Kottarakkara Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple

Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathy Temple is located in Kottarakkara Taluk in Kollam district of Kerala. Dedicated to Lord Ganapathi, the temple is one of the renowned temples in Kerala. Apart from the presiding deity, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Murugan, Lord Ayyappa, and Lord Nagaraja are also worshipped here. Udayasthamanapooja, Mahaganapathi Homam and Pushpanjali are the three main rituals performed in the temple. Non Hindus are also allowed to enter into this temple, which is very old. Unni Appam is the offering that is especially prepared to offer to the deity of Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathy Temple. The temple is widely known as Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathy Kshethram among the devotees. Magnificent structure, tranquilizing ambiance and the virtual presence of Lord Mahaganapathy felt here, makes people visit this religious place again and again.

Establishment
The present day Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathy Kshethram was originally Kizhakkekara Siva Temple, which was dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kizhakkekara temple was the possession of two renowned Namboothiri houses - Akavoor and Oomanpally, while Padinjattinkara Siva Temple belonged to the Royal House of Elayidathu. Once upon a time, before the sunrise, the usual rituals were being performed at Padinjattinkara Temple, to consecrate Lord Shiva - its presiding deity. All the works of this temple was done by Uliyannoor Perumthachan, a renowned master carpenter (craftsman). Outside the temple, he was chiseling a piece of jackfruit tree while listening to the mantras that were chanted in the temple. Suddenly, he realized that the piece which he was chiseling was taking the form of Ganapathi. Therefore, he told the chief priest to also consecrate Ganapathy after Lord Shiva, in the temple.

The priest of Padinjattinkara Siva Temple denied the words of Uliyannoor Perumthachan, saying that ‘this is a temple of Shiva’. Perumthachan walked towards the east, where he reached Kizhakkekkara Siva Temple. There, he saw its priest preparing Unniyappam as offering for Lord Shiva. Perumthachan asked the priest if Lord Ganapathy could be sanctified here. The priest agreed and Lord Ganapathy was sanctified in the southeast, by Perumthachan itself. Thereafter, he asked the priest about the offering to the Lord. The priest replied that Unniyappam was being prepared as the offering. The priest served him 6-7 Unniyappams on a leaf. The Perumthachan wholeheartedly gave his offering, namely Koottappam, to Lord Ganesha. Till now, Koottappam is considered to be the most preferred Nivedhyam for Kottarakkara Ganapathy. The priest said ‘although father (Lord Shiva) is the main deity, the son (Lord Ganapathy) will be more famous in this temple’. In fact, the priest’s words proved to be true. Kizhakkekkara Siva temple is now recognized as Kottarakkara Ganapathy temple.

Key Features:
Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathy Temple is beautiful and magnificent. Number of rituals is being done here by the priests. Different schedules are followed to worship and to perform the rituals devoted to the presiding deity of the temple. The pure and holy ambiance of the temple is a source of positive energy that revives the senses.

How to Reach Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathi Kshethram:
Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathi Kshethram can be reached by road, rail as well as air. Kottakkara is close to Kollam city, which is just 25 km away from the temple. Trivandrum Airport, which is 70 km away from Kottarakkara, is the nearest airport to the temple. One can reach the temple via the passenger trains plying through the railway stations of Kottarakkara, Kollam and Trivandrum. Buses can be boarded from Kottarakkara, Kollam, Trivandrum and Kottayam that takes the passengers directly to the Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathy Temple.