Top 10 famous Ganesh temples in south India
Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, Pillayarpatti, Tamil Nadu
Uchchaitha Ganapathi Temple, Bangalore, Karnataka
Shri Mahaganapathi Temple, Gokarna, Karnataka
Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
Anegudde Vinayaka Temple, Udupi, Karnataka
Maha Ganapati Temple, Goa
Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Puducherry
Sri Varasidhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple, Annavaram, Andhra Pradesh
Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Srinivasa Mangapuram, Andhra Pradesh
Sri Vinayaka Temple, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Note: This list is not exhaustive and there are many more temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha in South India that are equally famous and revered by devotees. Also, some of the temples mentioned in this list may not be exclusively dedicated to Lord Ganesha, but have significant shrines dedicated to him.
Worship of Lord Ganesh, also known as Ganapathi, is an important aspect of Hindu tradition and culture. Here are some common steps to follow when worshipping Lord Ganesh:
- Cleanliness: It is important to maintain cleanliness and purity when worshipping Lord Ganesh. Take a bath or shower and wear clean clothes before beginning the puja.
- Preparation: Gather all the items needed for the puja, including flowers, incense, fruits, sweets, and other offerings. Place them in front of the idol or picture of Lord Ganesh.
- Prayers: Begin the puja by chanting prayers and mantras in honor of Lord Ganesh. You can also light incense and offer flowers and other offerings.
- Offerings: Offer fruits, sweets, and other items to Lord Ganesh, and pour water on the idol or picture. You can also offer betel leaves, coconut, and other items that are considered auspicious.
- Aarti: After offering the puja, perform the aarti, which involves waving a lighted lamp in front of the idol or picture of Lord Ganesh.
- Prasad: After the puja is complete, distribute the prasad, which is the food offering that has been blessed by Lord Ganesh, to all those present.
- Visarjan: When the puja is over, it is customary to immerse the idol of Lord Ganesh in water, which is known as visarjan. This symbolizes the departure of Lord Ganesh from our homes, but not from our hearts.
It is important to note that these are just general guidelines, and different families and communities may have their own specific traditions and rituals when it comes to worshipping Lord Ganesh. The most important thing is to approach the puja with devotion, sincerity, and a pure heart.