Sri Panchamukha Heramba Ganapathi Temple Selaiyur
Sri Panchamukha Heramba Ganapathi Temple is located at Selaiyur near Tambaram in Chennai. The Heramba Ganapati temple is inside the Skandhashrama.
Heramba Ganapati form is important in Tantric worship of Ganesha. He is one of the most popular of the thirty-two forms of Ganesha.
This 12 feet Ganapati is seated on a lion and has five elephant heads and ten arms which carry the noose, goad, rudraksha garland, pownder, battle axe and cord. He is regarded as the embodiment of the 5 Ganapati’s – Maha Ganapati, Siddhi Ganapati, Vidya Ganapathi, Shakthi Ganapati and Moksha Ganapati.His five faces, four facing each direction and the fifth facing the sky represent the forms of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Goddess Shakthi and Lord Surya.
The five natural elements, such as the earth, fire, water, air and ether are believed to have emanated from him. He is the Supreme One who coordinates and executes the five-fold works of creation, sustenance, destruction, causing of disappearance and granting of the divine grace. He is also known as Achabhura Ganapati and is placed in the `Kanni Moolai’ in between the South and West in this temple. Around this Sannadhi are installed the Bala Ganapati and Lakshmi Ganapati. This gopuram represents the Orissa type of architecture.
The Sanskrit term Heramba is made up of two words namely He and Ramba. He indicates weakness or helplessness, and Ramba denotes protection. He-Ramba Ganapati is thus the compassionate Lord who protects the weak. Heramba Ganapati also has the power to confer fearlessness and defeat the enemies.
Heramba Ganapati Homa will be performed on Krishnapingala Sankasti Chaturthi which falls in the Jyestha month of the Vedic calendar. It is believed that on this day, Lord Ganapati makes his presence on earth for the sake of his devotees on Krishna Pingala Sankashti Chaturthi. Observing the day by observing fasts, and conducting rituals and ceremonies keeps away all problems and gives relief to dosha and sins. The day also gives blessings of health, wealth and prosperity.
