Sumukha

6 | Interesting aspects of Vinayakar in Tamil Nadu temples

This blog’s focus is on temples in Tamil Nadu, so let us dwell on that a little, with a focus on Vinayakar.

Outside of exclusive Vinayakar temples, the Vinayakar in a larger Siva temple is often given a generic name like Maha Ganapati, Kannimoolai Ganapati, Raja Ganapati, etc.

Like Siva in many respects (indeed, one of the 108 names of Vinayakar is “Siva”), Vinayakar can be playful or even quick to anger, but it is usually with reason, and He doesn’t stay angry for long. And so, the sthala puranam of many temples in Tamil Nadu temples are also connected to Vinayakar, and He is often named in that context. Let’s take a look at a few (you can see all posts associated with Vinayakar, here). So, before we finish, let us take a quick look at some of these.

– At Tirunaraiyur, Polla Pillaiyar accepted Nambiyandar Nambi’s offering in the presence of Raja Raja Chola

– At Tirunattiyathankudi, Kai Kaati Vinayakar pointed out Siva and Parvati’s location to Sundarar

– At Nagapattinam, Nagabharana Vinayakar wears a snake around His neck, as an ornament

– At Tirukodikkaa, Karaiyetriya Vinayakar helped the sages cross the river which was in spate

– At Aakkoor, Poyya Pillaiyar appeared in disguise and helped cure the king of a disease

– At Anbil, Sevi Saaitha Vinayakar tilted His head to the side to better listen to Sambandar’s songs

– At Tirupanaiyur, Thunai Irundha Vinayakar protected Karikala Chola and his mother for 8 years inside the temple

– At Tirupunkur, Kinaru Vettiya Vinayakar foresaw Nandanar’s visit and helped dig a well overnight, for Nandanar’s ritual bath

– At Vedaranyam, Veera Hatthi Cheta Vinayakar helped Rama get rid of the dosham caused by killing Ravana’s army

– At Therazhundur, Gnanasambanda Vinayakar or Vazhikaatti Vinayakar showed Sambandar the way to the temple

– At Ampal, Padikasu Vinayakar gave a cup which would fill itself with gold, to the king to help him feed his subjects during a time of famine

– At almost all temples near Kuttalam, such as the one at Mela Tirumananjeri, which are associated with the Siva-Parvati wedding, Thunai Vanda Vinayakar is present, as He accompanied Parvati to Bhulokam

Also interestingly, there is a Kumbhakarna Vinayakar at the Swarnapureeswarar temple at Andankoil, 32 Vinayakar shrines at Avinashiappar temple in Avinashi, and multiple Vinayakar shrines inside the Koneswarar temple at Kudavasal.

May Vighneswara remove all the obstacles in our path, help us keep our ears open just like Himself to absorb more of the world, shower His blessings on us, and keep us going strong in our respective lives.

Previous: Vinayakar Worship.