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Ashtavinayak
Ashtavinayak
Ashtavinayak
There is a Nandi (Shiva's bull mount) sitting in front of this temple entrance,
which is unique, as Nandi is normally in front of only Shiva temples. However, the
story says that this statue was being carried to some Shivamandir during which the
vehicle carrying it broke down and the Nandi statue could not be removed from its
current place.
However, this is not the original murti -which is said to have been consecrated
twice by Brahma, once before and once after being destroyed by the asura
Sindhurasur. The original murti, smaller in size and made of atoms of sand, iron,
and diamonds, was supposedly enclosed in a copper sheet by the Pandavas and placed
behind the one that is currently worshiped.
The temple is situated at a distance of 55 km from Pune, next to the river Karha in
the village of[citation needed] Moregaon. The village derives its name from the
Marathi name of the bird peacock - there used to be a lot of peacocks in this
village in the ancient time[citation needed], and the village is also set out in
the shape of a peacock.
Siddhivinayak
Main article: Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek
God Vishnu is supposed to have vanquished the asuras Madhu and Kaitabh after
propitiating Ganesha here.
This is the only murti of these eight with the trunk positioned to the right.
It is believed that the two saints Shri Morya Gosavi and Shri Narayan Maharaj of
Kedgaon received their enlightenment here.
The temple is North-facing and is on a small hillock. The main road towards the
temple was believed to be built by Peshwa's general Haripant Phadake. The inner
sanctum, 15 feet high and 10 feet wide is built by Punyashloka Ahilyabai Holkar.
The idol is 3feet tall and 2.5feet wide. The idol faces North-direction. The
stomach of the murti is not wide, but Riddhi and Siddhi murtis are sitting on one
thigh. This murti's trunk is turning to the right. The right-sided-trunk Ganesha is
supposed to be very strict for the devotees. To make one round (pradakshina) around
the temple one has to make the round trip of the hillock. This takes about 30
minutes with moderate speed.
Peshwa general Haripant Phadake lost his General's position and did 21 Pradakshina
around the temple. On the 21st day Peshwa's court-man came and took him to the
court with royal honor. Haripant promised the God that he will bring the stones of
the castle which he will win from the first war he will fight as the general. The
stone pathway is built from the Badami-Castle which was attacked by Haripant soon
after he became the general.
This temple is situated off the Pune-Solapur highway about 48 km from the town of
Srigonda in Ahmadnagar district.[citation needed] The temple is situated next to
Bhima river. On Pune-Solapur railway, Daund Railway station is 18 km from here.
Ballaleshwar
Main article: Ballaleshwar Pali
Ganesha is believed to have saved this boy-devotee, Ballala, who was beaten by
local villagers and his father (Kalyani-seth) for his single-minded devotion to
him.
The original wooden temple was reconstructed into a stone temple by Nana Phadanavis
in 1760. There are two small lakes constructed on two sides of the temple. One of
them is reserved for the puja (worship) of the Deity.
This Temple faces the east and has two sanctums. The inner one houses the murti and
has a Mushika (Ganesha's mouse vahana) with modaka in his forepaws in front of it.
The hall, supported by eight exquisitely carved pillars demands as much attention
as the idol, sitting on throne carved like a cypress tree. The eight pillars depict
the eight directions. Inner sanctum is 15 feet tall and outer one is 12 feet tall.
The temple is constructed in such a way that after the winter (dakshinayan :
southward movement of the sun) solstice, the sun rays fall on the Ganesha murti at
sunrise. The temple is built with stones which are stuck together very tight using
melted lead.
Like a few other murtis, this one has diamonds embedded in the eyes and navel, and
with His trunk pointing to the left.
One speciality of this temple is that the prasad offered to this Ganapati at Pali
is Besan Laadu instead of Modak that is normally offered to other Ganapatis.
The shape of the idol itself bears a striking semblance with the mountain which
forms the backdrop of this temple. This is more prominently felt if one views the
photograph of the mountain and then sees the idol.
The temple is located in the town of[citation needed] Pali, off the Mumbai-Pune
highway, about 11 km before Nagothane[citation needed] on the Mumbai-Goa highway.
This is located 30 km to the South-West of[citation needed] Karjat Railway Station.
Mumbai-Panvel-Khopoli-Pali is 124 km. Pune-Lonavla-Khopoli-Pali is 111 km.
History of Temple
Ganesh Purana gives an elaborate picture of LEELAS of Lord Ganesha. The legendary
story of Shri Ballaleshwar is covered in Upasana Khand Section -22 occurred in Pali
– the old name Pallipur.
Kalyansheth was a merchant in Pallipur and was married to Indumati. The couple was
childless for quite some time but later was blessed with a son known as Ballal. As
Ballal grew, he spent much of his time in worshiping and praying. He was devotee of
Lord Ganesha and used to worship stone idol of Shri Ganesha in the forest along
with his friends and companions. As it used to take time, the friends would reach
home late. Regular delay in returning house used to irritate the parents of the
friends of Ballal who complained to his father saying that Ballal was responsible
for spoiling the kids. Already unhappy with Ballal for not concentrating on his
studies, Kalyansheth was boiling with anger when he heard the complaint.
Immediately he reached the place of worship in the forest and devastated Pooja
arrangements organized by Ballal and his friends. He threw away the Stone Idol of
Shri Ganesh and broke the pandal. All the kids were frightened but Ballal who was
engrossed in Pooja and japa, did not notice the event. Kalayan beat Ballal
mercilessly and tied him to the tree saying to get fed and freed by Shri Ganesha.
He left for home thereafter.
Ballal semiconscious and tied to the tree in the forest was lying as that with
severe pain all over, started calling his beloved God, Shri Ganesha.
"O Lord, Shri Ganesha, I was busy in praying you, I was right and humble but my
cruel father has spoiled my act of devotion and hence I am unable to perform
Pooja."
Shri Ganesha was pleased and responded quickly. Ballal was freed. He blessed Ballal
to be superior devotee with larger lifespan. Shri Ganesha hugged Ballal and said
that his father would suffer for his wrongdoings.
Ballal insisted that Lord Ganesha should continue to stay there at Pali. Nodding
His head Shri Ganesha made his permanent stay at Pali as Ballal Vinayak and
disappeared in a large stone. This is famous as Shri Ballaleshwar.
Varadavinayak
Ganesha is said to reside here in the form of Varada Vinayaka, the giver of bounty
and success. The idol was found in the adjoining lake (to Mr. Dhondu Paudkar in
1690AD), in an immersed position and hence its weathered look. In 1725AD the then
Kalyan subhedar, Mr. Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar built the Varadavinayak temple[3] and
the village of Mahad.
The idol faces the east, has its trunk to the left and has been in the constant
company of an oil lamp - said to be burning continuously since 1892. There are 4
elephant idols on 4 sides of the temple. the hall is 8 feet by 8 feet. The dome is
25feet high and is golden at the top. The dome has designs of cobra.
This is the only temple where devotees are allowed to personally pay their homage
and respects to the idol. They are allowed in the immediate vicinity of this idol
to perform their prayers.
The temple is located three kilometers off the Mumbai-Pune highway near Khopoli (80
km from Pune), and is thus closest to Mumbai city. Karjat Railway Station, Karjat
on Mumbai-Pune railway is 24 km from this place and 6 km from Khopoli.
Chintamani
Main article: Chintamani Temple, Theur
Ganesha is believed to have got back the precious Chinatamani jewel from the greedy
Guna for sage Kapila at this spot. However, after bringing back the jewel, sage
Kapila put it in Vinayaka's (Ganesha's) neck. Thus the name Chintamani Vinayak.
This happened under the Kadamb tree, therefore Theur is known as Kadambanagar in
old times.
The lake behind the temple is called Kadambteertha. The temple entrance is North
facing. The outer wooden hall was built by Peshwas. The main temple is supposed to
have been built by Dharanidhar Maharaj Dev from the family-lineage of Shri Moraya
Gosavi. He must have built this around 100 years before Senior Shrimant Madhavrao
Peshwa built the outer wooden hall.
This idol also has a left trunk, with carbuncle and diamonds as its eyes. The idol
faces east.
The temple is located 22 km from Pune, off the Pune-Solapur highway, and is hence
the nearest from Pune. The village of Theur sits at the confluence of three major
regional rivers—Mula, Mutha & Bhima.
Girijatmaj
Main article: Lenyadri
It is believed that Parvati (Shiva's wife) performed penance to beget Ganesha at
this point. Girija's (Parvati's) Atmaj (son) is Girijatmaj. This temple stands
amidst a cave complex of 18 caves of Buddhist origin. This temple is the eighth
cave. These are called Ganesh-leni as well. The temple is carved out of a single
stone hill, which has 307 steps. The temple features a wide hall with no supporting
pillars. The temple hall is 53 feet long, 51 feet wide and 7 feet high.
The idol faces north with its trunk to the left, and has to be worshipped from the
rear of the temple. The temple faces south. This idol seems to be little different
from the rest of the Ashtavinayak idols in a sense that it appears to be not very
well designed or carved like the other idols. This idol can be worshipped by
anyone. There is no electric bulb in the temple. The temple is constructed such
that during the day it is always lighted by sunshine.
Vighneshwar
Main article: Vigneshwara Temple, Ozar
The history encompassing this idol states that Vighnasur, a demon was created by
the King of Gods, Indra to destroy the prayer organized by King Abhinandan.
However, the demon went a step further and destroyed all vedic, religious acts and
to answer the people's prayers for protection, Ganesh defeated him. The story goes
on to say that on being conquered, the demon begged and pleaded with Ganesha to
show a mercy. Ganesha then granted in his plea, but on the condition that demon
should not go to the place where Ganesha worshipping is going on. In return the
demon asked a favour that his name should be taken before Ganesha's name, thus the
name of Ganesha became Vighnahar or Vighneshwar (Vighna in Sanskrit means a sudden
interruption in the ongoing work due to some unforeseen, unwarranted event or
cause). The Ganesha here is called Shri Vighneshwar Vinayak.
The temple faces east and is surrounded by a thick stone wall. One can walk on the
wall. The main hall of the temple is 20feet long and the inner hall is 10feet long.
This idol, facing the east, has its trunk towards the left and rubies in its eyes.
There is a diamond on the forehead and some jewel in the navel. Idols of Riddhi and
Siddhi are placed on the two sides of the Ganesha idol. The temple top is Golden
and is possibly built by Chimaji Appa after defeating the Portuguese rulers of
Vasai and Sashti. The temple is probably built around 1785CE.
This temple is located just off the Pune-Nashik Highway,[citation needed] in the
town of Ozhar. It is enclosed on all sides by high stone walls, and its pinnacle is
made of gold. The temple is situated on the banks of river Kukadi. Via Mumbai-
Thane-Kalyan-Bapsai-Saralgaon-Otur, Ozhar is 182 km.