The major vazhipadu of Kottarakara temple is the famous Udayasthamaya pooja. There is an interesting legend behind this peculiar vazhipadu. This incident took place at the time of the construction of the temple. Kottarakara Thampuran was not happy with Perumthachan, because he consecrated the diety of Ganesa at the Kizhakkekkara temple. Actually Thampuran’s plan to build a new temple came from some dislike with the Mana, who owned the Kizhakkekkara temple. One day with much sarcasm,Thampuran asked Perumthachan, “Is your Ganapathy that brilliant?” Thachan asserted, “Yes”. Then Thampuran challenged Perumthachan and asked him to ask Ganapathy to give him a son. Perumthachan accepted the challenge and asked, “What you will you offer as a reward?” Thampuran declared “I will completely cover the idol with Unniyappam” .Before one year Thampuratty become pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful young boy. At the day of the newly born baby’s Choroonu preparations began to make unniappam. The choroonu ceremony can take place only after covering the idol with unniappam. The thampuran firmly believed that the idol being small would be covered within no time. Though unniappam was made right from morning, even at noon the idol could not be covered upto the waist. An old man was witness to all that was happening there. He came forward and asked the Thampuran,”Have you been testing Ganapathy? You will not be able to keep your word as you are filled with pride. As you have been making unniappams right from dawn to dusk and now that you have realized that you are insignificant before Him, you can stop your offerings.” This was the first Udayasthamana vazhipadu.
That night, Thampuran had a dream in which the old man appeared before him and said,” I am Ganapathy. You should not test me again. Every month you must do the Udayasthamana pooja.” Thus till his death the Thampuran did the pooja. From then onwards Udayasthamaya pooja become a major vazhipadu for Kottarakara Ganapathy.
Like most other Vinayaka temples, here also Ashtadravya Ganapathyhomam acquires a prominent place. Other important offerings includes, breaking of coconuts, Thulabharam, Chathussatham, Thrimadhuram, Archana and Pushpanjali. Udayasthamaya pooja and Ashtadravya Ganapathyhomam can be performed through advanced booking.
