- Sonia Gandhi reveals moral dilemma over alliance with DMK in memoir
- Manjinder Singh Sirsa accuses Rajiv Gandhi of responsibility for 1984 anti-Sikh riots, rejects Sonia Gandhi's account
- Tripura CM calls for collective efforts for inclusive development of tribal, non-tribal communities
- Gujarat leaders meet HM Shah, exchange 'Saal Mubarak' wishes on New Year
- Sonia Gandhi Recalls ‘Midnight Chat’ With Rahul Before Turning Down PM Post In 2004
- Sundar Pichai Welcomes Meta’s AI Models to Google Cloud
- Google Unveils New AI Chips in Major Challenge to Nvidia
- Kia Car wrecked in PVNR Expressway Accident in Hyderabad
Ancestral Ganapati tradition draws massive crowds to Palaj
In Short
- The wooden idol was installed in 1948 during a disease outbreak
- Nirmal artisans crafted the idol under Gundaji Varmalu
- Over seven lakh devotees visit annually from four states
Share :
Ancestral Ganapati tradition draws massive crowds to Palaj
Khanapur: Palaj village in Kubheer mandal of Nirmal district, near the Maharashtra border, is drawing lakhs of devotees with its unique tradition of worshipping a wooden Ganapati idol, which dates back to 1948.
According to villagers, plague and cholera outbreaks, along with famine, affected Palaj and neighbouring areas that year. During Vinayaka Chavithi, village elders decided to install and worship a special wooden idol, hoping to overcome the hardships. After initial attempts failed, renowned Nirmal wooden toy artisans led by Gundaji Varmalu carved the idol.
The idol was installed amid grand celebrations, and villagers soon believed that their prayers had brought relief from the crisis. Since then, the same idol has been worshipped for 11 days every Vinayaka Chavithi.
On the final day, devotees carry out immersion rituals by sprinkling water over the idol before returning it to the temple for safekeeping.
The festival attracts more than seven lakh devotees annually from Telangana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Temple authorities also arrange large-scale annadanam and other facilities for pilgrims.
Oxford museum hands back ancestral skulls to Nagaland delegation
Delhi LG Sandhu directs DDA to ensure timely completion of its Karkardooma complex
Trade union leader Thengdi's Swadeshi vision key to India's economic self-reliance: Traders body
Centre urges Bengal farmers to reduce use of chemical fertilisers
CM Sarma charts Assam’s two-pronged strategy against river erosion
'I witnessed that historic moment’, says Ashok Gehlot on Sonia Gandhi declining PM’s post in 2004
Vice-President Radhakrishnan to visit his alma mater in Tamil Nadu tomorrow
Enjoys widespread acceptance among world leaders: BJP on PM Modi-Zelensky phone call
Bihar CM Choudhary suspends 15 officials, orders departmental action over delays in 'Sahyog' applications
You cannot take away Tipu Sultan’s contributions to K'taka: Priyank Kharge
