Madhur Ganapathi Temple, also known as Madhur Sree Madanantheshwara Siddhivinayaka Temple, is 8 km northeast of Kasaragod town in Kasaragod district, Kerala. Madhur Ganapathi Temple festival 2024 date is April 14 to April 18. The 5-day annual festival in the temple begins with kodiyettam on Vishu.
The annual festival is known as Madhur Bedi. On the fourth day the utsava moorthi (Thidambu) is taken out in a procession. During the five days various folk arts and s and Yakshagana are performed.
A unique festival known as Mudappa Seva is held once in 30 years in the temple. This festival is dedicated to Ganapathi. The ritual involves 12 mooda rice (450 kg).
A temporary fence is erected around the Ganpati murti using sugarcane sticks. This temporary fence is known as nalukettu. The top of the fence is covered with silk cloth. Appam, coconut and ashta dravya are placed on the cloth. This ritual is known as Moodappa Seva.
Nithya Sheeveli is observed from Diwali day to Medam 15 (end of April) in the temple.
Another important festival observed in the temple is Ganesh Chaturthi.
As per history, hundreds of years ago a Harijan woman named Maduru was clearing shrubs in the southwest part of the present temple compound known as ulayathdukkayil. Her sword accidently hit a shila and blood started oozing out from it. This led to discovery of the swayambhu shivling in the temple. Mayappadi king, the ruler of the region, had a dream that night in which he was asked to consecrate the Shivling at Madhuri.
The main deity worshipped in the temple is swayambhu Shiva and the deity faces east. The sanctum sanctorum is in the shape of backside of an elephant – Gaja Prishta Kovil.
The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Madhur Ganapathi, Subrahmanya, Durga Parameshwari and Narasimha.
Madhur Ganapathi Unique Murti – Story
Madhur Ganapathi is found on the outside of the south side wall of the sanctum sanctorum of Shiva. The Ganapati is of more importance today and thus today the temple is famous as Madhur Ganapathi temple.
Legend has it that to avoid any kind of troubles and obstructions while doing tapas and penance here, a yogeswaran drew Ganapathi on the wall here. But later it was found that the drawing got transformed into a murti or vigraha. The murti is of kadu sharkara yogam – a special kind of murti found in certain rare Kerala temples.
Usually Ganpati murti is found with left side tusk broken. But the right side tusk of Madhur Ganapathi is broken.
The temple was one among the most important temples of Mayappadi kings.
There is a well in the temple in which sun rays never fall. The water in this well has medicinal properties and is distributed as cure of all kinds of diseases.
There are two mounds on the west and east side of the temple. It is believed that 12 feet below the mounds there are treasure hidden. The treasure is to be unearthed only when there is no money to maintain the temple on a daily basis.
The main offering in the temple is a sweet Appa.
Madhur Ganapathi Temple Architecture
The designs of the welcome pillar (dhwaja stambha) as well as the sculpted wooden door-frames are a reflection of the high standards of art and rich architecture of ancient Hindus. The wooden pillars which support the roofs, inside the temple are an example of the technical expertise and professionalism of ancient Hindu architecture. The sculptures on the outer portion of the upper storey are a classic example of their artistry. They have been sculpted with laterite, plaster and wood. The ceiling has exquisite wooden carvings of scenes from the Ramayana, right from Putrakameshti Yagna up to Seetha Swayamvaram.
The temple is a vast storehouse of ancient Hindu architecture, sculptural art as well as carvings from the epics and folk tales and rightfully needs to be preserved for the benefits of future generations. The sculptures, art and architecture of the temple is world class and comparable to any sculptural art worldwide.
The ceiling of the Namaskara Mandapam of the temple is decorated with beautiful wooden carvings based on Puranas and Ramayana. The Mandapam inside the temple Garbha gruham (sanctum sanctorum) as well as the outside façade of the second and third stories of the main building are also profuse with attractive and exquisite stone and wooden carvings.
The temple has a U shape (Gaja Prishta) with a three-tiered dome. The top two storeys have copper plate roofing while the lowest has tile-roofing. The intricately carved wooden pillars and beams inside the temple compound speak volumes about the skill of the craftsmen of a bygone era. The walls and roofs of the temple are decorated with stucco images depicting scenes from Hindu scriptures. The Namaskara Mandapam (the pavilion in front of the sanctum sanctorum) is decorated with wooden carvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana.