ASHTAVINAYAK | LORD GANESHA | VINAYAKA | ASHTAVINAYAK DARSHAN | GANESH MANDIR

Ashtavinayaka

 

TEMPLES OF LORD GANAPATI

Ashtavinayak means 8 temples of Ganesha in Maharashtra. These temples located in West Maharashtra and Konkan have a separate history. As all these temples were patronized by the Peshwas, they gained importance during the Peshwa period. Ashtavinayakas are also described in Mudgal Purana.

One or two temples of Lord Ganapati can be seen in every village of Maharashtra. Devotees experience thousands of forms of Ganesha from those temples. Even so, the Ganesha temples and idols of these particular 'eight' places in Maharashtra have special significance. These eight temples together are called 'Ashtavinayaka'. One of Ganapati's many names is Vinayaka; hence this set of temples is Ashtavinayaka.

Temples (places) of Ashtavinayaks are famous not only in Maharashtra but all over India. Ganesha devotees believe that Lord Ganapati is the god of knowledge, the bringer of happiness, the savior of sorrows, and the savior.

Many images (idols) of Lord Ganesha were created but the places where the ancient idols carved out of stone were discovered, as well as the places where the oldest idols of 'Swayambhu' were found, gained special importance. These temples are considered to be temples of Ashtavinayakas.

Numerous devotees from Maharashtra visit Ashtavinayaka. All Ashtavinayaka temples are close to each other in terms of distance. On average, the Ashtavinayaka Yatra can be finished in 1.5 to 2 days. There are five 'Ashtavinayak Sthanas' in the Pune district (Morgaon, Theur, Ranjangaon, Ozar, Lenyadri), two in the Raigad district (Mahad, Pali), and one (Siddtek) in Ahmednagar district. The detailed information of all these Ganpatis is as follows.

(1)Morgaon: Moreshwar

The first Ganapati among Ashtavinayakas is Moreshwar of Morgaon. This is an important place of the Ganapati sect. This Ganpati is also known as Shri Mayureshwar. Morya Gosavi, a great Ganesha devotee, had taken over the worship here. It is Swayambhu and Adyasthan of Sri Moreshwar Ganesha. It is said that the aarti 'Sukhkarta Dukhaharta' which is said in every house was inspired by Sri Samarth Ramdas Swami in this temple.

Karha River is nearby. There are many types of carvings on the temple. Sri Moreshwara's eyes and temples are studded with diamonds. A tower-like stone structure around this temple dates back to ancient times. Morgaon is a place in Baramati taluka of Pune district. Morgaon is 35 km from Baramati. I. is at a distance. Khandoba of Jejuri, the deity of Maharashtra, is just 17 km from Morgaon. I. is at a distance. Public transport is available from all these three places to Morgaon. The Morgaon Ganesha Temple was built by the mighty Subhedar Gole during the Adil Shahi period, whose descendants still live in the village of Pirangut.

(2)Theur: Sri Chintamani

Sri Chintamani of Theur is the second Ganapati among the Ashtavinayakas. Under the Kadamba tree of Theur, Lord Ganesha manifests his divine presence. It is called Chintamani as the destroyer of devotees' worries. Many people from the Peshwa's house in Pune used to visit Theur regularly. The Peshwa family was a big Ganesha devotee. It was expanded by Madhavrao Peshwa. Madhavrao Peshwa died at Theur. Ramabai's samadhi is also located here. Within the temple premises is an art gallery created by the Nirgudkar Foundation depicting the illustrious career of the elder Madhavrao.

It is on the road connected to the Pune-Solapur highway, in the taluka, and is 30 km from Pune. I. is at a distance. Buses are available from Pune. (Not far from Theur is a naturopathy center established by Mahatma Gandhi at Urlikanchan.)

(3)Siddhateks: Sri Siddhivinayak

Sri Siddhivinayak of Siddhateks is the third Ganapati of the Ashtavinayaks. The only Ashtavinayaka with a right trunk. It is the Swayambhu of Siddhivinayak situated on the river Bhima. Its body is very large in length and width. Also, the mandap is big and wide. Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar has restored and built the temple. The temple has a brass Makhar surrounded by images of Moon-Sun-Eagle. This place is in Karjat taluka of Ahmednagar district and is 19 km from Daund. I. is at a distance. So 23 km from Rashin. I. is at a distance. If you go from Daund, there is the Bhima River on the way, and it is difficult to cross it. But now the bridge is done.

(4)Ranjangaon: Mahaganapati

This is the fourth Ganapati among the Ashtavinayakas. This Ganesha is called Mahaganapati. It is the abode of Mahaganapati. This place is in Shirur taluka on the Pune-Ahmednagar route.

A legend related to this place is that the demon Tripurasura was given some powers by Lord Shiva. By misusing this power, Tripurasura started to trouble the people of Swargaloka and Prithviloka. Finally, there came a time when Shivashankar had to bow down to Lord Ganesha and kill Tripurasura. Theirs Ganesha is revered as Tripurarivade Mahaganapati, for he vanquished the three demons and brought peace to the world.

The form of Mahaganapati is the most powerful of the Ashtavinayakas. Shri Mahaganapati is of the right trunk and Ganesha has a lotus seat. It is found in history that this temple was restored during the Madhavrao Peshwa period. It is mentioned that Sardar Kibe of Indore also renovated this temple. He has built a wooden auditorium in this temple. This place of Shri Mahaganapati in AD. It belongs to the 10th century. Lord Ganesha has ten hands and is a pleasing and charming idol.

(5)Ozar: Vighneswar

Vighneswar of Ozar is the fifth Ganesha among the Ashtavinayakas. The idol of Shri here is long and wide and Shri Vigneshwara is known as the richest Ganesha among the Ashtavinayakas. Sri has rubies in his eyes and a diamond on his forehead. Vighneswar, the Lord of Obstacles, is worshipped at Theur, where his happy and auspicious idol embodies the power to overcome all challenges. This is a Swayambhu idol of Ganesha.

There are ramparts on all four sides of the temple, and there is a Ganesha temple in the middle. Located on the banks of the Kukdi River, this temple is a sacred place. History mentions that Chimaji Appa, brother of the great Bajirao Peshwa, restored this temple.

Dharamshala is well arranged to accommodate the devotees in the temple premises. This place in Junnar taluka is 14 km from Lenyadri. I. It is 85 km from Pune. I. is at a distance. Near here is the Arvi Satellite Center and Asia's largest electronic telescope at Khodad. Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is also nearby.

(6)Lenyadri: Sri Girijatmja

Sri Girijatmja of Lenyadri, the sixth Ganapati of the Ashtavinayakas. In the vicinity of Shivneri fort, in the community of ancient Junnar caves in Junnar taluka, and in the vicinity of the Kukdi River, is the self-contained abode of Sri Girijatmja Ganesha on a hill. There is a pleasing idol of Lord Ganesha carved in stone. There are carvings in the rock around the temple area. This temple was restored during the Peshwa period. The temple has stone pillars and is beautifully carved with tigers, lions, and elephants. There are about 400 steps up the mountain to reach the temple.

Sri Girijatmja of Lenyadri is 7 km from Junnar. Is at a distance, while from Pune it is about 97 km. I. This place is far away.

(7)Mahad: Varadvinayak

Varadvinayak of Mahad is the seventh Ganapati of the Ashtavinayaks. This is a self-contained place and is also called Math. The temple of Sri Varadvinayak is simple, and circular and has a dome and a golden culmination. There is an engraving of a snake on the top.

A story related to this temple is famous. A devotee saw an idol lying in the water in the pond behind the temple in a dream. That person searched and found the idol. That is the idol installed in this temple. The temple has a stone mahirap and the idol of Ganesha is seated on the throne and is of the right trunk. A.D. This temple was built in 1725 during the Peshwa period.

Mahad in Raigad district is located between Khopoli - Khalapur on the Pune-Mumbai National Highway.

(8)Pali: Shri Ballaleshwar

Ganapati of Pali is the eighth Ganapati of the Ashtavinayakas. This Ganesha is called Shri Ballaleshwar. Ballaleshwar is the abode of Ganesha. The temple faces east. Ganesha's forehead is huge and there are diamonds in his eyes. The temple is closed. In the Theur temple, Chimaji Appa's huge bell tolls a message of hope and perseverance, reminding us that even the most daunting obstacles can be overcome with Ganesha's grace.

This place is located in Sudhagad taluka of Raigad district, the temple of Ballaleshwar is situated in the background of the grand fort of Sudhagad and in the scenic proximity of river Amba. Near Pali are Unher's hot springs and the ancient fort of Sarasgad.

38 km from Pali Khopoli. I. It is at a distance of 111 km from Pune. I. is at a distance. The road splits to go to Palis on the Khopoli-Pen road, while the Panvel-Goa national highway runs from Wakan to Palis.

Summary

On the Chaturthi of the month of Bhadrapada, the Yatra is held at all these eight places. People of all castes and religions come to this place and take darshan with faith. Lord Ganesha is celebrated everywhere from Bhadrapada Suddha Chaturthi to Anant Chaturdashi.

All eight places of Ashtavinayaka have good food and accommodation facilities. For Ashtavinayak darshan, one travels through three districts namely Pune, Ahmednagar, and Raigad. There are different forms of Lord Ganesha. They are also located somewhere in the mountains, on the rocks, somewhere along the river, so the devotee who travels to Ashtavinayaka gets the experience of tourism along with the pilgrimage. The importance of such Ashtavinayaka is not only for Maharashtra but spread all over India.