The very mention of Melattur conjures up the images of Bhagavata Mela plays staged every year. A tiny village, keeping up the old tradition of Bhagavata Mela alive, Melattur is dotted with many temples. Besides the famous Narasimha temple and the one for Lord Siva there is also a temple for Lord Vinayaka. The temple, hailed as Sidhi Bhuddi Arulmigu Dakshinamurthy Vinayakar temple, was in a state of disrepair and with efforts from the devotees has been renovated.
In Gnana Puranam, it has been described by Karka Maharishi that there are 108 Ganapathi sthalams. Siddhi Buddhi Arulmigu Dakshinamruthy Vinayagar temple at Melattur is considered the 81.
The village is located 18 km from Melattur. The Vinayaga temple has three prakarams - around the sanctum sanctorum; the dwajasthambam (flag mast) and the outer prakaram – around the temple.
There are separate mandapams for Chandikeswarar and Bhairavar, Vasantha mandapam, alankara mandapam, yagasala and madapalli. Lord Narthana Vinayagar, a beautiful sculptural piece, is the processional deity of the temple. Brahmotsavam is celebrated every year during Vinayaka Chaturthi.
Brahmotsavam on August 31
This year the Brahmotsavam, to be celebrated for ten days, begins tomorrow The deity, Narthana Ganapathy, will be taken in a procession during festival days. The Lord will be taken out in ‘sapparam’ on the fifth day of the festival. ‘Car festival’ will take place on the ninth day. Tirukalyanam will be performed on the seventh day. This festival is considered unique as the Tirukalyanam will be performed to Dakshinamurthy Vinayagar with Sidhi and Bhuddhi. Hundreds of people will witness the event.
Renovation work at the temple is still on and contributions towards renovation and Brahmotsavam are solicited. Those interested may send their contributions in the name of S. Kumar, Bank of Baroda, Melattur branch, Account Number 05370100005911, IFS Code BARBOMELATT. Mail id sreesiddhibuddhi@gmail.com, swathiblr@gmail.com. For details call 99943 67113 (Tamil Nadu), 098440 96444 (Roaming).
Contributions may also be sent by courier (professional courier) to S. Kumar, Sree Gana Natha, 67/68, South Street, Melattur, Thanjavur district, pin 614 301. Mobile: 99943 67113.
