Kalamassery Mahaganapathy Temple

Kalamassery Mahaganapathy Temple is an important place of worship in the state of Kerala. It is located in Kalamassery town, a suburb of the city of Kochi. It is dedicated principally to Lord Ganapathy and also has temples for deities like Shiva, Parvathi, Subrahmanya, and Navagrahas.

History

The temple was built in 1980 by the late Mr. N Ragunatha Menon, a prominent and pious person who lived in the town of Kalamassery. For a large period of time, the temple existed as a basic concrete structure and housed the temples of Ganapathy, Subramanian, and Navagrahas only. In the year 2000, Menon embarked on a project to build additional temples for other Gods and Goddesses and also refurbish the temple with traditional architecture. Menon died the following year, after which the management of the temple passed into the hands of his children. The children continued further renovation of the temple and also set up the Mahaganapathy Temple Trust which would manage the temple. At present, the temple is a very popular center of worship for people living in and around Kalamassery, and several festivals and occasions are conducted throughout the year.

Importance

The devotees refer to elephants as Lord Ganesh’s incarnation. It has been the regular annual practice at the Mahaganapathy temple for the last 20 years to conduct a large-scale Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathy Havana and Aanayoottu on the first day of the Karkkidakom month of the Malayalam calendar. Gajapooja also is conducted once every four years

Architecture

The simple, original temple had only two west-facing concrete structures side by side, which consisted of the shrines of Lords Mahaganapathy and Subrahmanya, and additionally the Navagrahas. An elevated structure was added in 2000, in which temples for many other deities were constructed. These include Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Dakshinamoorthy, and also Chandikeswara. The stairs leading to this raised level were set up in between both old structures at the ground level. The temple which is without the compound walls now covers an area of around 5000 square feet. A Peepal, that is, the Ashwatta tree in front of the Ganapathy shrine includes the serenity of the atmosphere.
This small temple is located on the busy Kalamassery– Eloor road and there is very little space between the temple entrance and the carriageway. The temple as such appears to be perched right at the edge of the road and also hence has come to be referred to simply as ‘Road-Side Ganapathy’. Whatever the nomenclature it is called, the temple is held spiritually by the people of Kalamassery and the surrounding areas, as well as remains a very popular place of worship.

Idol

• Navagrahas
• Subrahmanya
• Parvathi

Festivals

• Maha Ganapathy
• Ganesh Chaturthi
• Gaja Pooja ( Every 4 Years in 1 Time)
• The devotees refer to elephants as Lord Ganesh’s incarnation. It has been the regular annual practice at the Mahaganapathy temple for the last 20 years to conduct a large-scale Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathy Havana and Aanayoottu on the first day of the Karkkidakom month of the Malayalam calendar.

Nearby Attractions

• Adi Shankara Janmabhumi Kshethram
• Chottanikkara Temple
• Ameda Temple
• Aluva Sree Vamanamoorthy Temple
• Ernakulam Shiva Temple
• Chottanikkara Temple

How to Reach

• By Air: The nearest airport is the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport at a distance of 8 km from the temple.
• By Train: The nearest railhead is the Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway station at a distance of 500 mts from the temple.
• By Road: Pazhavangadi is at a distance of 4 km from Thampanoor. Buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws are available frequently to reach the temple.

Temple Timings

Morning	04:30 AM to 10:45 AM
Evening	05:00 PM to 08:30 PM

Kalamassery Mahaganapathy Temple Video