Uchishta Ganapathi Temple, Mehalingapuram, Thirunelveli

Uchishta Ganapathi Temple, Mehalingapuram, Thirunelveli

Uchishta Ganapathi Temple is located in Mehalingapuram in Thirunelveli Town in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is one of the rare temples of Vinayagar with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. The temple is massive in size with huge compound walls. This is the biggest Uchishta Ganapathi temple in whole of Asia.

Legends

Uchishta Ganapathy is one of the 32 forms of Vinayaka.  While he is considered as a Brahmmachari, seeing him embracing a woman is explained as his granting child boon. Uchchhishta Ganapathi is a Tantric aspect of the Hindu god Ganesha (Ganapathi). He is the primary deity of the Uchchhishta Ganapatya sect, one of six major schools of the Ganapatyas. He is worshipped primarily by heterodox vamachara rituals. He is depicted with a nude goddess, in an erotic iconography. He is one of the thirty-two forms of Ganesha, frequently mentioned in devotional literature. 

Herambasuta was one of the exponents of the Uchishta Ganapatya sect. The god derives his name from Uchchhishta ("leftovers"). The word refers to the food left over at the end of a ritual, but in this context refers to its Tantric connotation. Uchchhishta is the food kept in the mouth, which is contaminated with saliva, thus ritually impure and a taboo in Hinduism.

The Temple

The temple is massive in size with huge compound walls. Uchishta Ganapathy is one of 32 forms of Vinayagar in a posture of embracing a woman with his Trunk on the naval of a woman. This is rare when Vinayagar is said to be a Brahmmachari.  Devotees believe that worshipping Ganapathi in this form will reward them with a child of great characters. The temple has a five tier main tower-Rajagopuram. There is a long open space after the tower to enter the temple. 

There are no idols in the Mahamandapam. The length and height of the long dilapidated compound wall is evidence of the size of the temple. Lord Vinayaka graces in the sanctum sanctorum with his Trunk on the naval of a woman. There is also such a Vinayaka form in the Sankaranarayana temple in Sankarankoil. No Vinayaka in any temple has such a form. There is a small shrine for Nellaippar in this temple.

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 6.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Festivals

Vinayaka Chaturthi is very devotionally celebrated in Avani month covering August-September English months.

Prayers

It is the faith of the devotees that Uchishta Ganapathi will reward the devotees with child boon. Devotees perform abishek and offer vastras to Lord Ganapathi. Devotees believe that worshipping Ganapathi in this form will reward them with a child of stellar characters and totally free from fiendish traits.

Contact

Uchishta Ganapathi Temple,

Mehalingapuram, Near New Bypass Road,

Thirunelveli – 627 001

Mobile: +91 94433 68596 / 94431 57065

Connectivity

Uchishta Ganapathi Temple is located in Mehalingapuram in Thirunelveli Town. Those coming from Madurai have to turn at Thirunelveli Bypass Road and proceed 1 km further where lies the Mehalingapuram turning. There is a sign board guiding to the temple. The temple is located on the banks of Tambiraparani. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thirunelveli and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.