Many people envision Lord Ganesha with a long trunk, big ears, a single tusk, and small eyes when they think of Him.
However, there is a temple where Ganesha is worshiped in a distinct form – as a human. Let’s explore the location of this temple and the story behind it.
The Location of the Temple
The temple, known as Shree Adi Vinayak Temple, is situated in Tamil Nadu, specifically in Tiruvarur.
What sets this temple apart is that it doesn’t depict Ganesha with an elephant head; instead, it portrays Him in a human form.
Due to this unique representation, it’s also known as NarMukh Vinayak. The idol of Lord Ganesha in this temple is carved from granite.
Near this temple, you’ll also find a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Mukteshwar Temple.
The Story of the Temple
Legend has it that once, Goddess Parvati was preparing to take a bath, but there was no one to guard the door.
She created a child’s idol from the turmeric paste she used for her bath, breathed life into it, and the idol turned into a living child.
This child was none other than Lord Ganesha. In this temple, the focus of worship is on this human form of Ganesha, which is different from the usual elephant-headed depiction.
Goddess Parvati assigned this child the duty of guarding the door while she bathed. At that moment, Lord Shiva arrived and was stopped by the child (Ganesha) from entering.
This angered Lord Shiva, and in a fit of rage, He beheaded Ganesha. When Goddess Parvati learned of this, she was furious as well.
She told Lord Shiva to bring their son back to life.
To remedy the situation, Lord Shiva attached the head of the first living being He came across, which happened to be an elephant, to Ganesha’s body.
Thus, Ganesha’s unique form was born, and He came to be known as Gajanan.
Beliefs and Worship at the Temple
People believe that visiting this temple and worshiping Gajanan, who has a human head, can bring blessings and resolve various problems in their lives.
It is also a place where devotees pray for the peace and liberation of their ancestors. Legend has it that Lord Rama himself visited this temple to perform a Pind Daan ceremony for His ancestors, which is why the temple is considered sacred for such rituals.
How to Reach the Temple
To reach Tiruvarur from Chennai, you can undertake a journey by bus or train, which takes approximately 6-7 hours. A
fter reaching Tiruvarur, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the Shree Adi Vinayak Temple and explore its unique form of Lord Ganesha.