Kottayam, Aug 27 (UNI) Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Vinayaka Chaturthi, joining devotees at the historic Sree Malliyoor Maha Ganapathy Temple here, which is revered as the only Vaishnava Ganapathy shrine in the country.
Participating as the chief guest at the Ganeshotsava celebrations, the Governor lauded the temple’s unique spiritual legacy, noting that the festival of Lord Ganesha embodies unity, wisdom, and devotion. The event was marked by devotional fervor, mythological reflections, and calls for national harmony.
Meanwhile, in Thiruvananthapuram, MS Bhuvanachandran, Chief Functionary of the Kerala Ganeshotsava Trust, recalled how Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak had transformed Ganeshotsava into a public celebration during the freedom struggle, imbuing it with the spirit of nationalism and unity.
He elaborated on the philosophical and cultural dimensions of the festival, weaving together references from the Vedas, Puranas, epics, and history.
“Human life is a stream where reason and devotion meet. Ganeshotsava is not a mere ritual but a heritage of truth preserved through ages,” he observed.
Tracing the mythic origins of the Ashta-Ganapatis who vanquished eight demons symbolising envy, anger, lust, pride, greed, ego, delusion, and jealousy, he said the festival reminds devotees to subdue these inner forces through humility and wisdom.
On the ritual of immersion, he underlined its deeper symbolism, explaining that the clay idol, embodying the five elements, is worshipped for nine days and consigned to water on the final day as a symbol of purification and release. “Immersion is not destruction but liberation. The Lord, having absorbed our faults, returns to the divine realm through the waters,” he said.
Recalling episodes from the Mahabharata, the story of King Nala, and the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Bhuvanachandran noted how Ganesh Puja has historically guided rulers and reformers.
He said the Kerala Ganeshotsava Trust, formed 35 years ago, has carried forward this tradition without a break, uniting devotees across barriers of caste and creed.
This year’s festivities, being held from August 27 to September 6, include daily offerings of kozhukatta, unniappam, and laddus, along with cultural programmes and charitable activities such as feeding the poor and gifting essentials. The celebrations will conclude with a grand procession and immersion, accompanied by music, lamps, and collective prayers for peace.
“Ganeshotsava calls upon us to purify the mind and heart. Where there is Ganesha, there is wisdom, humility, and the removal of obstacles,” he added.
