Malliyoor Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple is one of the most famous Ganapathi temples in Kerala, situated near Kuruppanthara in Kottayam district. The presiding deity of the temple is the rare form of Lord Ganesha known as Beeja Ganapathi. Devotees lovingly call the deity “Malliyoorappan” and believe that Lord Ganapathi removes obstacles and grants prosperity, academic success, career growth, and family peace. The temple is closely associated with the name of the chief priest and scholar, the saint-like Malliyoor Sankaran Namboothiri. Known as “Bhagavatha Hamsam,” he conducted nearly 2,500 Bhagavatha Sapthahams, the seven-day continuous recitation and explanation of the Srimad Bhagavatham.
The history of the temple is believed to date back to the pre-Perumal era of Kerala. In the beginning, it was only a small family temple. At one time, the temple had fallen into a dilapidated condition, but during the time of Bhagavatha Hamsam Malliyoor Sankaran Namboothiri, it was revived and developed into its present form. His deep devotion to Lord Ganapathi brought the temple great fame. Because he used to recite the Bhagavatham in the presence of Lord Ganesha, the deity came to be known as Ganesha holding little Krishna on His lap, listening to the Bhagavatham. The temple structure began to take its present form during the mid-20th century. By the 1980s, the temple had become famous throughout Kerala and developed into a major pilgrimage centre. Later, many renovations and expansions were carried out.
According to legend, many centuries ago, a highly spiritual Brahmin, the head of the Malliyoor Mana (traditional Brahmin household), received a beautiful idol of Lord Ganesha during his travels. The idol was in the form of Beeja Ganapathi, with four hands and the trunk turned to the right side.
He installed this idol in the Thevarappura (family shrine) of Malliyoor Mana. Pleased with his worship, Lord Ganapathi is believed to have asked for a separate temple. Following this divine wish, the Brahmin built a temple and installed the deity there. That temple later became known as Malliyoor Maha Ganapathi Temple.
From the outside, the temple presents a beautiful blend of devotion and traditional Kerala architecture. It is built in the classic Kerala temple style. At the front stands a beautiful gopuram (temple gateway). Directly in front of the eastern gopuram stands a sacred peepal tree (arayal tree), considered holy in Hindu belief and regarded as a symbol of the Trimurti. Entering through the eastern gopuram, devotees first reach the large elephant shelter (Aanakkottil), which is beautifully designed and can accommodate five elephants for temple processions.
To the south of the elephant shelter is a special mandapam for Ganapathi Homam. Beyond that stands the golden flagstaff, carrying the image of Mushika, the divine mouse vehicle of Lord Ganesha. This flagstaff, about 40 feet tall, was installed in 2011. Beyond the flagstaff is the Balikkalpura (sacrificial altar area), where there is a very small bali stone.
The temple has a small single-storied sanctum sanctorum (Sreekovil) made of black stone. Its roof is completely covered with copper sheets, while the surrounding portions are gold-plated. Inside the sanctum is the Garbhagriha, where the idol is installed. The three-foot-tall four-armed idol of Lord Ganesha faces east. The deity is in the rare form of Beeja Ganapathi. In the rear right hand, He holds an axe; in the rear left hand, a rope; in the front left hand, a lemon; and in the front right hand, a laddu. The trunk bends to the right side. A Salagrama is also placed nearby. On the southern side of the temple, there is a separate sanctum dedicated to Lord Sastha, facing east. The idol is about three feet tall and is shown holding an Amritha Kalasha (pot of nectar) in the right hand. Sabarimala pilgrims traditionally wear their mala and prepare their irumudi here. To the west of Sastha’s shrine, on a separate platform, there is a Brahmarakshas installation. A special tradition here is that no major ritual begins without first seeking the permission of Brahmarakshas.
On the northern side of the temple stands the shrine of Goddess Durga. Since it is believed that this deity was the first to reside in the temple, this shrine is given special importance. The deity is Vishnu Durga in a four-armed form. In the rear right hand is the Chakra, in the rear left hand the Shankha, the front left hand shows Katibaddha Mudra, and the front right hand displays Vara Mudra. Facing the Goddess is another sub-deity, Athi Mahakalan, considered the guardian of the temple. Athi Mahakalan is believed to be the form assumed by Lord Shiva to subdue Yama, the god of death. This deity is represented by a small Shiva Lingam.
The main festival season of Malliyoor Maha Ganapathi Temple is celebrated as the Malliyoor pilgrimage festival. 
Vinayaka Chaturthi is the principal festival. On that day, the grand Maha Ganapathi Homam with 10,008 coconuts is performed. Gaja Pooja (elephant worship), Aanayootu (feeding elephants), Kazhcha Sreebali, and Kudamattam are also conducted. The most important offering in the temple is Maha Ganapathi Homam. The best day for this offering is the Shukla Paksha Chaturthi in the Malayalam month of Chingam. Devotees perform this ritual for prosperity, well-being, and mental peace.
Another important offering is Mukkutti Pushpanjali. In this ritual, 108 stalks of Mukkutti flowers with roots are dipped in a specially prepared Trimadhuram and offered to the deity. Since this is considered an intense spiritual offering, only five such Pushpanjalis are performed in a day. Other important offerings include Udayasthamana Pooja performed according to Tantric tradition, and Sahasra Kalasam (abhishekam with one thousand pots of sacred water). For removing obstacles related to marriage and for family welfare, devotees offer Pazhamala — a garland made of 28 bananas known as Nakshathramala. Thadi Nivedyam, Chaturthi Oottu, Palpayasam, Muzhukkappu, Thulabharam, and Pushpanjali are also popular offerings.
The temple opens at 5:00 AM with Nirmalyam Darshan. At 5:30 AM, Abhishekam and Malar Nivedyam are performed. At 8:00 AM, Mukkutti Pushpanjali takes place. After the Ucha Pooja at 10:00 AM, the temple closes at 11:30 AM. In the evening, the temple reopens at 5:30 PM. Deeparadhana is performed at 6:30 PM, followed by Athazha Nivedyam at 7:00 PM, and the temple closes for the day at 8:00 PM.
