The devotees of Lord Ganapathy have a delightful treat when they visit Sringeri, as they get the darshan of the popular Pancha Maha Ganapathys (the five great images of Ganapathy) namely Sri Rathnagarbha Ganapathy(found in the personal puja of the Jagadguru), Sri Vidya Ganapathy (inside Sri Vidyashankara temple), Sri Shakthi Ganapathy (inside Sri Sharadamba temple), Sri Thorana Ganapathy (near Sri Adi Shankara Temple, on the way to the dining hall) and Sri Sthambha Ganapathy (on the base of a stone pillar inside Sri Malahanikareshwara temple).

            Sri Vruddha Nrisimha Bharathi Mahaswamiji (32nd Jagadguru) had a vision of Sri Thorana Ganapathy when He was contemplating on resolving an issue in the Mutt affairs.  He offered His prayer by offering Dhoorva (grass) and the problem got resolved.  Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Mahaswamiji (33rd Acharya) used to offer His prayers and Dhoorva everyday.  Sri Chandrasekhara Bharathi Mahaswamiji (34th Jagadguru) offered Him a silver Kavacha (protective covering). The 35th Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamiji arranged for the Nithya puja to Sri Thorana Ganapathy.  The present Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamiji got the reconstruction of the place done and has also offered a golden Kavacha to the Lord.

            The image of Sri Sthamba Ganapathy is a Swayambhu (the image taking shape on its own).  Readers can revisit Chapter-5 for the episode related to this Ganapathy.