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Here, Ganesha knows no barriers
Diwali celebrations usually know no religious boundaries as people of all communities join in bursting crackers and enjoying the sweets that accompany them.
But in this tiny hamlet of Korlahalli in Gadag district in Karnataka, Ganesh Chaturthi too has crossed all communal barriers. Not just the Hindus celebrate the festival here but also the Muslims.
Like the rest of the villagers, the Muslims too install a Ganesha idol after holding a grand procession and distribute free meals among villagers by collecting funds from the community.
The Muslims, who constitute 40 per cent of the population of over 3,000 in the village, build a pandal for installing the idol of Lord Ganesha, hold cultural programmes every night and recite a few lines from the Quran near the idol after the pooja.
On the fifth day, prayers are offered in the Islamic way for about two hours while the idol is immersed.
The Hindus offer them any help they may need to organise the celebration. In fact youth from both communities have formed a joint forum to celebrate Ganesha.
Returning the gesture, the Hindus also fast during Ramzan and are members of the local Muslim organisation.
The Muslims, for their part, readily work as office bearers of the local Hindu temple trust.
“We have been celebrating all festivals in our village to teach a lesson to those stoking communal hatred and have never witnessed any communal violence here.
We have always lived in harmony, celebrating both Ganesh Chathurthi and Ramzan together,” said a Muslim youth from the village, Chamansab Buketgar, who first began the tradition of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi among Muslims by installing a Ganesha idol in his home.
The celebration at the time was confined to his family, but soon other Muslims from the village joined in and today they look forward to the festival as much as their Hindu friends.
Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/others/here-ganesha-knows-no-barriers-433
Ganapathi Temple Idagunji, Karnataka
Idagunji is a small place in Honnavara taluk, Uttar Kannada district, which has the famous Vinayaka temple. The temple is the main attraction at Idagunji, receiving more than 1 million devotees per year.
Idagunji, Ganapathi temple is an ancient temple with a history of more than 1500 years, it is a major tourist attraction in the Karavali coast of Karnataka, India. This place has got its own name for its beautiful idol of Lord Ganapathi. The importance of Edakunj kshetra has been mentioned in the Sahyadri khand of the Skandapuran. ‘Eda’ (Wamnadi) means ‘to the left’ and ‘kunj’ means garden. The place thus got its name, as it is located on the left banks of the river Sharawati. This temple is a major piligrim spot which attracts more than 1 million devotees per year. The temple is midway between Gunavanteshwar and Murudeshwar and is 1/2 hr drive from either temple.
The Idol
The temple is quite big. The Ganesha idol is in a standing posture, with extremely short legs, and a depression on the head. The “Dwibhuja Ganapathy” or two handed Ganesha is holding Modaka and Padma (Lotus) in his hands. The idol is of black stone.
Speciality
PANCHAKHADYA is prepared for LORD GANAPATHI it is the special prasada of this temple.
Location
Idagunji is located about 14 kms south east of Honnavar taluk of North Canara District of Karnataka State India. Be it a small child, or an old man, Lord Ganesh here is very beloved with a sweet spiritual smile in his eyes. Idagunji has also got a hall which facilitates religious ceremonies and marriages in this holy shelter. Idagunji has also taken up meal facilities.
The Story
Idagunji Devasthana is an ancient temple with a history of more than 1500 years. The story of the temple is as follows. At the end of ‘Dwapara Yuga‘ great saints were praying to the Sutha-Pouranika at Badarikashrama.
Shri Krishna had implied to eliminate the on coming doshas of ‘Kaliyuga’. The divine saint, Valakhilya initated narrating the significance of Kunjavana.
Valakhilya along with other immortal saints was per forming penitential activities in a forest. They started experiencing diverse hindrance in penitentiary activities.
The holy saint was agitated by these obstacles. He sough solace and worshipped Lord Krishna. Narada the noble saint approached Valakhilya. Narada received cordial and satiate wel-come with due rituals. Valakhilya explained his difficult situation to the divine saint and requested him to suggest pragmatic solutions to deal with the obstacles on his way. Narada advised him to worship God Vigneshwara (the remover of obstacles) before starting the penance again.
After sketching out this to all the saints, Narada with the help of the saints fabricated another lake named “Devatirtha”.
He then offered to bring Ganapathi (Vinayaka) along with other Gods including the Holy Trinity. Narada approached Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara to attend the “Puja” at Kunjaranya offered by the saints. He also took the liberty of requesting Parvathi to send her son, Ganapathi to the saints for the removal of obstacles.
Valakhilya requested Narada to show him an appropriate place to worship the deity. Narada along with Valakhilya and other saints wandered westward in search of a suitable place. They came across the Sharavati river which racefully caressed and consolidated with the ocean.
Narada chalked out an exact place located a few miles away to the left of Sharavati. The place was named as Kunjaranya.
This would be a deserving place for their penitential activities. To add up to the significance of the place, Narada explained that in the past from time to time the Holy Trinity, Hari, Har and Brahma have come to this place to conduct their penance to stop the destruction of the “Asuras” (the demons). They also created lakes termed as “Chakratirtha” and “Brahmatirtha” which is truly a spiritual inspiration.
Narada’s charisma led all the Heavenly Gods along with Lord Ganapathi to attend the “Puja” with eminence and grandeur. The temple dedicated especially for this purpose was decked with attractive decor and the enormous glittering diamonds and stones. Ganapathi received the rites, rituals and ceremonious formalities on the second day of Poorvathretha Yuga Nrapavara Chanda Shakabda 813 Vibhava Samwathsara which was decided as Uttarayana Shishiraruthu Maghamasa Shukla Dwitheeya Budhavara Punarwasu Nakshatra (Uttarashadha Nakshatra Visvamuhoortha the most auspicious time by Brahma).
The great saints and Heavenly beings chanted the hymns in praise of Lord Ganapathi. Ganapathi, magnificently attired, was holding “Modhaka” and “Padma” in his hands.
Immensely pleased by the devotion rendered on him by the saints, Ganapathi expressed his desire to grant the wishes of his devotees. The other Gods were cherished and treated equivalently. They also blessed their worshippers. The other Gods appealed to go to their original places. Ganapathi emphasized his decision to stay and gratify the desires of his devotees. He also implied the Gods to leave behind a part of their omniscient power in the various lakes encompassed there.
The devotees can attain their hearts desires by dripping into the varied “Theerthas” and by offering pujas to Him. A lake was bestowed to provide water for bathing at Ganapathi’s request. It was named as “Ganeshtith”. So according to this Purana, Lord Ganapathi stayed in the place Kunjaranya which is now renowned as Idagunji.
This brief summary explains the legendary and historical significance of the sanctity place of Idagunji.
Mhatobar Shree Vinayaka Devaru has been granting the wishes of thousands of people who reguraly visit this place from year to year.
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Vara Ganapati
Vara Ganapati is one among the 32 forms of Ganesh and he has Pushti Devi as his consort. The popular belief is that this form of Ganapathi can be easily pleased and He fulfills all the desires. Vara Ganapati mantra is
Sindhoorabhimabhananam trinayam haste cha pashankushou
Bibhranam madhumat kapalamanisham sadhivindumouli bhaje
Pushtyashilshyathatanum dhvajagrakarayaa padyollasadhastyaa
Tadhyonyahita panimattamasumata patrollasat Pushkaram
Vara Ganapathi is depicted as having a vermilion complexion. This form has a third eye on the forehead. The four hands hold a crescent moon, noose, goad and Pushti Devi. The Goddess is depicted as holding lotus and a flag.
This is a happy form of Ganesha.
Exclusive temples dedicated to this form of Ganapati is very rare. But this form is found as subsidiary deity in some temples in Karnataka.
Pay Homage To Holy Ganesha At Bangalore’s One And Only Dodda Ganesha Temple
Quietly nestled in the picturesque environs of Basavanagudi lies one of Bangalores most venerated religious sites, the Dodda Ganesha Temple. Located next to the equally revered Dodda Basavana Gudi Bull Temple the shrine is also located close to famed Bugle Rock Park which features a water tank decorated with the motifs of prominent figures in Karnataka. Occupying a prime position on Bull Temple Road the Dodda Ganesha Temple is also one of the most popular landmarks in the Garden City of Bangalore.
Attracting visitors from far and wide the holy site was converted into the sprawling temple with a monumental idol by Kempegowda I who was incidentally the founding father of Bangalore. Local folklore states that the monarch was strolling in the area in ancient times when he encountered several rocks and a particular boulder which had the likeness of Lord Ganesha etched on its surface. Kempegowda I then instructed his sculptors to convert the boulder into a larger-than-life idol of the deity carved out of a single stone slab.
Renowned for its sheer size and scale the massive idol measures a whopping 18 feet in height with an equally impressive width of 16 feet. Lord Ganesha who is also known as Satya Ganapthi and Shakthi Ganapathi is believed to dwell in this venerated locale which is frequented by many a devotee in search of solace and blessings. Locals believe that the idol in the temple is expanding on its right side. Bedazzled in many a decoration due to various ceremonies throughout the week the statue is perhaps best known for being bathed in 100kg of butter (or Benne Alankara) during festival time. The butter coated idol is undoubtedly one of the most unique sights in Bangalore with a whopping 100kg of Benne or butter used in a single coating.
Pilgrims and visitors can visit the temple from 7 am to 12.30 in the afternoon while the temple reopens at 5.30pm before closing for the day at 8.30pm every day.
Ganesha festival celebrated with fervour in Karnataka
Bangalore: Prayers were offered in temples and at community pandals today as Ganesh festival was celebrated across Karnataka with religious gaiety and fervour. Devotees brought idols of the elephant-headed God to their homes and offered sweet delicacies ‘modak’ and ‘poli’. Resplendent rangolis adorned houses while several temples were decked up for the occasion. Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda along with his family members visited the Ganesha temple at Malleshwaram here early in the morning and offered prayers. Rains in Udupi did not deter devotees from celebrating the festival.
Kshipra Ganapati
Among the 32 forms of Hindu God Ganesha, Kshipra Ganapati is the form that satisfies a devotee immediately. The belief is that Kshipra Ganapathi gives boons and blessings immediately. The Kshipra Ganapati Mantra isRelated articles
- Vatapi Ganapatim (sujamusic.wordpress.com)
- Adipureeswarar Temple of Chintadripet (socyberty.com)
- Sabarimala temple opened for Vishu (hindu.com)
