Read More on Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple
History
The Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple's history dates back to the days when the kingdom of Travancore was at war at the Padmanabhapuram front. One of the soldiers in the army was an ardent believer of Lord Ganesha. He was the one who found the idol in a river and considered it to be a blessing. The soldier placed the idol at Padmanabhapuram.
In 1795 AD, the capital of Travancore was switched to Thiruvananthapuram and the idol was also shifted to where it resides today that is Pazhavangadi. This temple of Trivandrum is looked after by the Indian Army.
It is believed by the locals that back in those days when the soldier found the Ganapathy idol, the army stationed at Padmanabhapuram was being frightened by a Yakshi during the night. The soldier who was the devotee of Ganapathy was stationed at the location and he felt safe because he believed that the almighty was always with him. After he came across the idol of Ganapathy he carried it with him everywhere and there were no signs of Yakshi.
Architecture
The Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple structure is jet black which is slightly against the things that black signifies. Black is often used to represent emotions of sadness and anger, it also signifies mystery, power, and elegance.
The temple looks very sophisticated and elegant because the structure is an extraordinary blend of the South Indian as well as Dravidian styles of architecture. The temple houses two idols one is of Lord Ganesh and another one is of Lord Vishnu. One idol of lord Ganapathy is made of pure granite whereas the other one is made up of pure gold. The idol of Lord Ganesha relaxes classily with his right knee folded under him.
Followed by the idol of Lord Vishnu which is unique too as the idol here reclines on the serpent named Anantha. The surprising part of it is that this idol is made from the amalgamation of herbs, Kudusarkara and Salagramam. It is decorated with gold jewels and various expensive stones. There are idols of Lord Ayyappa, Nagaraja, Brahmarakshaks, and Goddess Durga in the temple.
Activities
- Offer silent prayers and make wishes.
- You can even try offering vazhipadu.
- Take part in the prayer sessions performed daily.
- If you plan to visit the temple during the festive season then it is best because the temple may be a bit crowded but the decorations and the prayer sessions are worth attending.
- One can visit the Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple during the following festivals:
- Vinayaka Chaturthi
- Varad Chaturthi
- Sankashti Chaturthi
- If you wish to attend ceratin poojas performed in the temple then you should attend the following:
- Makaravilakku Pooja (January)
- Shivratri Pooja
- Niraputhari
- Vishukkani
- Sahasra Kalasabhishekam
- Navratri
- Vijaya Dasami
- Thiruvonam
Tips for visiting
- The temple is often crowded because not just travelers but also devotees and locals visit it on regular basis.
- Do not create any sort of disturbance during the prayer sessions or in the temple complex.
- There is a dress code required to be followed by everyone visiting the temple. Men are not allowed to wear shirts inside the sanctum. They must wear traditional Kerala Mundu or the dhotis.
- Women can wear only traditional clothes. It is compulsory to carry a dupatta and wear clothes that are below the knees, length-wise. The sleeves should also be of appropriate length.
- Footwear is not allowed inside the temple.
- Do not litter inside or around the temple premises.
- If you have any queries ask the locals or the temple authorities.
Best time to visit
The Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple is a temple that can be visited throughout the year. If you want to see the temple well decorated then you should try to visit during the festive season. You can visit the temple during festivals like Vinayak Chaturthi, Varad Chaturthi, Sankashti Chaturthi, and Angarak Sankashti.
Nearby Atractions
- Vellayani Devi Temple
- Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple
- Attukal Bhagavathy Amman Temple
- Karikkakom Sri Chamundi Temple
Nearby market/ shopping places
As the temple is situated in a remote area so there are no markets available for shopping or purchasing. For shopping purposes, you should visit Trivandrum city.
Nearby Hotels
- Hotel Fort View
- Hotel Asliyya Grand
- Uday Suites
- Samrat Hotel
- Hotel Highland Park
- Mannil Regency
- Hotel Galaxy Inn
- Pravin Tourist Home
- Hotel Venus International
Interesting Facts About Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple
- It is believed that people who can not control their stubbornness should for sure visit this temple as this place is known to cure the mentioned issue.
- The key feature that makes the temple stand out is the jet black color of the temple structure which is mostly not a color Indians can visualize a temple in.
- One idol of lord Ganapathy is made of pure granite whereas the other one is made up of pure gold.
