International Mahaganapathy Sathram organised at the Sreeganapthyaar Koil at Kanjirappally near here, got underway at a simple, but solemn ceremony on Sunday.
Lighting the ceremonial lamp, marking the beginning of the unique and rare spiritual discourses and poojas based on the age old ‘Ganeshapuranam’, Pooyam Tirunal Gauri Parvathy Bai Thampuratti of Travancore said, Ganesha concept provides one with the rare opportunity to meditate the divine being in any form one would be at peace with spiritually. Ganesha and Krishna forms bring out not only the devotion and respect of the divine being, but also great affection and attachment to spiritual being, she said.
The Sathram being held on the premises of the temple of the Remover of Obstacles, would be able to achieve its objectives, she said.
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In her presidential address, J. Prameela Devi, convener of the Sathram organizing committee said the spiritual event was being organised as a unique event that would benefit the entire community. The Sreeganapthiyaar Koil was built centuries ago by the people of Tamil origin who dwelt in the area. It was one of the major spiritual centres, but lost its prominence nearly four centuries ago, she said. That the Ganeshapurana was being discussed at the Sathram too was an unique event, she said.
Swami Brahmapadanandaji, N. Jayaraj MLA, P.R. Surendran, former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board G. Raman Nair, TDB secretary T.R. Anitha, General Secretary of the organising committee P.P. Shaji and others spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, procession from Chirakkadavu Mahadevar temple carrying the flag staff and procession from Kottarakkara Mahaganapthy temple carrying the ceremonial flag arrived at Kanjirappally town. The panchaloha idol from Thazhamon Madhom and 'Kedavilakku' from Sooryakaldy Mana also arrived by noon at the Gurumandiram in the town. The various processions converged to arrive at Sreeganapthyaar Koil by evening. The poojas will commence at 5:30 a.m. on Monday.
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