Mhatobar Ganesha Temple, Idagunji, Karnataka

This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha is located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. The temple receives around a million visitors annually. It is one of the six famous temples on the west coast of India called as the Ganesha Coast. The Deity here is two armed with a lotus bud in the right hand and modak sweet in the left hand standing on a stone slab. The temple is dated to be more than 1500 years old.

Architectural style: Dravidian architecture
Major festivals: Ganesh chaturthi,Sankasta chaturthi,Angarika chaturthi
Locale: Idagunji
District: Uttara kannada/North kanara
Date built: 4th-5th century CE

The temple history is connected to events at the end of the Dwapara Yuga when Lord Krishna was about to end His leelas on earth and Kali Yuga was about to start. Many Sages led by Sage Valakhilya started doing penances and worship of Lord Krishna in Kunjavana, a forest on the banks of the Sharavathi river seeking the Lord’s help in reducing the effects of the Kali Yuga. During the course of the worship, many obstacles were encountered and thus Sage Valakhilya sought the advice of Sage Narada who advised to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha in removing all obstacles.

Sage Narada selected a site in Kunjavana which the Devatas had visited earlier. The Devatas had even created two lakes called Chakra Tirtha and Brahma Tirtha. Sage Narada and the other Sages created a new late called as Deva Tirtha. Sage Narada invited all the Devatas and requested Parvati Devi to send Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha was pleased with the fire sacrifice and rituals done to propitiate him and thus, agreed to be present in the forest always to prevent any obstacles in the worship of the Sages. One more lake was created now to get water for the worship of Lord Ganesha and was called Ganesha Tirtha.

📖 Related: Chapter 6: The killing of Dhoomra lochana

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