CHIDAMBARAM - GANESH TEMPLE

This ancient renowned stadium, demonstrating to the world the Bhujangatrasa Nritya of Lord Maheswar is also feasting the eyes of the devotees, the splendour of his mighty' son - Vinayaka and his mahima. There are scores of mini-shrines installed with the august icons of Saivate, Vaishnavate, Sakteya gods and goddesses and they are worshipped with utmost devotion. Around the sanctum sanctorum and in the second and third prakaras, one can see the most highest divinities giving darsan and lifting the saranarthas on ardent prayers.

In the vast first prakara near the southern gate there lies a beautifully built mandap for the exclusive adoration of Vinayaka. It is a single-celled shrine with garbha griha and a vast open hall in the front with provision for pradakshana marga. The holy image of Vinayaka in standing posture facing east gives darsan, when the devotees circumambulating the main mandir in the first prakara, and fills their eyes and souls with its immense size and excellent craftsmanship. It is about ten feet in height and impresses the devotees with a characteristic serenity that bends the heads of the visitors. The decoration with garlands and jewels elevates the viewers, and devotees offer soulful prayers standing in front of such big size Ganapathy. The priest offers elaborate prayers daily, and the occasional prayer services are carried on with due veneration. Even if one wants to bypass this shrine in their hurry to see the Siva Peruman in dancing posture, the immensity of the size and excellency of sculpture beckon devotees for darsan. That is his glory and that wrings veneration.

It is in Chidambaram, a famous pilgrim town in Tamilnadu, accessible by bus and train.

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