Overview

Shri Prasanna Maha Ganapathy Temple

Location

History

Deities

Photo Gallery

Utsavams

Vahanas

Adimakkavu

Other Agraharam Information

Contact Information

Well Known Elders from the Agraharam

Food and Catering

Hall for functions and Lodging

Bank Accounts for sending Kanikkai, donation or vazhipadu

Author's Notes

*Chathapuram Agraharam - 100 Agraharams Project*

*Agraharam 93 in the 100 Agraharams Project*

Chathapuram is one of the four agraharam villages that form Kalpathy, Palakkad, and is anchored by the ancient shrine of Sree Prasanna Mahaganapathy—an important participant in the Kalpathy Ratholsavam circuit. Locals also recall its older name, Sastrapuram. The agraharam remains a close-knit, Tamil-speaking Brahmin community shaped by orthodox practice, Vedic learning, and a deep tradition of music and fine arts. A distinctive belief here is that Ganapathy is worshipped as Vishvaksena, following Vaikhanasa-Agama worship; the deity’s rare south-facing orientation is considered especially auspicious.

Chathapuram also hosted a residential Veda Patasala founded in 1996 by Dr. C. R. Swaminathan, a distinguished Sanskrit and Vedic scholar, later relocated to Ramanathapuram Agraharam. If you have not been to Chathapuram, I recommend darshan at the temple, time under the vast old tree behind it, and a walk to the steps leading to the Nila—stunning in the monsoon and during Avani Avittam, when families gather for Upakarma rites.

Equally noteworthy is Chathapuram’s quiet spirit of seva: it is among the few agraharams known for active outreach to the needy and poor. Though modest in size, it truly fits the adage “moorthi sirithu, keerthi peridhu”—small in form, great in renown.

Radhe Krishna

Sriram Lakshminarayanan (Hari)

28 December 2025