Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathi Kshethram Kollam

Shrine’s History

According to the tradition,the word Ganapathy stands for the leader of the Ganas, as the leaders leader of groups, tribes, race, army, escorts, and hence Lord Shivas son is described as the supreme leader . Lord Ganapathy is also known as Vigneswara which means Lord who clears all obstacles. The outlook of Sri Ganesha is described as yellow-skinned, short with a big round belly, the elephant-headed with one trunk, four arms, large ears, bright shining eyes. There are multiple stories that speak about the origin of Lord Vinayaka. Based on the Varahapurana, once upon a time, the Devas approached Lord Shiva and submitted before him the need of a baby who can do away with all obstacles. With the consent of Parvathi, Shiva agreed to the proposal. Devi becomes pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful baby. The ladies of Devaloka gathered around him. Keeping in mind the character of the ladies, Parvathi blessed her child with these words: May your beauty change to that of a tusker headed body with a big belly.? Her desire was fulfilled. But Lord Shiva, though unhappy, named him Ganesha and he blessed Ganesha saying, ?Your position will be above all Ganas. All gods will acknowledge the prominence of Ganesha, and those who are not ready to worship you will fall into deep waters.” Based on the Skandapurana, Ganesha was formed from the dirt collected from the body of goddess Parvathy. Devi created an extraordinary elephant-headed creature with four arms and deputed him to safeguard the entrance towards the Chandraprathishta, which was being performed in heaven.

Based on the Matsyapurana, Lord Shiva had the habit of peeping, while goddess Parvathy had her oil bath. On one occasion, Devi noticed the habit of Lord Shiva. Though it was her husband, she did not like this action of his. Parvathy thus created a figure out of the dirt she had washed away from her body and given life to it by sprinkling water from the Ganges. As usual, Shiva tried to enter the bathing place of Parvathy. The guard didnt allow him in. Furious, Shiva cut the guards throat. Fearing Parvathys anger, Shiva swiftly went out. He saw an elephant there, cut down its head and fixed it to the body of Parvathys creation. Thus was born Parvathys son, the elephant-headed Ganesha. The place that we now call Mahaganapathy temple is actually Kizhakkekara Shiva temple. The main deity is none other than Lord Shiva himself ? Shiva facing eastward. In fact, Ganesha is only a minor deity here. But the temple today is famous as a Ganesha temple rather than a Shiva temple. The legend behind this is that Kizhakkekara temple was the property of two Nampoothiri houses ? Akavoor and Oomanpally. Padinjattinkara Shiva temple belonged to the royal house of Elayidathu. One day, before sunrise, rituals were taking place for the consecration of Shiva at the Pandinjattinkara temple, the work of which was managed by the legendary Uliyannor Perumthachan. Outside the temple , while listening to the manthras , he started chiselling a piece of the jackfruit tree. To his surprise, he found that it was the form of Ganesha that was taking shape. Thus he asked the chief priest to enshrine Ganesha also after the consecration of Shiva. The chief priest denied. This is a Shiva temple. Ganesha cannot be consecrated here.? Perumthachan, desperate, walked towards the east and thus reached Kizhakkekkara Shiva temple. As that priest was preparing Unniyappam, offering for the Lord, Perumthachan asked him can you sanctify this Ganesha here ??.

The priest agreed. Perumthachan viewed the place- Shiva facing east, in front of that, was Ganga, Parvathy turned towards the west. Southwest there was Sastha and north-west Subrahmanya. He thought that if Ganesha too is installed, Lord Shivas family will be complete, and the place will be another that Kailash itself. Thus Ganesha was installed south-east by Perumthachan. Perumthachan then asked the priest Unni Ganesha must be hungry.What is the sacrificial food that you have prepared??. Unniyappam? was the reply. On a leaf, the priest placed six to seven Unniyappams stringed together. Perumthachan, with all his heart, devoted his first offerings-Koottappam. Koottappam is still known to be the most wanted nivedhyam for Kottarakkara Ganesha. After the offering, Perumthachan affectionately declared though the father is the main deity, the son will be much more famous?. His words proved to be true. Kizhakkekkara Shiva temple is now known as Kottarakkara Ganapathy temple.

Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There

By Road

Buses can be boarded from Kottarakkara, Kollam, Trivandrum and Kottayam that takes the passengers directly to the Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathy Temple.

By Rail

One can reach the temple via the passenger trains plying through the railway stations of Kottarakkara, Kollam and Trivandrum.

By Air

The nearest airport is Trivandrum Airport, which is 70 km away.

Shrine Timings

04:00 to 11:30 All days of the week (Morning) 17:00 to 20:00 All days of the week (Evening)

Events Celebrated at This Shrine

Vinayaka Chaturthi Ayilyam-Makam Navarathri Mandalachirappu Prathishtadinam Thyppoyam Sivarathri Medathiruvathira