Ganapathi Kovil (Map 9)

As you exit the main temple, you will see the Ganapathi Kovil directly in front of you. This temple is dedicated to the elephant headed God Ganapathi (or Ganesha as he is known in other parts of India) who is the son of Shiva and Parvathi.

 

The porch walls of this shrine are decorated with large-scale murals depicting various deities and the Tiruvilayadal Puranam, with stories from Sacred Games. The original red stone idol from Rajaraja’s time was damaged and was replaced by the current idol. The old idol was first placed in the Thiruchutru Maligai but is currently located in the temple museum Interpretative Center.

 

Parts of the Brihadishwara temple, including the Ganapathi Kovil (were damaged by a British garrison between 1771 and 1798. Subsequently, the temple was rebuilt in 1801 under the rule of the Maratha king, Serfoji II, under the supervision of Nagaraja Pandithar, according to an inscription on the temple wall.