Nandrudayan Vinayaka Temple, Trichy
Nandrudayan
Vinayaka Temple is a Hindu
Temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha located in East
Boulevard Road in the neighbourhood of Devathanam in Trichy City in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. This
is a unique temple that has a sannidhi with Vinayaka having a Human face. The
temple has been spoken of by Kanchi Mahaperiyava for its Nara mukha Ganapathy (Human
faced Ganapathy). It is a very old temple which was originally part of the
Rockfort Temple Complex.
History
The Nandrudayan
Vinayaka Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Trichy city. The Seventh Century Tamil Saint Sambandar
had in one of his pathigams praised the presiding deity of the temple thereby
indicating that this is one of the oldest temples in Sirappalli (Trichy). The
temple has been glorified by Kanchi Maha Periyavar Sri Chandra Sekharendra Saraswathi
Swamy.
The
Temple
The
temple is built in the Dravidian style of architecture. The five-foot tall majestic presiding deity of the
temple - Nandrudayan Vinayagar adorning a Nagabaranam around his waist, has a
Naganandhi facing him at the Eastern entrance of the temple. It may be
mentioned that Nandi Deva is generally associated with Siva Temples only. The
Temple boasts of the unique Adi Vinayagar granite idol depicting Lord Ganesha
with his original divine face without the usual elephantine head and the trunk.
The
four-foot tall Adi Vinayagar is installed in a separate shrine close to
the sanctum sanctorum and the divine grace of the brilliantly
sculptured granite idol is indeed captivating. In the one hand Lord Ganesha
holds the axe, symbolizing the destruction of all desires, a rope to indicate
his willingness to rescue anyone from the mire of vasanas, the modaka
representing the joyous reward of spiritual life, and lotus symbolizing that
all can achieve the supreme state of self-realization.
The
large belly of Ganesha is to convey the idea that a Man of Perfection can
consume and digest whatever experience he undergoes. The tiny rat which is
seated in front of the Lord amidst a rich collection of food is to indicate
that a perfect man - like the rat, will have total control over his desires.
There is
also a separate shrine with a 4-foot statue of Adi Vinayaka within the temple
complex. There are idols of Adi
Sankara, Veda
Vyasa, Gayatri, Sadasiva Brahmendra and Pattinathar within the smaller shrine. Just behind
the sanctum sanctorum an Anjaneya shrine has been established and the
temple has separate shrines for Lord Muruga, the Navagrahas, Goddess Durga and
Lord Ayyappa in the other Mandapam.
Festivals
Special
poojas are performed for Adi Vinayagar on Thursdays. In the annual music
festival conducted for the past 83 years almost all leading musicians have
participated.
Connectivity
The
Temple is situated in East Boulevard road in Devadhanam in Trichy City. The
Temple is located at about 1 Km from Singarathoppu Bus Stop, 300 meters from
Trichy Town Railway Station, 11 Kms from Trichy Railway Station, 2 Kms from Trichy
Fort Railway Station, 11 Kms from Trichy Central Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Trichy
Chatiram Bus Station and 12 Kms from Trichy Airport.
Location
