Maha Ganapati Devalaya, Guluru

Jan 17, 2024. Sridhar and I were traveling from Bangalore to Bhogasandra by car. Since we had our own transportation, we had planned to see two historical places on the way- Guluru and Kaidaala, both situated close to Tumkur city. We left NH48 just after Chokkenahalli toll plaza, by passing Tumkur city. At he next major junction on the bypass road we entered Kunigal road, a couple of kilometers from the junction was Guluru village. Finding the way to Ganapati temple was easy since the village is small and the temple is situated on the main street. There's plenty of open space next to the temple where I parked the car. A colorfully painted Gopura welcomes visitors here.

Though this temple has a long history, the structure is a recent creation. As per a video, history of this temple is connected to Bhrigu Maharishi, one of the Saptarishi. It seems Guluru was known as Gulipattana. Bhrigu Maharishi happened to come here on the day of Ganesha Chaturti. Unable to find a Ganesh temple here. So the Maharishi makes an idol of Ganesha using clay from Guluru lake and worships the idol. Village people having seen Ganesha pooja, request Maharishi to teach them the pooja. Maharishi obliges and shares the knowledge with the village people. He also advises them to make an idol of Ganesha on Bhadrapadi Chaturti day itself. Apparently the idol made by the Maharishi was 3m tall and 3m wide hence Guluru Ganesha is approximately of that size even to this day. However, the practice here is that a smaller idol is made on Chaturti day which worshipped in the sanctum of the temple. Then on the same day, a huge lump of clay is brought to the temple and work of making the Maha Ganapati idol commences. By Navaratri, Maha Ganapti idol is close to completion. The smaller Ganesha idol along with pooja prasad is placed inside Maha Ganapati's hollow tummy, and then the hollow space  is closed with clay. The completed idol is allowed to dry for a few days. Then it is painted & decorated with ornaments. The idol is consecrated on Deepwali and worshipped until the end of Kartikamasa. The village has a festive feel for the entire period. After Kartika Amavasya, Maha Ganapati is taken on a procession in the village and immersed in Guluru lake. A noteworthy point is  that the erstwhile Jayachamaraja Wodeyar had participated in Guluru Ganeshotsava.

Having learned the temple's history, I realized that another visit is a must around the Navaratri. Opposite the temple is a monolithic Stambha.

Next to the Stambha is an idol of Ganesha made of granite. The idol is ancient, probably four or five centuries old.

This is the temple's main hall having two levels. The upper level is where Maha Ganapati idol is made and stays there Kartika Amavasya. The idol is so huge that it conceals the sanctum completely.

A black stone idol inside the sanctum.

This is one of the unique Ganeshotsavs of our country. Hoping to visit Guluru again during Navaratri / Deepawali and see Maha Ganapati once.
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