This temple takes centre stage

Secunderabad: While the whole country is revelling in Vinayaka Chavithi festivities, the Ganesh Temple in Secunderabad stands tall, basking in spiritual glory and attracting thousands of devotees on a daily basis. No doubt that the temple, that has a unique pull, is the most famous Ganesh temple in the city, with annual revenue by way of donations crossing Rs 4 crore.

It is said that this one is the only Ganesh Temple in India with Lord Ganapathi with his right hand on one leg and the other hand over the goad used to train elephants. In 1824, the sepoys of the Madras Regiment found the idol while digging a well and consecrated the idol and installed it in the temple.

Since then, the number of devotees has been increasing with each passing year and today on an average 15,000 devotees visit the temple daily. The Executive Officer of the temple G Narasimhulu says, “People regard Lord Ganesh as a destroyer of selfishness and pride. His head symbolises the soul and body maya. Every year, on the occasion of Vinayaka Chavithi, the idol of Lord Ganapathi is worshipped in conformity with the Mahanyasa and Vedic traditions.”

The architectural style reflecting the Kakatiya dynasty is a testimony to the Telangana culture. The construction of Maha Mandapam, Salaharam, the carving of Sri Shodasa Ganapathi and Mahadwara are reflections of a bygone era.

One of the 12 archakas at the temple says, “The spiritual sanctity of the temple is kept intact and several construction activities such as Sivalayam and Sri Uma Maheshwari Alayam and gopurams have been taken up but the sanctity of the temple is intact.”

In 1960, the temple underwent extension and came under the Department of Endowments. Today there is a staff of 70 working in the temple. Just a stone’s throw away from the Secunderabad Railway Station, the temple is very popular not just among locals but people who visit the city.

Revathy, an ardent devotee and a regular to the temple says, “If one wishes sincerely, Lord Ganapathi is bound to shower his blessings.” It is this belief that makes the temple so popular. On the festival day, close to two lakh people visit the temple and the roads are out of bounds for vehicular traffic.

The Rathothsavam (wooden chariot) is another noteworthy element at the temple. During the Ganesh procession, it is fully decked up and three idols of the temple take centre-stage. The idols are brought back to the temple from Tank Bund after the Ganesh immersion.

The temple was constructed under the supervision of Kanchi Sankaracharya and is today a landmark in Secunderabad.