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Unique form of Ganesha
The Velleeshwarar temple...
THE VELLEESHWARAR temple, dedicated to Lord Siva, situated on South Mada Street in Mylapore, close to the more famous Kapaleeshwarar temple is one among the seven ancient Siva temples in the area. The Vellishwarar temple complex has numerous shrines for various deities.
The principal one enshrines Lord Vellishwarar in linga form facing east with the dwajasthamba and Nandi in front, while that of his consort Kamakshi Ambal next to it, faces south. There are other sub-shrines for Muthukumaraswamy, Sarabeshwarar, Sanishwara and Navagrahas, and others.
Like all Siva temples, the Vellishwarar temple too has a sanctum for Lord Ganesha, but the one here for Selva Vinayaka is unique in many ways. While in most Ganesha shrines this deity is seen alone, here He is seen with his two consorts Siddhi and Buddhi. Moreover, this image of Ganesha is in a standing posture, while in other temples he is usually seated.
The majestic image in this sanctum is four-armed and holds the pasha and ankusha in his upper hands. In one of his lower hands He holds the modaka, His favourite sweet, while the tip of His curved trunk rests in the palm of the other hand. Another unusual feature is that this Vinayaka shrine faces south and is situated right in front of the main entrance, above which is a five-storeyed gopura.
Selva Vinayaka.
This sanctum is almost as large as the principal shrine unlike in most Siva temples where the Ganesha shrine is usually of smaller dimensions.
The processional image (utsava murti) of Vinayaka is exactly like the main deity. Vinayaka Chaturti is one of the main festivals celebrated in this temple.
During the Chaturti festival, which falls on August 31, Vinayaka on His mount (mushika-vahana) will be taken around the four Mada streets running around the Kapaleeshwarar temple, as per tradition.
CHITHRA MADHAVAN
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