Thousands of devotees witnessed the 'Maha Kumbabhishekam' of the Manakula Vinayagar temple here on Friday. After preliminary poojas and four 'kaala yahams,' holy water meant for the 'Maha Kumbabibhishekam' was taken out in a procession around the temple preceded by caparisoned temple elephant Priests, who assembled on all gopurams, including the golden "vimanam," had completed preliminary poojas and aradhanas to the main "kalasams." The "Kumbabhishekam" was performed simultaneously to the golden vimanam and other gopurams.
The presiding deity was earlier known as ‘vellakara (white) Vinayagar’, as this place was part of the town where French and white people lived in harmony. According to the Sthalapuranam, efforts were made to remove the deity from the present place. Once it was even thrown into sea. But every time it was moved it was reinstated in its present location. Later a temple was built as per the Ganapathy Agamam and it was named as the Bhuvanesa Vinayagar temple.
After a gap of twelve years gap, the Maha Kumbabhishekam was performed here and the temple premises was also expanded. Despite the scorching heat, devotees surged to the temple to witness the festival. Police made elaborate security arrangement. Chief Minister N.Rangasamay, Speaker V.Sabapathy and MLAs were present.
