Famous Ganesha Temples

Lord Ganesha, the Lord of Lords in Hindu mythology is associated with prosperity, wisdom, and good fortune. Ganesh puja is one of the most popular festivals in India; Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, makes the nation wave with the chant of “Ganpati Bappa Morya”. Lord Ganesha temples are mainly found in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Goa. Listed below are some of the most famous temples of Lord Ganesha in India.

1. Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai - This temple is the most famous temple of Lord Shri Ganesh in India. It has one of India’s richest temple trusts and is majestically decorated during Ganesh Chaturthi. The enchanting Lord Ganesha idol is carved out from a single black stone and is placed in between Riddhi and Siddhi, the Goddesses bestowing prosperity and sanctity. The devotees ardently believe that wishes which are genuine and from the heart are certainly fulfilled when individuals come and pray in this temple. Marathis are passionate followers of Lord Ganesha and have a conviction and belief that Ganpati never disappoints. The temple trust also has showed significant contribution to many social activities and human welfare. The online portals of this temple offer facilities for booking pujas, giving donation and arranging darshans.
2. Dagdusheth Ganpati, Pune - The Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple in Pune is one of the major attractions in Maharashtra and famous all over the country for the golden idol it houses. Dagdusheth Halwai was originally a sweet-maker who later built this temple out of devotion. The shrine is placed in the most beautiful part of the temple, which is visited by millions of worshipers all year long. The Temple Trust works significantly for poor and sick children and old people. They have built an old-age home known as Pitashree.
3. Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, Chittor - Best known for its black Lord Ganesha idol smeared with white, yellow and red colours on his forehead, this beautiful Kalipakam Vinayaka Temple is located in Andhra Pradesh. The temple was built by the Chola king, Kulothinga Chola I. This temple conducts the puja rituals beautifully and the special aartis held here are worth watching. Brahmotsavam festival starts from the day of Vinayaka Chavithi and continues for the following twenty days. This temple is located at a distance of 75 km. from Tirupathi.
4. Dodda Ganapathi, Bangalore - One of the prime attractions of Bangalore, this temple stands on the Bull Temple Road in Basavanagudi. The idol in Dodda Ganapathi Temple is huge; it is 18 ft. in height and 16 ft. in width. The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation has preserved the temple premises very efficiently.
5. Shree Maha Ganapathi Kottarakkara - This is the most renowned Ganpati temple in Kerala. It is a vast temple complex and apart from housing Lord Ganesha as the main idol, it has temples dedicated to Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, Lord Ayyappan, Lord Murugan, and other Nagaraja deities. Lord Shiva is worshipped with great grandeur and devotion like Lord Ganesha.
6. Karpaka Vinayakar, Thiruppatthur - This temple is also known as the Pillaiyar Patti Pillaiyar Temple in Tamil Nadu. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the shrine in this cave temple has been carved out of a rock and houses the Lord sitting majestically inside. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is a grand festival celebrated in this temple for 10 long days. Innumerable pilgrims gather here during this time. Like many other Ganpati temples, this temple too has Lord Shiva as its presiding deity.
7. Ganesha Temple, Idagunji - Around 1 million devotees visit this temple annually. The temple is strategically located in the Idagunji town in Uttara Kannada of Karnataka. The Idagunji Temple is one of the most prominent temples of South India, dedicated solely to Ganesha as he is the Kuladevata of the Havyaka Brahmins. There is a temple circuit in Idagunji and Ganesha temple is a part of it. The temple circuit starts from KasarGod, extends to Anegudde, Mangalore, Kundapura, Idagunji and ends at Gokarna. It is believed that anyone who is able to visit all the six temples with family between sunrise and sunset will receive special blessings.
8. Ucchi Pillayar koil, Trichy - Sited at the top of the rock at Rock Fort in Trichy, this temple showcases brilliant rock architecture. Dating back to the 7th-century, this rock fort temple is raised to 83 meters in height. The rock was cut out by the Pallavas; however later the Nayaks of Madurai created the temple during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire.
9. Astavinayak Temples -Visiting the eight Ganesha temples is considered to be the most pious Ashtavinayaka yatra. This yatra covers all the eight ancient holy temples situated around Mumbai and Pune that are dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The eight temples are Siddhivinayak Temple, Moreshwar Temple, Girijatmaj Temple, Ballaleshwar Temple, Varadavinayak Temple, Vighnahar Temple, Chintamani Temple and Maha Ganpati Temple.