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Ganapathiyar Kovil At Kanjirappally History – Mahaganapathy Temple

Ganapathiyar Kovil is located at Kanjirappally in Kottayam district, Kerala. There are two temples here known as Thekke Ganapathiyar and Vadakke Ganapathiyar. The main deities in both the temple are Ganapathy.

Thekke Ganapathiyar temple was built in 1150 CE. The temple was built by Nattukottai Chettiar who arrived from Tamil Nadu to business in the region. The temple is built in granite stone including the roof.

Vadakke Ganapathiyar temple was built in 1450 CE. This temple was built by Vellala community that had arrived here from Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. The permission for building the temple was given by Thekkumkoor king. Shiva, Bala Ganapathi and Subramanya are worshipped on a single peedam in Vadakke Ganapathiyar temple.

The temple remained closed when Colonel Monroe was the Diwan of Travancore. The temple was later taken over by the British. The copper doors of the temple were auctioned away.

The murtis worshipped in the temple went missing for several years. The temple was later reopened due to the efforts of villagers under the leadership of Swami Athuradas. The Ganapati murti was retrieved from the temple pond.

The most important festivals observed in the temple are Shivratri and Vinayaka Chaturthi.