Puliakulam Vinayagar Temple, Coimbatore Overview

Mundhi Vinayagar Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, is also called Arulmigu Mundhi Vinayagar Temple located in Puliakulam district of Coimbatore. The most important feature of the grand temple that makes is a major attraction in the city is the idol of Lord Ganesha which, at the height of 20 feet and width of 11 feet, is the largest idol of the deity carved in stone. Because of its size, the magnificent idol is also Asia's largest idol of Lord Ganesh. The temple is located on a bustling main road and provides for a quick escape from the chaos. The majestic aura of Lord Ganesha cannot be missed even from outside the temple. Devotees are drawn to the temple in large numbers to absorb the divine power of the lord.

The temple priests perform all the important poojas on several occasions and request of the devotees. Lord Ganesha is often offered prayers before beginning any important venture in Hindus and performing poojas and offering flowers and coconuts before starting a work day is believed to be highly auspicious. The deity, also known as Vignaharta, is also associated with relieving suffering and pain. The idol of Lord Ganesha is an illustration of attentive work and mathematical calculation as well. The sculptors who created the idol are said to have gone through a meticulous search operation to choose the right stone and then carve and move the idol to the location of the temple. The dedication of the sculptors can be seen in the majestic aura of the idol.

Ganesha Idol at Puliakulam Vinayagar Temple

Puliakulam Vinayagar Temple Coimbatore — Source

The idol of Lord Ganesha in the Mundhi Vinayagar Temple stands about 20 feet tall and is over 11 feet broad sculpted from a single massive rock by 21 highly skilled sculptors. They searched for a flawless rock to sculpt and dug one from a 20 feet deep pit. They then began working on the idol which took about six years to complete. After the sculpture was ready, the idol weighing 190 tonnes was relocated to the location where the temple stands in about 20 days using chains, a wooden platform on wheels and ropes.

The idol is seen sitting on a gigantic lotus flower with a pot of nectar on his trunk which circles to the right. This pot is also commonly referred to as the Amrut Kalash and symbolises blessings from Mahalakshmi, the Goddess the Wealth in Hindu religion. The idol has four hands, one that holds a piece of ivory to write the Mahabharata, one holding the Angusa, one holding a jackfruit and the fourth holding a whip. The serpent, Vasuki, can be seen wrapped around his hips and there is another lotus flower seen as an offering to Lord Ganesha on his right foot.

Major Festivals at Mundhi Vinayagar Temple

Vinayaka Chaturthi: This festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesha and is celebrated between August and September. On this auspicious day, devotees flock to the temple in large numbers to offer their prayers to Lord Ganesha. The idol is decorated with flower garlands, princely attire and ornaments which are also called 'Raja Alankaram'. A ritual abhisheka is also performed early in the morning in the temple.

Tamil New Year: Celebrated on 14th of April every year, the festival is called Chithirai Kani in regional language. Devotees visit the temple to offer prayers, donate fruits and vegetables and offer alankaram to the deity. The food items donated at the temple are used for preparing Prasada after the Tamil New Year Rituals and distributed to the devotees.

Sankatahara Chaturthi: It is celebrated every fortnight according to the Hindu calendar. Fasting and offering prayers to Lord Ganesha is believed to be very auspicious on this day.