Manimurthyswaram Sri Uchishta Ganapati Temple, Tirunelveli

Address

Manimurthyswaram Sri Uchishta Ganapati Temple, Manimurthyswaram Near New Bypass Road, Tirunelveli – 627 001.

Diety

Uchishta Ganapati

Introduction

Lord Marudeesar is the presiding deity in the famous Pillayarpatti Vinayaka temple. Lord Vinayaka graces here in a big form as a sub-deity-Parivaramurthi. There are two Vinayaka temples in Tirunelveli with flag posts. Kodimaram, Sandhi Pillayar in Tiruneveli Town, and the other is the Sarkarai Vinayakar temple in Pettai, 5 km fromTirunelveli. But this is the biggest Vinayaka temple with Uchishta Ganapathi as the presiding deity. The length and height of the long dilapidated compound wall is evidence of the size of the temple. Lord Vinayaka graces in the sanctum sanctorum with His Trunk on the naval of a woman. A philosophy is attributed to this form. A woman feels proud when she attains motherhood. She expects the child to grow righteous and noble and obedient to parents. Devotees believe that worshipping Ganapthi in this form will reward them with a child of stellar characters and totally free from fiendish traits. There is also such a Vinayaka form in the Sankaranarayana temple in Sankarankoil. No Vinayaka in any temple has such a form. There is a small shrine for Nellyappar in this temple. Renovations of this ancient temple under the HR & CE control, are being carried out by a committee headed by Swami Sankarananda. To repair the damages fully, the total cost of renovation is estimated at Rs. 65 lakhs

Puranic Significance

Uchishta Ganapathy is one of the 32 forms of Vinayaka. While He is considered as a Brahmmachari, seeing Him embracing a woman is explained as His granting child boon. This is the biggest Uchishta Ganapathi temple in whole of Asia. The temple has a five tier main tower-Rajagopuram. There is a long open space after the tower to enter the temple. There are no idols in the Mahamandap. It is the faith of the devotees that Uchishta Ganapathi will reward the devotees with child boon. Devotees perform abishek and offer vastras to Lord Ganapathi.