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.