Chandanakkavu Ganapathi Temple

Chandanakkavu Ganapathi
By
P.R.Ramachander
This unique temple managed by Shaiva Vellalars of Tamil Nadu is situated in a place
called Chandakkavu which is about 16 km from the town of Aleppy. It seems that a large
number of Shaiva Vellalars migrated to places near Aleppy in search of job. One of them
brought a Ganapathi statue from Shanrkaranayinr koil in Tirunelveli district of
TamilNadu. Initially a small temple was built in a place called Purakkadu , which was in
the shores of the sea. Once this temple was destroyed by the sea waves. Then they
requested the king of Champagaserry to allot them land to build a temple of their own.
The king gave them 3 acres in Chandanakkavu initially they only built a Ganapathi
temple. Later they added a Durga of Ujjaini with 18 hands. She is called as
Mutharamman in this temple and is the family deity of the Vellalars. Slowly they added
Lord Shiva, Brahma rakshas, Yogini devi, Madasamy, Bhairavaswamy, Nagaraja and
Naga Yakshi, Madasamy and Bhairavasamy are the guardian Gods of some of these
families.
The most important festival of the Ganapathi temple is Vinayaga Chathurthi. That day a
maha Ganapathi Homam is held there. Besides this every Friday a Ganapathi homam is
also conducted.
The shiva temple which is in the north east is considered as very important.
Mruthyunjaya Homam leading to long life is conducted here on request. Shivarathri is
celebrated in a grand scale.On that day little children will bring all the necessities of
Pooja on a Kavadi from the nearby Saraswathi Temple.
There are special poojas for Mutharamman during the Mandala period. On the tenth
day of Chithirai (Meda masam), Pongal is offered by ladies to Mutharamman.