Pranam
Do you know?:
Sri Mahadevar Athisaya Vinayakar Temple-Keralapuram
This temple is one of its kinds. A very powerful and extremely rare lord
Ganesh’s temple exists for many centuries in Keralapuram near Nagercoil
Dist. in Tamil Nadu. ‘Adisiya Vinayakar Koyil’ literally translates to
‘Miracle Ganesha Temple’. Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is known
by many names. Vinayaka is one of his several names. ''Vinayaka''
symbolizes the qualities of a true leader in all aspects. "Viyate Nayake
Iti Vinayaka '' meaning, He is a master unto Himself. Lord Vinayakar’s idol
changes its color to black and white once every six months. During
Utharayan (March-June), the idol is black in color, and in Dakshiyana
(July-Feb) the idol turns to white. Hence this temple came to be known as
‘’Miracle Ganesh Temple.
The first glance of the temple will speak of neighboring state (Kerala’s)
influence. There are no exuberant temple towers that we usually find in
other Tamil Nadu Temples. If not for the Temple nameplate, one cannot
recognize that this is the famous ancient temple. Once entered the temple,
one can find a huge yard with deep-rooted trees, a small dome and a
sculpture of lord Shiva and Parvathi on it. One can also find a whole lot
of Nagaraja idols, and each idol has a unique face to it. There are many
idols; the temple is located in a pristine environment, and the whole place
echoes simplicity!
There are two temples inside the temple complex one for lord
Shiva and another is for lord Ganesha. Lord Shiva here is known as
Mahadevar. It is believed that the temple was built in 1317. The idols were
established long before the temple was built! Although it is primarily a
Shiva temple, one can clearly see Vishnava's influence in this temple.
Those days Vishnava’s dominance was high and it reflects thru' Vishnava
signs throughout the temple. Lord Ganesh is very famous in this part of the
state. This temple was renovated many times over the centuries and this
information is available in the temple's scriptures. There are beautiful
paintings drawn on the walls inside the temple. Once we pass by a huge tree
under it is a snake carved out of granite stone, we head to Adisiya
Vinayakar Temple. This temple has a long passage and walls are adorned with
magnificent paintings. The sacred sanctum has an iron grid sliding door.
The sacred sanctum is not an enclosed chamber, as the lord is placed
outside, and under the huge banyan tree.
The idol here changes its color every six months. There is an interesting
story behind this idol. The king, who ruled Keralapuram, went for a
pilgrimage to Rameshwaram, a famous shivite temple facing the Bay of
Bengal. A Ganesh idol is washed over while the king and his men were
washing their legs at the Rameshwaram beach. The king then gifts it to his
Rameshwaram counterpart ‘’Sethu Mannan’’. Sethu Mannan was overwhelmed by
the love and affection, however he returned the gift back to the
Keralapuram King. It was his opinion and belief that the finder should have
it and it was the right thing to do. Along with the idol, the Rameshwaram
King gifts another Huge Emerald Idol. However, the Mogul later looted the
emerald idol during their invasion. They could not take the idol with them,
it was stuck to the ground. So, the idol was left behind. Though the temple
was built in the 12th century idols here are quite older than the
temple. According
to the temple priest, the idol is at least 2,300 years old! The idol was
not installed according to the agama shastra; it is simply kept on the
elevated platform. { This stone is known as INDRA STONE}People offer their
prayers every morning and in the evening. Abhishekam to the lord takes
place every morning and in the evening! Hence the idol found at the
Rameshwaram beach is worshiped here.
It is believed that those who are looking for their soul mates, married
couples wishing to have kids throng this temple. By breaking coconut, and
offering rice dumplings to the lord, devotees believe their wishes will
come true. Devotees also believe that the idol color changes every six
months due to God's grace. There are many devotees who come here just to
see the color change. The color of the idol changes to black and white
every six months i.e. during utharayana (March-June) and dakshiyana
(July-Feb). During Dakshiyana the color of the idol changes to white, and
in utharayana it is black in color. There is another miracle associated
with this temple. There is a well inside the temple complex and the color
of the water too changes every six months. When the idol is white in color,
the water changes to black and vice versa! Right now, the color of the
water is black in color. Though, there is no ‘’fall season’’ in the
tropical states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, however the key temple tree has a
unique characteristic where leaves start to fall during dakshiyana, and new
leaves start to sprout from march. This is not a typical behaviour of a
Banyan tree. Visiting this place is undoubtedly an unique experience! May
the lord Vinayaka bless us all with happiness, prosperity and health!
KR IRS 231121
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