Information of Shri Ganapathi Temple (Ganesha Temple), Idagunji near Murudeshwar Karnataka

Shri Ganapathi Temple in Idagunji (known as Idagunji Ganapati Temple) is one of the most famous Ganesha Temple of South India. This is a Hindu temple with main deity of Lord Ganapathi. It has a record of more than 1 million visitors in a year. This great temple is located in Idagunji village near Murudeshwar on the banks of Sharvathi River in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state in India.

Shri Ganapathi Temple (Ganesha Temple) Religious Significance

Shri Ganapathi is also known as Vinayaka and Ganesha. As per the Hindu believes, it was a tradition to pray to Vinayaka before stating any new ventures or work. Since, he is a wisdom god and popularly called as Siddhi Vinayaka. Siddhi means Success and Budhi Vinayaka means the intelligence. Similarly many devotees come here to get the blessings from the Lord Ganapathi of this temple known for his ancient presence and clear all obstacles of pilgrim's comes here with true devotions. His birth day, the Vinayaka Charthuthi is the famous festival of this temple. Many pilgrims come here on this special occasion. The other festival celebrated here are the Makara Sankranthi, Maha Shivarathri and Vijayadhashami. Apart from this festival, this temple is also visited on all Hindu celebrations of a calendar year. The very rear standing position of Lord Ganapthi is seen in this temple. This temple has the entire family of Lord Shiva. These are the Maha Shiva and his wife Parvathi along with two sons Ganesha and Murugan. This temple is also having an idol of Naradha, who took was responsible to build this temple. Hence, entire Ganapathi's family can be worshiped here in one temple visit at Idangunji.

Shri Ganapathi Temple (Ganesha Temple) Mythology & History

Sage Valakhilya was performing great yagnya (Rituals) to safeguard the earth from the passage of Dwapara Yuga to Kali Yuga. Their rituals were disturbed by the demons living in that area. All the sages took advice from the Naradha, and as per his advice new place was found near the Sharvathi River. There, he asked the sages to first offer prayers to Lord Ganapathi before starting these important rituals. The Naradha himself invited the entire Shiva Family with other heavenly abode gods to bless these rituals. Lord Shiva obeyed the Naradhas word and brought Ganapathi to earth along with his entire family. Here lord Ganapathi was very much pleased by their devotions and blessed with success for their rituals for upcoming Kali Yuga. After this even the sages performed this ritual and prayers very peacefully. The same place was identified here in the 4th century AD by few Muni's and this Ganapathi temple was built here to remember the ancient divine incident. Later on this temple was worshiped by all Hindu peoples from all over India.

Shri Ganapathi Temple (Ganesha Temple) Architectural Significance

This temple is built in the traditional Hindu model. The main entrance is a very remarkable structure. It is an arched pillar with a beautiful Kailash Mountain with Lord Shiva's family is depicted here. The Lord Shiva and Parvathi are seen in seated position with Lord Shiva holding small Ganapathi in his hands and Parvathi Devi holding his second son Lord Karthikeya. It is joined by the Naradha and a Muni. This sculpture is colored and looks very lovely on the entrance of this temple. The temple is having a 2 storied structure and has a traditional look on all side of this temple. There are many woods carving found in this temple. It main deity is of Ganapathi and is a life size statue carved in a black granite stone. This is a rear statue to see with a normal Ganapathi in a standing position with two hands holding a flower bud and his favorite sweet known as Modak.