Maha Ganapati Temple Gokarna Timings, History, Entry Fee, Pooja
Gokarna, a well-known tourist place in Gokarna, is surrounded by numerous attractions. Among these is the revered Maha Ganapati Temple, which is among the most visited pilgrimage destinations in South India. Every day, thousands of Hindu devotees from across the nation flock to the temple, which is devoted to Lord Ganesha, a prominent deity in Hinduism.
According to Hinduism, worshiping Lord Ganesha should come before beginning any good deed or before honoring any other deity.
Although the temple is already well-known due to its beauty, pilgrims and tourists even more frequently visit it because of the nearby Mahabaleshwara temple.
As a result, before going to the Mahabaleshwara temple, people typically pay their respects to Lord Ganesha at the Maha Ganapati Temple. The hole on the head of Lord Ganesha’s statue at the Maha Ganapati Temple may pique your interest if you ever there. This is also related to a well-known historical incident.
#Trivia: One of the most picturesque locations in the Gokarna area is the Mahabaleshwara Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
History of Maha Ganapati Temple, Gokarna
In Hindu legend, Ravana was once on his way back to Lanka from Mount Kailash following Lord Shiva’s penance. Lord Shiva gave him a Shiv Lingam as a reward for his efforts, but the catch was that it could only be retained on Earth once, and the location would serve as its last stop.
However, because they didn’t trust Ravana and believed it was unsafe to allow him to bring the Lingam to his location, all the other gods didn’t want him to travel to Lanka with Shiv Linga.
To stop Ravana, they all devised a strategy and prayed to Lord Ganesha for assistance. This is when Lord Ganesha came to earth in the form of a little boy. Since the other gods were aware of Ravana’s rigorous and orderly rituals, they all made the appearance of a sunset from above. The moment he saw the sun setting, he wanted to finish his evening routine.
Ravana asked the young lad if he may hold the Lingam for a moment when Lord Ganesha (in disguise) suddenly materialized in front of him. The young lad nodded, but explained that he would only hold it for as long as he could before calling Ravana three times and setting the Lingam down.
Ravana couldn’t help but agree with the young child despite his confusion. After giving Lord Ganesha the Lingam, he began to pray. Following a while, Lord Ganesha summoned him, but in order to finish his prayers, he asked the small lad to wait a little while more. Soon after, he received a second and third call from the small boy. He placed it on the ground before Ravana could arrive and take the Shiv Linga.
The small child began to leave as Ravana was attempting to get the Shiv Linga. However, the Shiv Lingam was now in its proper location and could not be moved. Angry, Ravana hurled a stone at the tiny child.
When the stone struck his head, Ravana knew that all the gods had deceived him and that Lord Ganesha had come in his true form. As a result, the Mahabaleshwara temple was constructed where Shiva Lingam was originally located.
The Maha Ganapati Temple was built next to the Mahabaleshwara temple because Lord Ganesha was so important. A hole on the top of the head of the 1,500-year-old statue of Lord Ganpati in the temple serves as a reminder of the stone that Ravana threw at him.
Architecture of Maha Ganapati Temple, Gokarna
You will be completely enthralled by the stunning architecture and incredible structures found within the Maha Ganapati Temple. There are a number of persons selling flowers and incense sticks to gift to the Lord at the temple, which is located on the road. There are distinct lines of people ready to honor the Lord as you enter the temple.
You may unwind and take in the peace as the sound of a hundred bells reverberates throughout the temple hall. Lord Ganesha’s idol is tiny and has a hole in its head. When you arrive at the idol, the priest will provide you Prasadam after guiding you through a few rounds (parikrama) around it.
It will just take 15 to 30 minutes to give your prayers and leave the temple because it is not very big.
Best Time To Visit Maha Ganapati Temple
The Maha Ganapati Temple is a fantastic place to visit from August to December because of the pleasant weather during this time of year. Due to South India’s extreme temperatures, visiting between April and July can be difficult.
In addition, the best months to visit the temple are February and March since Mahashivratri is observed as a seven-day festival at the Mahabaleshwara Temple, which is quite near to the Maha Ganapati Temple.
Entry Fee and Timings of Maha Ganapati Temple, Gokarna
Since the Maha Ganapati Temple is a site of worship and is accessible to everyone, there is no admission charge. Visitors must, however, ensure that they are appropriately attired, as failure to do so may result in their exclusion from the temple.
Additionally, keep in mind that taking pictures inside the shrine is strictly prohibited. Throughout the year, the temple is open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. Before you choose to visit the temple, be aware of the hours.
