Sri Kamandala Ganapati Temple
(IPLTOURS)
In the Hindu tradition, Lord Ganesh is the head of all deities and receive the first worship of all activities and worships. Mundkatiya Ganapati Temple is located at Gaurikund near Kedarnath Jyotirlinga in the state of Uttarakhand and is one among the two of the Ganapati temples formed due to Goddess Parvati. Lord Ganesh appears here without head and only with a torso. When Lord Shiva came to Kailasa, Parvati made a boy with her four flours and gave life to the boy. She kept the boy keep him as guard and gone to take bath. Shiva came and cut off the head of the boy with a trident in anger as he was intercepted by the boy. Later, at Parvati’s request, Lord Shiva attached Gajasur’s head to the boy’s torso and gave re-birth to the boy naming Gajanana. Gajanan was later blessed as the head of Gana. He was ordained as the first worshiper by the Lord Shiva, Maa Parvthi and all deities and deities. The worship of Hindus of any god does not begin without worship Vinayaka primarily. There are several temples of Lord Ganesh in all parts of the country.
Similarly, Goddess Parvati was enshrined Ganapati in the Kamandala Ganapati Temple at Kesave village of Koppa taluk in Chikmagalur district of the state of Karnataka, before performing penance to alleviate the suffering caused by the powerful Saturn planet one among the nine planets. The small temple has historical significance and was built around one thousand years ago. Kesave village is located on the border of Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts. The temple is located at a distance of 61 km from the district headquarters Chikmagalur, 11 km from the taluk headquarters Koppa,71 km from Shimoga and 293 km from the state capital Bangalore. This temple is at a short distance of 40 k.m. from Sringeri. Chikmagalur and Shimoga can be reached by train but from there pilgrims can reach Keshave by road.
According to local mythology, Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva, faced many problems due to the perversion of Saturn Planet. Maa Parvati considered Saturn’s afflictions to be burdensome. The gods advised Goddess Parvati to make penance about Saturn on the ‘earth’. Parvati searched for a suitable place on earth to perform penance and considered a place called Mrigavadhe, 18 km from the present temple suitable for her penance. Legend is that Ganesh was created in the form of a bachelor
(Brahmachari). Goddess Parvati enshrined Ganapati to get rid of Shani dosh and not to get hinder to her penance. The ‘Saturn Dosha’ of Goddess Parvati was solved in this temple. Devotees can also visit the place where Goddess Parvati performed penance.
According to legends, Lord Ganesh enshrined by Goddess Parvati in the ‘Sukhasana’ posture appears in the form of a bachelor wearing a Kamandala, with the beloved ‘Modakam’ in one hand and the ‘Abhaya Hastha’ print in the other. Pushkarini in front of Ganesha is in the shape of a lotus. The water in the Pushkarini always touches Ganapati throughout the year. According to the local legend, Pushkarini is the source of Brahmi river. Hence Pushkarini called as Brahma Tirtham and Ganapati for appearing wearing a Kamandala as Kamandala Ganapathi. It is believed that Goddess Parvati created the Tirtha for the benefit of the devotees. The water that reaches the ground from the hills and appears in the Pushkarini has many medicinal properties.
From here, the Brahmin River originates, travels long distance and joins the Tunga River. It is said that all the sins committed are lost on visit of Kamandala Ganapathi.
The temple is very sacred as Lord Ganesha fulfils the wishes of the devotees who visit the temple. Devotees meditate Ganapati in this temple and receive the blessings of Ganesha.
Ganesha is the primary God who provides success in education and knowledge. He called with several names like Gana Nayak, Ganapati, Ganesha and Vigneswara as he is a destroyer of hurdles (vignamulu).Devotees can fulfill all their desires at once by simply visiting the temple or doing service or meditation to Kamandala Ganapati in the temple. Kamandala Ganapati Temple is a solution for people with ‘Shani Dosham’. The temple is of utmost importance as a solution to the problems of the devotees who are suffering with ‘Shani Dosha’ from all over the country. Devotees believe that drinking of water here will cure many ailments. The ‘Kamandala Tirtha’ in the Kamandala Ganapati Temple is famous all over the country. Devotees take bath with Puskarini water to get relief from all their ailments and mainly to overcome the ‘Saturn Dosha’. Many pilgrims visit this temple to take a tirtha and get rid of all the ailments. Kamandala Ganapati Darshan is a boon especially for students. Ganapati as ‘Vidya Ganapati’ is the provider of knowledge to overcome failures in education and excel in education. Although the Kamandala Ganapati Temple is a unique temple, it is not became popular.
The temple is open from 7.30 am to 12-00 pm. Pujas will not be performed after 12-00 noon. Therefore, pilgrims want to visit this temple, it is best to visit at early morning. Accommodation is not available in the village and pilgrims have to stay in Chikmagalur or Shimoga.
OME GAM GANAPATHENAMAH
