It is Ganesh Chaturthi tomorrow and is auspicious to Indians across the globe. Today, I thought to make a list of the most popular ganesha temples in Karnataka. These temples are decades old (some even centuries old). The temples in the top 7s are made a mention in various hindu mythology books and sacred epics. Take a look to know more.
Ganesh or the elephant god is the symbol of knowledge. He is the lovely god of children and a lucky charm for professionals. He was the one who wrote India's greatest epic "The Mahabaratha". The script is divine and is next to impossible for any human form to replicate even a preface of the matter.
Even from a logical aspect, Indian elephants look very different from the African or any other Asian elephants. They are intelligent, emotional and are a symbol of unity, love and power. The elephants have always played a prominent role in wars, games like Chess and a king's strength. That is why the Indians consider them next to gods. Karnataka and Kerala are the biggest Elephant reserves in the country.
Top 7 Ganesha Temples In Karnataka
1. Kurudumalai Ganesha/ Koodumalai Ganesh - One of the gigantic Ganeshas in India. The history dates back to Ramayan when Sri Rama visits the temple to seek blessings of the Elephant god to defeat Raavan and bring Sita back to Ayodhya. The temple is about 200 kms from Bangalore and can be visited over a weekend by a taxi or public bus.
2. Idagunji Ganesha - The most famous Ganesha temple is in Honnavar of Uttar kannada. The 1500 old temple is mentioned in the dwaparayuga puranas and is famous for its distinct shape. Devotees from worldwide pay a visit to the temple and offer modaks and other sweets to their favourite god.
3. Hattiangadi Ganesha - The siddi vinayaka temple in Udupi is also as famous as the Idagunji temple. Those devotess who visit Sri Udupi Krishna temple and Kollur Mookambika temple will without fail make a visit to the Hattiangadi temple. The devotees believe that will be blessed with health, wealth and prosperity and have even had fulfillment.
4. Anegudde Ganesha - Dakshina kannada is quite famous for ganesha temples. Anegudde is close to Kundapur and many coastal families give prominence to the shrine as much as the other gods of hindu mythology. No work is commenced without uttering the name of this god.
5. Gokarna Maha Ganapathi Temple - Ganesha is also known for mischief and innocence. He saves the atma linga from demon Raavana in Gokarna and that is why the temple of Maha Ganapathi attracts tourists all over the globe and protects its devotees from all kinds of satanic influence.
6. Dodda Ganesha Temple, Bangalore - There are many ganesha temples in Bangalore but the dodda ganesha (meaning big ganesha) is the most crowded temples in the city. The massive idol can be viewed from metres away. The temple is south Bangalore is famous for the benne alankara or butter decoration to the idol.
7. Vatapi Ganapathi - Who can forget the famous song on this Ganesha? the Badami shrine (now in Tanjavur) is a lucky charm to the then Pallava kingdom. The deity brought prosperity, peace and power to the kingdom and that is why it is one of the must see travel destinations in India.
Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a family celebration but also a festival that unites the country. The elephant god is a universal symbol and is never restricted to one community or race.
Even from a logical aspect, Indian elephants look very different from the African or any other Asian elephants. They are intelligent, emotional and are a symbol of unity, love and power. The elephants have always played a prominent role in wars, games like Chess and a king's strength. That is why the Indians consider them next to gods. Karnataka and Kerala are the biggest Elephant reserves in the country.
Top 7 Ganesha Temples In Karnataka
1. Kurudumalai Ganesha/ Koodumalai Ganesh - One of the gigantic Ganeshas in India. The history dates back to Ramayan when Sri Rama visits the temple to seek blessings of the Elephant god to defeat Raavan and bring Sita back to Ayodhya. The temple is about 200 kms from Bangalore and can be visited over a weekend by a taxi or public bus.
2. Idagunji Ganesha - The most famous Ganesha temple is in Honnavar of Uttar kannada. The 1500 old temple is mentioned in the dwaparayuga puranas and is famous for its distinct shape. Devotees from worldwide pay a visit to the temple and offer modaks and other sweets to their favourite god.
3. Hattiangadi Ganesha - The siddi vinayaka temple in Udupi is also as famous as the Idagunji temple. Those devotess who visit Sri Udupi Krishna temple and Kollur Mookambika temple will without fail make a visit to the Hattiangadi temple. The devotees believe that will be blessed with health, wealth and prosperity and have even had fulfillment.
4. Anegudde Ganesha - Dakshina kannada is quite famous for ganesha temples. Anegudde is close to Kundapur and many coastal families give prominence to the shrine as much as the other gods of hindu mythology. No work is commenced without uttering the name of this god.
5. Gokarna Maha Ganapathi Temple - Ganesha is also known for mischief and innocence. He saves the atma linga from demon Raavana in Gokarna and that is why the temple of Maha Ganapathi attracts tourists all over the globe and protects its devotees from all kinds of satanic influence.
6. Dodda Ganesha Temple, Bangalore - There are many ganesha temples in Bangalore but the dodda ganesha (meaning big ganesha) is the most crowded temples in the city. The massive idol can be viewed from metres away. The temple is south Bangalore is famous for the benne alankara or butter decoration to the idol.
7. Vatapi Ganapathi - Who can forget the famous song on this Ganesha? the Badami shrine (now in Tanjavur) is a lucky charm to the then Pallava kingdom. The deity brought prosperity, peace and power to the kingdom and that is why it is one of the must see travel destinations in India.
Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a family celebration but also a festival that unites the country. The elephant god is a universal symbol and is never restricted to one community or race.
