Ganapathi Temple in Virajpet

As famous as Madikeri Dasara in Kodagu, the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Veerajpet are equally grand. The Sri Ganapathi Temple, located in the heart of Veerajpet, near the clock tower, is a major religious and devotional center of the district.

Veerajpet town was founded in 1792 AD by King Dodda Veerarajendra of Kodagu. According to history, a few years ago in 1855, a couple from Tiruchanapalli, Ramaswamy Pillai and Nagamma, who had come to Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu for business, established a Ganapathi temple at this place.

The Pillai family wrote the preface to this temple, which has a history of about 170 to 200 years. Since then, the temple has been continuously growing with the cooperation of local devotees and the religious committee. Initially a small temple, the temple has undergone many renovations.

In the early 20th century, T. Ramaswamy Pillai was ruled by his descendants T. Thiruvengad Pillai, T.B. Ramaswamy Pillai and T.B. Balakrishna Pillai, and a public committee was formed in 1981. From 1996-2002, the committee led the construction of Kalamantapa, Sabha Bhawan, Navagraha deities and new buildings.

In 2010-2012, a 54-foot-tall Chola-style Kalasha decorated Rajagopura and two 26-foot-tall sub-gopuras were built.

The main attraction of the Veerajpet Ganapathi Temple is the annual Ganesh Chaturthi. The festival is celebrated here with great pomp for 11 days. The attraction of Ganesh festival is that during the immersion procession held at night, the Ganesh mandapam is completely decorated with flowers. Various works of art are made from flowers. A procession is taken out on the Rajbeedi in decorated grand chariots. This procession, which lasts the entire night, ends the next morning in an emotional atmosphere with the immersion of Ganesh idols at Gowrikare.

Currently, senior advocate S.R. Jagadish is the president, Maletira Kaaverappa is the secretary and V.V. Jayaram, Pattada Mohan and many other dignitaries are busy in the service of the temple.

Conclusion: The Sri Ganapathi Temple of Virajpet and the Ganeshotsava here are not just a religious event. It is a cultural link that unites the entire society without any distinction of caste or creed and a symbol of the grand heritage of Kodagu.

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