Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple

Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple
Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple
Location in Kerala
Name
Proper name Sri Pazhavangadi MahaGanapathy Temple
Tamil ஶ்ரீ பழவங்காடி மஹாகணபதி கோயில்
Geography
Coordinates 8°28′58″N 76°56′37″E / 8.48278°N 76.94361°ECoordinates: 8°28′58″N 76°56′37″E / 8.48278°N 76.94361°E
Country India
State Kerala
Location Thiruvananthapuram
Culture
Primary deity Mahaganapathy Ganesha
Direction and posture East Facing Seated posture with right leg folded

The Pazhavangadi MahaGanapathy temple is situated at East Fort in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram City. The main Deity of the temple is Sri Mahaganapathy (Ganesha). The main idol is installed in a seated posture with the right leg in a folded stance. The temple is situated in close proximity to the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple. Other Deities worshiped at the temple include Dharmasasta, Goddess Durga and Nagaraja. The temple sculptures include 32 different forms of Lord Ganesha.

History

The original Idol was maintained by The Nair Brigade initially at Padmanabhapuram and later when they were shifted to Thiruvananthapuram they installed the Idol and the current temple came into being. After the integration of the Travancore army with the Indian Forces, the temple is being maintained by the Indian Army

Offerings

The main Vazhipadu (Offering) is the breaking of coconuts at the temple. Other Offerings associated with Lord Ganesha like Ganapathy Homam, Appam, Modakam etc. are also performed here.

Major Festivals

Some of the major festivals celebrated at the temple are Vinayaka Chathurthi, Ganesh Jayanthi, Virad Chathurthi and Sankashti Chathurthi. Special Poojas are also performed on the occasion of Thiruonam, Vijayadashami, Vishu, Maha Shivaratri etc.

Temple dress code

As with many prominent temples in Kerala, in order to enter the main temple complex of the temple men need to be wearing a Mundu and no upper body clothing. Women are required to wear traditional attire like a Sari.

How to get there

The temple is located 0.5 km from the Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station and the central bus station. The nearest city bus stand is at East Fort.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is about 8 kilometers away form the temple.