > Purpose: > > These eight ingredients are offered in the homam (sacred fire) to invoke > Lord Ganesha's blessings. > > Typical ingredients: > > While specific items may vary slightly by region or tradition, some common > examples include: > > Coconut > > Jaggery (molasses) > > Honey > > Sugarcane > > Rice flakes (puffed rice) > > Banana > > Sesame seeds > > Ghee (clarified butter) > > Benefits: > > Performing the Ashta Dravya Ganapathi Homam is believed to bring various > blessings, including: > > Removal of obstacles and hurdles > > Success in new ventures > > Protection from negative energies > > Fulfillment of desires > > Overall prosperity and well-being > > K RAJARAM IRS 17825 > > On Sat, 16 Aug 2025 at 19:45, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < > [email protected]> wrote: > > *THE MALLIYOOR SREE MAHAGANAPATHY TEMPLE, KURUPPUNTHARA- KOTTAYAM > DISTRICT, KERALA -**COMPILED* > > Dear friends, > > The Malliyoor Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple is in comparable in the > conception of the presiding deity as Vaishnava Ganapathy, with a young > Sree Krishna seated on the lap of Lord Ganesha. This unique and powerful > infusion of the Vaishnava spirit in the Ganesha idol is the supreme > achievement of the devoted penance of the much-revered main priest of the > temple, late Brahmasree Bhagavathahamsam Malliyoor Sankaran Namboothiri. > > Today thousands of devotees flock to the feet of Vasihnava Ganapthy at > Malliyoor seeking eternal salvation form the bonds of Karama and solace > from the evils of Kaliyuga. > > My y posting today is about this temple near Kuruppunthara in the Kottayam > District of the Kerala state. > > Hope a divine reading. > > Gopalakrishnan 16-08-2025 > > INTRODUCTION > > Malliyoor Maha Ganapati temple is situated near to Kuruppanthara town, in > Kottayam District of Kerala State, India. It belongs to South Kerala > Division. The name of the Temple is synonymous with the name of the main > priest, the sage-like, scholarly Sankaran Namboothiri. He has dedicated his > humble life to the worship of Lord Ganapathy and to the rendering and > exposition of the Bhagavatham. Beeja Ganapathi became Vaishnava Ganapathi. > > The Malliyoor Sri Maha Ganapathi Temple is a magnificent shrine dedicated > to Lord Ganesha. The temple's main attraction is its extraordinary idol > of Lord Ganesha having Lord Krishna in his lap , which is distinct from > traditional images found in other temples. > > > > HISTORY > > The history of the temple dates back to the pre- Perumal era of Kerala. It > is believed that a saint from Malliyoor after a pilgrimage to the northern > regions brought the Ganapati idol and installed about 1500 years ago. Though > the temple had wealth and resources in those days, however, due to the > onslaught of time and climatic conditions, it went into eclipse, unattended > and uncared for and it remained as a silent testimony to its rich cultural > heritage. > > > > It was late Malliyoor Sankaran Namboothiri, who brought the much-needed > reawakening to the temple. Sankaran Namboothiri was an exponent of Srimad > Bhagavatha puran and was called Bhagavathahamsam. He used to recite > Srimad Bhagavatam every day in the temple by keeping the Salagrama, the > iconic symbol and reminder of the Lord Vishnu as Paramatma. CONSEQANTLY > VISHNU CHAITHANYA WAS EXPERIENCED IN THE TEMPLE. > > In fact, the continuous recitation of Shrimad Bhagavatham placing the > ‘Salagaram’ in the sanctum sanctorum of Ganesha changed the Beeja > Ganapathy into Vaishnava Ganapathy. The deity of Ganesha placing Little > Krishna on his lap and listening the Mahapuran is the symbol of the flow of > knowledge from a high consciousness to the younger generations. > > Today Malliyoor Maha Ganapati Temple is a major attraction to both Krishna > and Ganesha devotees who arrive throughout the year in significant numbers. > > > > CHIEF DEITY > > The Malliyoor Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple is in comparable in the > conception of the presiding deity as Vaishnava Ganapathy, with the child > 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 different from what we usually see in temples. On the left lap of > Ganesha sits little Krishna, which symbolizes the unity of two sects – > Vaishnavas (believers of Lord Vishnu) and Saiva’s (believers of Lord Shiva). > > The chief deity is called Vaishnava Ganapathy. The temple is in 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- > Brahma Rakshas are also installed* > > *Brahma Rakshas at Malliyur temple*- The Atmas of Brahmins who are > experienced in Tantric cult is invoked as Brahma Rakshas. The deity of > Brahma Rakshas is located on the southern side of the temple facing the > east. *It is customary to take permission from Brahma Rakshas before > commencing the construction activities*. 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 like festival, > lunar and solar eclipse days. > > > > IMPORTANT OFFERINGS OF THE TEMPLE > > The omnipotent Lord Vigneswara offers solace and relief from the troubles > and tribulations of life. Special offerings to the bountiful Lord at > Malliyoor grant all wishes and provide solace from illness unfortunately > fear. > > > > Mukkutti Pushpanjali-108 Mukkutti saplings in all their freshness, and > without losing their roots and flowers are dipped in a mixture of ghee, > fruit and sugar (thrimadhuram) and offered to the deity to the chanting of > Mahaganapathi Mantram 108 times. For immediate relief from troubles and > instant solutions to problems, this is supposed to be very effective. *Not > more than five Pushpanjali are performed a day, and one has to make advance > booking for this Pooja.* > > > > Ayiramkudam Jalabhishekam-Holy water from the temple well taken in copper > pot is poured on Ganesh Idol 1000 times, simultaneously chanting mantras > accompanied by conventional musical instruments. This abhishekam is only > performed by the Thanthri. As this pooja is a time-consuming process *only > two numbers can be performed in a day and prior registration is needed to > perform this pooja by devotees.* The performing date will be intimated to > them as and when the dates are allotted by thanthri. While performing this > pooja the presence of the devotees is a must. Praying the lord Maha > Ganapathy to confer grace on him to overcome all hindrance. > > > > Thati Nivedyam-An offering of rice flour in varying quantities > (approximately 3kg, 6kg, 1 2kg), is made to the Lord, to obtain relief > from illness. > > Pazhamala-A garland of 28 bananas (Kadali Pazham) is placed on the idol > of Ganesha to off all obstacles and facilitate marriages. This offering is > made *every Tuesday or Friday for 12 consecutive weeks and can be booked > in advance.* > > > > Palpayasam-An offering of palpayasam is made to Vaishnava Ganapathy on > twelve Thursdays, for the procurement of progeny (Salputhra and well > beings). > > > > Chathurhiyootu-An offering of approximately 12kgs of 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 is made to > propitiate ancestral spirits (Poorva janma dosha parihara’s).* > > > > A Day’s Pooja-Special poojas and offerings are made to Malliyoor > Ganapathy, Mahavishnu, Durga, Anthimahakalan, Yakshi, Shastha and Naga for > a whole day to remove all obstacles and confer grace on the devotee. > > > > Udayasthamana Pooja-A complete offering is made to the Lord from dawn to > dusk with measured rice, *18 poojas, Sreebali, lighting of lamps, > Navabhishekam, and special nivedyam*. It is an offering that showers > grace and bounty on the worshipper. > > > > Ashtadravya Ganapati Homam-Vinayaka Chathurthi is observed on the Sukla > Paksha Chathurthi (Atha- Chathurthi) day in the Malayalam month of Chingam. > It is on this day that the much renowned Ashtadravya Ganapati Homam is > observed 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 > are also used in performing the Homam. *Devotees can book well in advance* > for performing this puja which is considered to bring desired results in > abundance. > > > > FESTIVAL > > The temple is renowned for its 8-day long celebration known as the > Thiruvutsavam, during which various offerings and processions take place, > making it a must-see destination for families on vacation. > > The Thiruvutsavam is one of the main attractions of Malliyur temple and > every year it concludes on the Vishu day with a colourful aarattu. The > aarattu takes place by taking out a colourful procession in the > accompaniment of caparisoned elephants to Subramanya Swami temple at > Eravimangalam, one kilometer away from the temple. *During the > Thiruvutsavam festival devotees can offer Utsava Bali and Sribhuta Bali for > 6 days at a stretch.* > > > > LATE SANKARAN NAMPOOTHIRI > > The name of the Temple is synonymous with the name of the main priest, the > sage-like, late scholarly Sankaran Nampoothiri. He has dedicated his humble > life to the worship of Lord Ganapathy and to the rendering and exposition > of the Bhagavatham. > > Born on February 2, 1921 son of Parameswaran Nampoothiri and Arya > Antherjanam, he passed through long and trying phases of illness and > suffering. On the advice of Brahmasree Padappa Nampoothiri, he started > rendering the Bhagavatham in total surrender to Lord Guruvayurappan. *Very > soon matters took a turn for the better; his health improved and the Temple > was restored to its former glory.* > > Late Sankaran Nampoothiri is divinity incarnate, a perennial source of > wisdom and serenity. Sankaran Nampoothiri has two daughters and *two > sons, Parameswaran and Divakaran Nampoothiri, who are following their > father’s footsteps, serving Lord Ganesha and working tirelessly for the > upliftment of the Temple.* > > > > OTHER ACTIVITIES BY THE TEMPLE > > MALLIYOOR ADHYATMIKA PEETAM is constituted to promote spiritual, > educational, cultural and social developmental activities for the benefit > of the public. The main objective of the Peetam is to develop and > disseminate higher human education, to promote and to propagate moral > values and to bring about spiritual awakening among the people. > > ANNA DANAM-Malliyoor temple provides *free food every day round the clock > to all devotees every day during the Mandal and Makara vilakku season* of > Sabarimala. During this season an average of 10,000 devotees avail the > service. > > YOGA CENTRE-Yoga is a way of life, and its goal is the union with the > Divine. The purpose is to train the body and mind to self observe and > become aware of their own nature. With this view in mind the Adhyatmika > Peedhom organizes Yoga training along with meditation sessions and > spiritual discourses. > > VEDIC LIBRARY-The Malliyoor Adhyatmika Peedhom is planning to open a > Reference Library for the benefit of spiritual seekers and Vedantic > students. Collection of rare books on spirituality is in progress. Our aim > is to provide our children and grandchildren a better understanding of our > culture and 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 super consciousness. *Currently > Bhagavatha Saptahams are organized every month and pravachans are conducted > inviting the eminent Vedic scholars and Bhagavatha exponents.* > > AWARDS-The Malliyoor Adhyadmika Peetam currently honours two prestigious > awards namely Malliyoor Sankarasmrithi Puraskaram (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 for the removal of > obstacles, both in a material and in a spiritual sense. Ultimately a soul’s > aim is parameshwara Nirvana, enlightenment from the inner self. When we > pray to Ganesha, we ask him to help remove those obstacles within the self. > > The worship of Ganesha is considered complementary with the worship of > other deities. We begin prayers, important undertakings, and religious > ceremonies with an invocation of Ganesha the Mangala moorthi. *He is > Parabrahma incarnate, the God of Wisdom and Learning, the Remover of all > Obstacles 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 Mar Crisostum > Ministers of States and Centre governments, great musicians and artists > like Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna, Dr. K.J Yesudas, V. Dakshina Moorthy and > others found solace in his presence. > > He led a pious and saintly life till his Samadhi on 2nd august 2011. > > Now, His elder son, Malliyoor Parameswaran Nampoothiri following his > father’s footsteps reciting Bhagavatam and working tirelessly for its > propagation. Younger son Malliyoor Divakaran Namboothiri , the chief > organiser and coordinator of religious and culture activities at Malliyoor, > is the founder Secretary of Malliyoor Adhyatmika Peedom and managing > trustee of Malliyoor Kshetram Trust the chief organiser and coordinator of > religious and culture 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 - Ernakulam Road, (MC Road). Temple is 2 km away from the > Junction. From there follow the indications for the temple. 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