Mottai Vinayakar temple is located in the heart of Madurai city which is famous for its Meenakshi Amman temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha. As per the lengends, Goddess Parvati created a youth for her security and named him Lord Ganapathi. Goddess Parvathi appointed him as the security for her kingdom. When Devas came kingdom for worship, Lord Ganapathi refused to let them in. When they tried to trespass, Lord Ganapathi fought and drove them away. The Devas went to Lord Shiva and appealed to him to enable them to worship Goddess Parvathi. Lord Shiva came to Lord Ganapathi and held talks with him. Lord Ganapathi maintained his determination and refused entry to Lord Shiva. Out of Agguish Lord Shiva chopped off the head of Lord Ganapathi. Goddess parvathi pleaded with the Lord to give her son life again. Lord shiva fixed the head of an elephant and elevated him to the highest status of being number one and ordered that all must worship the deities in the temples only after worshipping Lord Ganapathi. Lord Shiva also made Lord Ganapathi, the head of his security force. As a representation of this incident Lord Ganapathi appears in this temple without head as Mottai Vinayaka.
Temple History
According to history the temple belongs to the period of Pandya King Chandrasekara pandian who ruled Madurai in the year 1530 AD. Goddess Parvathi with consorts of Lord Shiva created a boy for her security and named him as Lord Ganapathi. Goddess Parvathi handed over the total security of the state to him. Devas who used to worship Goddess Parvathi, once visited the state of Goddess Parvathi. As in charge of security Lord Ganapathi refused to give permission to seek gods blessings. When they insisted on their point, fight between Lord Ganapathi drove them away Devas then took the matter to Lord Siva and sought his help to see Goddess Parvathi. Lord Siva responded to Devas request and came to meet Lord Ganapathi. He had a talk with him and Lord Ganapathi refused to obey his orders. The Lord Shiva got angry and chopped off the Lord Ganapathi head. On knowing about the incident Goddess Parvathi pleaded with Lord Siva to give his son life for second time. Accepting the request of Goddess Parvathi, Lord Siva fixed the head of an elephant and made Lord Ganapathi to the highest grade. He also ordered that the devotees must pray Lord Ganapathy before they do anything or start anything new. This also applies to Lord Siva and is followed in all temples and all festivals of Hindu community. Later Lord Ganapathi was made head of his security force.
Speciality of this temple is Lord Ganesha is always identified with elephant head & trunk. But here the main deity at the temple has no head and hand. Doctors in the hospitals of the area undertake surgeries only after offering a coconut to Lord Vinayaka. Traders place the keys of their shop and ofice keys at the feet of Lord Vinayaka before starting their daily business. Hence the Lord Vinayaka is praised as Vyapara Pillaiyar. Aspicious festival celebrated in the temple are Ganesha Chathurthi which attracts hundreds of devotees from nearby places.
Do s:
-
Do pray Your Ishta Devata before Pilgrimage to temple
-
Do Contact Temple Devasthanam information center for inquiry ,temple information and for pooja details etc.
-
Do Do reserve your travel and accommodation at temple well in advance.
-
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple
-
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
-
Do maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
-
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Don't s:
Temple Pedia
Devotion
Statues & Paintings
Fashion & Jewellery
