This Ganesha Temple in Kanpur Was Built by Deceiving the British
As Ganesh Mahotsav celebrations unfold across the country, the Ganesha temple in kanpur stands out for its remarkable colonial-era history. Established in 1918 with the foundation laid by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, this temple has a unique backstory involving subterfuge against british authorities.
Situated in the Clock Tower area of kanpur, the temple was constructed discreetly within a house-like structure to bypass british restrictions. The british had initially refused permission for the temple's construction due to the proximity of a mosque. To circumvent this obstacle, the builders designed the temple to resemble a residential building, thereby evading scrutiny and achieving their goal.
The temple, adorned with numerous idols of Lord Ganesha, including his family members and the nine forms of the deity, became a revered site of worship once completed. Lal Ramcharan and Lal Thakur Prasad, who proposed the temple to Tilak in 1908, oversaw its construction. Tilak himself performed the Bhoomi Pujan in 1918, marking the official start of the temple’s creation.
Devotees flock to this unique temple during Ganeshotsav to seek blessings. It is notable for featuring Lord Ganesha with his sons, shubh and Labh, as well as his consorts, Riddhi and Siddhi. Additionally, the temple houses a distinctive ten-headed idol of Lord Ganesha.