Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple, Kerala

Address

Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple, Kerala

Padmavilasam Rd, Pazhavangadi, Padma Nagar,

Pazhavangadi, Thiruvananthapuram,

Kerala 695023

Moolavar

Ganapathy

Introduction

Location:

• Situated at East Fort, in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
• The temple is close to the famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
• The main deity of the temple is Sri Mahaganapathy (Ganesha).

Puranic Significance:

• The temple’s history traces back to the time when the Travancore Kingdom army was stationed at the Padmanabhapuram front during a war.
• Soldiers were tormented by a demon, a Yakshi, but one soldier, a devoted follower of Lord Ganesha, remained fearless due to his belief in the deity’s protection.
• While bathing in a river, this soldier discovered an idol of Lord Ganesh and kept it with him, leading to the army’s unperturbed safety from the demon.
• The idol was considered powerful, and a temple was erected at the site where the idol was found.
• When the Travancore Kingdom’s headquarters moved to Trivandrum in 1795, the idol was transferred with them.
• The Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple was built in 1860 by Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal, with the army managing the temple.

Special Features:

• The temple is a blend of Dravidian and South Indian architecture.
• Two idols of Lord Ganesh are enshrined—one made of pure granite and the other made of gold.
• In addition to Lord Ganesha, there are idols of Lord Vishnu, Lord Ayyappa, Goddess Durga, Nagaraja, and Brahmarakshaks.
• The Lord Vishnu idol is unique, depicting him reclining on the serpent Anantha, made of a blend of Kudusarkara, herbs, and Salagramam, adorned with gold and precious stones.
• The main ritual is the breaking of coconuts, which is believed to overcome obstacles and fulfill desires. More than 2500 coconuts are broken daily in the temple.
• Every 6 years, a 56-day Murajapam is performed, featuring Vedic chants and concluding with the lighting of one lakh lamps, creating a spectacular sight in the night sky.

Festivals:

• Major festivals include:
  • Vinayaka Chathurthi (Ganesh Jayanthi).
  • Virad Chathurthi.
  • Sankashti Chathurthi.
• Special poojas are performed during Thiruvonam, Deepavali, Vijayadashami, Vishu, and other occasions.

Century/Period

1860

Nearest Bus Station

Thiruvananthapuram 

Nearest Railway Station

Thiruvananthapuram 

Nearest Airport

Thiruvananthapuram 

Location on Map

lightuptemple