Lulled by the soft murmurs of the waves from the lagoon a stone’s throw away, cooled by the sonorous Vedic hymn ushered in by the west wind, and caressed by the soft music notes of the temple bells, Lord Swayambhoo Ganapathy at Panangad, benevolent and merciful, vigils over the teeming millions, showering grace and bliss.
Resounding Omkara emanates from the effulgent chaithanya that dwells inside the rare krishna- rudraksha shila at the famed Parapally courtyard, reaffirms its sanctity. The serene ambience of the patio where the kids are initiated to the world of letters reverberates with the blues and pangs of the ultimate seeker..Standing cross legged, holding the ears, the devotees bow their heads again and again in repentance for their sins of omissions and commissions. And Panangad Swayambhoo Ganapathy, ever benign and tender, embraces the repentant to his bosom, and goads them with his trunk to embark on their journeys to pen their karma cantos. Humble Pranams to the absolute!
Devotees from all over the district and outside visit the temple to get a glimpse of the Lord Ganesha, whom they believe, will help them tide over hurdles in education, health and prosperity. Pilgrims attain an indefinable sense of security and sanctity after visiting the temple. The pleasant atmosphere of temple itself gives mental peace and harmony to the devotees.
The temple is one of the very few Swayambhoo Sree Mahaganapathy temples in Kerala and the only one in Ernakulam District. The age of the temple is not known and the Lord Ganesha was the family God of the erstwhile ‘Elangalloor Swaroopam’ (Edappally Royal Family). Centures back, the temple was owned by ‘Punnoorkkottu Mana (or ‘Swarnahu Mana – The famaous ‘Mana’ where hundres of Golden Gooseberries were showered when Swami Shree Sankaracharya enchanted ‘Kanaka Dhara Sthothramm’) and looked after by the ‘Elangalloor Swaroopam’ (Edappally Royal Family).
Temple Administration
The administration of the temple is now looked after by ‘Sree Ganeshandnda Sabha’ (Registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955) which took over the temple administration from the ‘Punnorkkottu Mana (Swarnathu mana)’ in the year 1973.
Location
The Swayambhoo Sree Mahaganapathy Temple is situated at Panangad, 7 KM south of Vyttila Junction, in Ernakulam District [1.5 KMs south of Lakeshore Hospital and 1 KM from Madavana Junction (Fisheries University Junction)] on the Vyttila – Aroor Bye Pass.
Temple Thanthri & Priests
The present temple ‘Thanthri’ is Sree Sasi Namboodiripadu from the famous ‘Puliyannoor Mana’ and chief priest is Sree Sivothaman Namboodiri from the ‘Analakkattu Illam’, Vallathol Nagar of Thrissur district and assistant priests are Sree Anandan Embanthiri and Krishnan Embanthiri of the nearby ‘Thenalil’ Madam.
Social Commitments
The Ganeshananda Sabha has always strived to keep up its social commitments. Scholarships are distributed every year to bright students. Financial assistance is given every year to old artists who are unable to perform now due to old age and ill health. Financial assistance is also given to deserving persons for medical treatments. Free medical camps are also conducted by the Sabha in association with NGOs and leading hospitals. Temple hall is also given free of cost to various Government Organizations as well as Non Government Organizations to conduct various Government sponsored social upliftment programmes.
The construction of a tall and glittering ‘Kodimaram’, covering of Lord Ganesha’s shrine with copper sheet, covering of ‘sopanam’ with Brass sheet, various constructions such as Nadappura, Nadappandal, Alamkara Gopuram, full fledged Annadana Mandapam with Kitchen extending to nearly 6000 square feets, New office building and store room, protection of one of the three temple ponds with stone wall (is using as main water source for Annadana Mandapam) were accomplished with the blessing of Lord Ganesha and the whole hearted support of devotees.
The main temple building is extremely old and needs immediate renovation. Lord Siva’s temple also needs urgent attention. Siva temple also needs a Nadappura to help the devotees to have a peaceful darshan during summer and rainy days. Reconstruction of the Temple compound wall, Paving of granite stones along the aisle inside and outside the temple are some of the pending projects. Sabha is unable to carry out these projects for want of funds. The co-operation and support of devotees by way of donations is earnestly solicited to fulfil the projects.
Myth
According to local legends and myths, centuries back, when Panangad was under the rule of ‘Elangalloor Swaroopam’, once, then Edappally Thampuran (Lord of the ‘ Elangalloor Swaroopam’ (Edappaly Royal Family) was moving through the Panangad river at night to take part in a ‘Murajapam’ and to his pleasant surprise he felt that something in the form of an elephant trunk was coming out of fire to have ‘Copra’ (Dry Cocunut) from the ‘Kaavalal’ (Security) who was drying the ‘Copra’ in the fire and eating.
The King asked him to whom he was giving the ‘Copra’ and he answered, “whenever I eat copra at night, an elephant trunk will come out of fire and I don’t know who it was but I used to give copra, and the practice was continuing for a while now”.
Edappally Thampuran who was an ardent worshipper of Lord Ganesha immediately realised that he was witnessing a miracle and Lord Ganesha was showing his presence in the place and he immediately decided to built a temple at the Parappally courtyard. While searching for a suitable place to build the sanctum sanctorium (‘Sreekovil’), Edappally Thampuran found an ever growing ‘Swayambhoo’ sila at the place where the present ‘Sreekovil’ is situated, and observing the presence of Lord Ganesha in the ‘Sila’ he built the temple over there and the temple thus built is the Swayambhoo Sree Mahaganapathy Temple.
And later, at old age, Edappally Thampuran was finding it difficult to come to Panangad to have a ‘Darshan’ of his beloved Lord Ganesha and and he was feeling very sad. Legend says that once he had a ‘Darshan’ of his beloved Lord during sleep and adviced him “it was sufficient to take a handful of sand from the Panangad temple premises and build a temple at Edappally”.
Upadevan
The main Upadevan is Lord Parama Siva accompanied by Parvathy. The incarnation of Parvathy the consort of Paramasiva in the same pedestal is also a rare feature. Lord Siva is not treated as Upadevan as the deity is having equal importance as the main idol of Swayambhoo Sree Maha Ganapathy.
The other Upadevatas are Naga Raja, Naga Yakshi and Brahma Rakshas.
‘Ashtadravya Mahaganapathy Homam’, ‘Appam Moodal’, ‘Annadanam ‘and ‘Modakam’ Vazhipadu are done for good fortune and “Muzha” Vazhipadu is done to recover from fatal diseases. ‘Mruthyumjaya homam’, ‘Rudrabhishekam’, ‘Dhara’ and ‘Unniappam’ are important offerings for Lord Siva, Sarpapooja is important for Nagas and ‘Paalpayasam’ is an important offering for ‘Brahma Rakshas’.
Rituals of the Local Devotees
It’s a regular scene here that people moving though the road in front of the temple, irrespective of cast and religion, give their offering in the ‘hundi’ and break coconut to have Lord Ganesha’s blessings who grants every wish of his devotees. Devotees believe that breaking coconut in front of Lord Ganesha will remove the hurdles and bring good fortune. People from all folks of life come here and break coconut before starting new project or venture, building of new houses etc. Students invariably come here especially before examinations to get the ‘Anugaraha’ (blessing) of Lord Ganesha, the God of Wisdom and Learning.
During The ‘Mandala kaalam’ (Sabarimala Pilgrimage season) several ‘Vilakku(Deepakazhcha)’ are conducted by several groups from different parts of the village and do ‘Kettunira’ in this temple to ensure a smooth, peaceful and hassle free darshan at Sabarimala
Temple Festivals
The Swayambhoo Sree Mahaganapathy Temple Mahothsavam coincides with ‘Vinayaka Chathurthy’, Lord Ganesha’s birthday and is slated in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August/September). For most of the times this ‘Ulsavam’ marks the beginning of Ulsavams’ in the entire Kerala State. The ulsavam lasts for six days. It is believed that taking part in the ‘Utsavabali’ on the ‘Cheriya Vilakku’ day (4th day) will bring good fortune throughout the year.
Thousands of devotees from all walks of life irrespective cast and religion take part in the renowned ‘Chathurthy Oottu’ (Annadanam) on the Vinayaka Chathurthy day(5th day). People queue up to get the special ‘Chathurthy Paayasam’ distributed only on that particular day. People assemble in large numbers to witness the ‘Pancharimelam’ performed by Padmasree Peruvanam Kuttan Marar along with more than 60 eminent artists, on the Vinayaka Chathurthy day.
In Navaratri month (October) parents throng this temple to have their Children initiated to the learning of alphabets on the ‘Vijayadasami’ day. ‘Navarathri Ganesha Nrithotsavam’ is organised during these days. Hundreds of classical dance students come to the festival to have their ‘Arangettem’ and to have Lord Ganesha’s blessings.
Another importance occasion is the ‘Ulsavam’ celebrated on December 30th to mark the taking over of the temple administration by Sree Ganeshananda Sabha. The famous ‘Ganesha Sangeetholsavam’ is also conducted in the month of December from 20th to 30th. It is an annual Carnatic music festival held in the temple and is a kind of homage paid to the Lord Ganesha by aspirants in Carnatic music. Many students of Carnatc music throughout the state come to this temple during the festival for their ‘ Arrangettam and to have the blessings of the Lord Ganesha. Nearly 5000 students have taken part in the festival so far. In addition, several leading carnatic musicians Sarvasree Sarath, Sreevalsan J. Meneon (Cine Music Directors), Sankaran Namboodiri, N.P.Ramaswami and the like have also performed here during the Sangeetholsavam.
‘Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yagna’ is organized every year in the ‘Visagha’ month (May). Eminent ‘Bhagavatha’ scholars lead the Yagna where in thousands of devotees from nearby places and outside attend. Special ‘Annadanam’ is organised on all the days. Scholars like Sarvasree Thriprayar Parameswaran Namboodiri, Elamkunnapuzha Damodara Sharma, Elaramalloor K.K.Elayathu, Mohana Varma-Thripunithura, Soudamini - Mumbai, Guruvayoor Mani Swami, Venmani Krishnan Namboodiri, Subramaniyan Namboodiri and the likes have led the Yagna in the previous years.
Other Important Days
The monthly ‘Chathurthy’ day which comes after the New Moon (‘Karuthavaavu’) day in every month, as per the Malayalam calendar is very special day for Lord Ganesha and is marked by Special ‘Thanthri’ pooja and ‘Chathuthy Oottu’ (Annadanam) in the morning.
The ‘Pradosham’ day which comes twice in a Malayalam month has special importance for Lord Siva and special ‘Pradosha pooja’ is conducted in the evening. ‘Unniappam’ and Dhara and special offerings on that day. There are special poojas and ‘Abhishakeams’ to Lord Siva during Maha Sivarathri and ‘Karkidaka Vavu’ days.
Devotees assemble in large numbers to have the ‘Vishukani darshan’ and to receive ‘Vishukaineetam’ from temple’s chief priest on the ‘Vishu’ day for a prosperous beginning for rest of the year.
Temple’s ‘Dwaja Prathista’ day is celebrated in the month of ‘Mithunam’ on the ‘Chothi’ star and ‘Thanthri pooja’ is organised on the day.
Special poojas and ‘Noorum-Paalum’ vazhipadu are offed to Nagas on the ‘Aayilyam’ day which comes in the Malayalam month of ‘Medum’ and ‘Kanni’.
The Month of ‘Karkidakam’ (Ramayana month) is very auspicious for Lord Ganesh and devotees in large numbers come to offer ‘Spacial Ganapathy Homam’ in the morning and ‘Bhagavathy seva’ in the evening. ‘ Akhanda Ramayana Paaraayanam’, ‘Akhanda Narayaneeya Paaraayanam’ and Bhajans are performed during the month.
‘Ashtadravya Mahaganapathy Homam’ with 108 coconut is organised every year on ‘Chingam-1, Aandu Pirappu’ day (Malayalam new year day). Belief is that the ‘homam’ will bring a better year for devotees and others residing in the locality. People in large numbers attend the homam without fail. Ashtadravyam is distributed after the homam for each and every one.
The ‘Mandala kaalam’ (Sabarimala Pilgrimage season) also witness heavy crowd in the temple. ‘Sastampattu’ is organized on Vrishchikam 1 evening. From Vrishchikam 1 to Makaram 1(November to January) several ‘Vilakku(Deepakazhcha)’ are conducted by several groups from different parts of the village. A number of Swami Ayyappa devotees come here for ‘Kettunira’. It is believed that doing ‘Kettunira’ in this temple will ensure a smooth, peaceful and hassle free darshan at Sabarimala. Elaborate arrangements will be done during ‘Mandala kaalam’ for ‘Kettunira’ .
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Contact
Location
Swayambhoo Sree Mahaganapathy Temple,
Panangad P.O., Ernakulam District ,
Kochi – 682 506, Kerala