Ganapathyar Kovil is located at
Kanjirappally, a small town in
Kottayam District. It is opposite to the Petta Government High School of Kanjirappally. This ancient temple dates back over 900 years. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord
Ganesh.
This historic temple is protected by the Department of Archeology. There are Tamil inscriptions on the walls of the temple which are of archeological importance. The sculptural works add to the beauty of the temple. Inscriptions on the pillars speak about the Pattunool Shetties who weaved the famous "Kanjirappally Katcha". It is said that these people constructed a stone paved street to Kovil kadavu near the Meenakshi Kovil. There had been a tradition of holding Rathotsav along this street,at the Ganapathyar temple in ancient times.
The Vellalas, who came from Kumbakonam, erected the northern Ganapathy temple nearby. Other deities enshrined here are that of Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga. These temples were renovated by Sankara Pillai of Parappallil, Anickadu with the help of devotees and the Devaswom Board. The temple receives a rich influx of devotees from far and near.
From Kottayam, this place is about 40 km along the K K Road. It is on the way to Erumeli from Kottayam.
