Mundhi Vinayagar Temple, is one of the largest Lord Vinayagar statue in Asia.
The Lord Ganesha idol, standing tall at 20 feet and a whopping 11 feet wide.
Legend has it that the sculptors who crafted this divine masterpiece searched high and low for the perfect rock to chisel, and dug one up from a 20 feet deep pit. Talk about commitment! It took them six whole years to complete this magnificent piece of art. And once they were done, they had to figure out how to move a 190-tonne idol to the temple location. It was done with some hard work and divine help!
As you enter the temple, you’ll be greeted by Lord Ganesha’s grand presence, sitting atop a lotus flower with a pot of nectar on his trunk. The pot symbolizes blessings from the Hindu Goddess of Wealth, Mahalakshmi. The idol has four hands – one holding an ivory piece for writing the Mahabharata, one holding an Angusa, one holding a jackfruit, and the fourth holding a whip. There’s even a serpent wrapped around his hips.
If you happen to visit during the Vinayaka Chaturthi festival, be prepared to be blown away by the idol’s majestic beauty. It’s adorned with flower garlands, princely attire, and ornaments fit for a king – also known as ‘Raja Alankaram.’ And if you’re an early bird, you can witness the ritual abhisheka being performed in the morning.
So, if you’re in Coimbatore and need a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, swing by the Mundhi Vinayagar Temple. With Lord Ganesha’s divine presence and the idol’s sheer size and beauty!