Madurai Mukkuruni Vinayagar Temple
Madurai Mukkuruni Vinayagar Temple is one of the ancient and popular temples in Tamil Nadu. The temple is believed to be 2500 years old. The important feature of the temple is, that is constructed and designed as per the Agama Sirpa Sastra (the Hindu mythology used for constructing temples). The temple can be visited by anyone irrespective of caste, creed and community. Apart from the main Vinayaka Shrine, there are also other deities present in this temple, like Meenakshi Amman (Goddess Parvati) and Sundarashewar (Lord Shiva). The tall sculpture of Ganesh carved of single stone located outside the Sundareswarar shrine in the path from Meenakshi shrine is called the Mukuruni Vinayakar.
HISTORY
Once everyone teased Lord Ganesha for sitting idle with his huge belly. Then once they decided to find some employment for themselves, Lord Ganesha took the form of young boy and asked for employments from the locals. Innocently Lord Ganesha asked for three moonru Kurranai grains. He completed the work and earned the grains from their Lord earned the name Mukkuruni. He offered these grains to goddess Parvati but she insisted his son to offer Lord Shiva. Lord Ganesha went to his father Lord Shiva, little he knew about the whole idea; he emptied all the three sacks of kurranai grains on Lord Ganesha.
IMPORTANCE|SIGNIFICANCE
The colourful carvings and beauty of the architecture simply makes a special place in the heart of every pilgrims visiting here. The important thing one would observe here is in the sculptures lord Shiva is dancing with its right leg, which is a rare vision. These things are hardly found in other temples of the country. The idol of ganesha is prayed for removing the obstacles from the life and for bringing well-being in our lives. The Hindus also pray Ganesha before starting new ventures or avenues. In the religious ceremonies too, Lord Ganesha is prayed first.
FACTS/MYTHOLOGY
The temple priests brilliantly follow the ancestral culture values. The Vinayagar Chaturthi Festival is celebrated in the Tamil Month of Avani. The festival here is celebrated with great pomp. It is believed that KoluKatti a famous south Indian dish is the most favorite dish of Lord Ganesha. This is made of 18 Kgs of rice. A unique concept of Prasadam is best experienced here. Apart from that the temple priests and pilgrims do offer different variants of sweets and flowers on daily basis. Idols and sculptures here are beautifully dressed up with ornaments and flower garlands. On and average approximately on daily basis the temple does welcome few thousands of local and international patrons.
FESTIVALS/EVENTS/GATHERINGS
In the Madurai Mukkuruni Vinayagar Ganesh Temple Madurai Tamil Nadu the crowd is simply unbelievable during the Vinayagar Chaturthi Festival basically for 10 days the lord is pampered gently with variety of sweets and flowers. The temple Whole heartedly does differently decors the temple with the lightings and different colour. At the entrance early in the morning huge Rangoli (drawing with colour) is done up to enhance the beauty. The place gives us a pleasant feel and divine vibration all together. Once if we pray in the temple, it is believed that the lord will fulfil all our wishes.
“OM SRI MUKKURUNI MOOSHIKA VINAYAKA NAMO NAMAHA”
DEVELOPED BY
R. HARISHANKAR