Ganapathi Agraharam is a small village of Papanasam Taluk, in the district of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is famous for its panoramic beauty of agricultural fields and the river Cauvery flowing amidst them.
Ganapathi Agrahram is named after the most famous Lord Maha Ganapathi temple situated in this village.
Temples in Ganapathi Agraharam
There is a famous Maha Ganapthi (Ganesha) temple here. The lord has been installed by Sage Agastya and has been worshipped by Sages like Gautama Maharishi. The temple deity (Ganesha) is considered to be very powerful by the people.
There is one Shiva temple, Shri Varadaraja Perumal temple(Vishnu), Draupadi DraupadiAmman temple and Ayyanar temple also in this village.
Streets and Localities
Ganapathi Agraharam is a village Panchayat and the main Agraharam has South Street, North Street and West Street apart from other main areas.
The Great Maha Ganapathi Temple lies at one corner of where South and North Street join.
The temple is adjoined by Shri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, A Ther Mutti and a vast stretch of agricultural fields. Both South and North street houses are made in typical Agraharam style.
Festivals and Occasions
Shri Vinayaka Chathurthi every year in this temple is a grand festival season. The festival begins before Vinayaka Chaturthi to worship Lord Maha Ganapathi and get His divine blessings.
People from many other places come to this temple during this season for Pooja and worship. Vedic Gurus are invited to chant all the 4 Vedas every day in the festival.
The festivity of the temple begins with Summer Festival Rajagopuram Anniversary also known as “Palkudam Festival” or “Aandu Vizha” performed on “Panguni Anusham” day.
Beginning in 2009, “Pavithra Utsavam” has been initiated for Maha Ganapathi every year.
Maha Kumbabishekam was performed on 29 June 2012. Nearly 20000 people participated in the event and had the blessings of Lord Maha Ganapathi.
People in this village never perform the special Pujas for Lord Vinayaka in their homes, because they deeply believe in Lord Maha Ganapathi who really resides in the temple.
During Vinayaka Chathurthi, people from the Agraharam prepare Modhakam and offer to Lord Ganesha at the temple. Unlike other places throughout India, clay idols of Ganesha are not made in Ganapathi Agraharam, and no Pooja is performed at home in this village.
