Madhur Mahaganapathi Temple also known as Madhur Sri Madanantheshwara Siddhivinayaka Temple is located in Madhur, 8 Km from Kasaragod town, Kerala. The Madhur Temple is situated on the banks of the river Madhuvahini. The presiding deity is Lord Madhanentheswara / Lord Shiva, but the temple is famous for MahaGanapathi. It is one of the six most famous Ganpathi temples in ancient Tulunadu. The Siva idol is very small, Lord Vinayaka is 2 meters in height and it’s still growing. The idol is consecrated in the 10th Century AD.
Udayahasthamana pooja, Appa Seva and panchakajayya are the most famous Sevas in the temple.. Temple provides free lunch for devotees in the name of Prasadam. Ganesh Chaturthi and Madhur Bedi are the main festivals celebrated. There is no strict dress code any decent dress is allowed. The annual festival starts on the Meta samkramam day and ends on the fifty day. Special poojas are performed on Vishu.
According to the local folklore, a peasant woman named Madharu found the Sivalingam of the temple, hence the name Madhur. This temple is thus originally dedicated to Lord Shiva (as Madhanentheswara).
The folklore has it that the image of Ganapati was drawn on the temple wall by the priest’s little son. To his surprise, the boy found the image got grown and fatty. He called the Ganapati Bodda Gahesha or Boddajja.
During his invasion of this region, the thirsty Sultan drank water from the temple well. He changed his mind to destroy the temple. However, to satisfy his soldiers and religious scholars, Tipu made a cut on the wall with his sword. His army then headed towards the Malabar area. The mark supposedly makes by Tippu is still visible inside the temple compound. There is a signboard near the temple well.