Vallabha Ganapathi-yin Thillu Mullu

Setting:

• Mel-logam/Sathyalogam:- Heaven
• Bhoologam:- Earth
• Prayanagaram:- a city created by Brahma for his son, Maarisi

Characters:

• Brahma, Vishnu, Shivan :- Mumoorthigal (main 3 gods)
• Ganesa :- elephant faced hindu god (in this context, considered as the thalaivar of the mumoorthigal)
• Maarisi :- Son of Brahma
• Vedavalli :- Marasi's wife
• Vallabha:- incarnation of Uma (Parvati) and daughter of Marisi
• Parvati/Uma :- The consort of Sivan

ACT 1

Maarisi asked Brahma, "who is the person to head the mumoorthigal?". Brahma explained that Ganesa was the one who had the prowess to head over them and was the only one to rightfully assume that position.

That being said, Maarisi did penance for 21,000 years to gain the attention of Lord Ganesa.  It is said that Ganesa came in Mooshika Vahanam to bless Maarisi. Maarisi, in turn, asked the Lord three boons.

1. A place, even greater than the ones the Devas have, to rule over 
2. Parvathi or Umadevi to be reincarnated as his daughter

Marisi asked, as his third request, addressing Ganesa, that "you" should be wedded to my daughter. Based on context, we know that  the "you" is none other than Ganesa.  

So, that basically means, that Parvathi was to be wedded to Ganesa in their respected 'incarnations'. This is very crucial to understanding this story.

Now, in Sathyalogam, Maarisi asked his father to create him a city in which he can rule. Brahma created Prayanagaram and also got Maarisi married to Vedavalli.

ACT 2

Parvati asked Shivan, "what is it that makes the world work?" Sivan replied with three parts; Nimitham, Thunai, and Ubadhanam. He explaines further that Nimitham is Sivan, Thunai is Shakthi and Ubadhanam is Maha Maayai.

When explaining what Sakthi was, Sivan emphasized that everything had Sakthi and since Sakthi is none other than Parvati, she had control of the world as well. Upon hearing this, Parvati got a bit big-headed and told Sivan that since she was Sakthi, she had control of Sivan as well. Sivan got very angry and did the whole thirvilayadal scene (you know, the one where everything stops moving).

 Parvati quickly realized the consequences of her actions and pleaded guilty. Sivan told her that her 'prayarchitam' would be to be born as Marisi's daughter. Parvati obliged and came to bhoologam as a baby girl. Marisi found her and adopted her, naming her Vallaba

Now, when Sivan sent her, he told her that he would come to get married to her once she is 12. However, remember Marisi's wish of Ganesa marrying her? Hmm...I wonder what happened to that?!

ACT 3

Vallaba turns 12 years old when she is confronted by a 'stranger'. In a flashback, we see that Sivan, with the blessing of Ganesa, has come down to bhoologam as this 'stranger'. Once Marisi sees the confrontation, the 'stranger' quickly changes his form to the elephant faced god. 

Now, that doesn't mean that he is the elephant faced god, himself!! It is still Sivan...he is just playing dress up! Nonetheless, Maarisi gets Vallabha married to Sivan-Dressed Up As-Ganesa and calls it an eon. 

CONTROVERSIES

In the book, it clearly states that Maarisi wanted Ganesa to marry his daughter. However he got a cheap deal; it was Sivan dressed up as Ganesa (albeit with his permission) who showed up.

To support this, there is a 'guest list' of the attendees in the book. Brahma and Vishnu are listed but there is no Sivan!

CONCLUSION

Its not Ganesa who married Vallabha, it is Sivan. Therefore all the kovils dedicated to Vallabha Ganapathi have the wrong God...hence, people praying to Vallabha Ganapathi are actually praying to Vallabha and Sivan.

So all in all, the Gods pulled the biggest Thillu Mullu ever! ;)