Everybody should visit the Ashtavinayak in Maharashtra at least once in a  life time. There are Eight temples dedicated to Ganesha, in Maharashtra related to various episodes from the puranas and other legends - and these deities are collectively known as Ashta Vinayak. According to Shastra, first you have to visit Moreshwar of Moregaon. Then visit Siddhatek,Pali, Mahad, Theur, Lenyandri, Ozar, Ranjangaon and then again Moregaon will end you Ashtavinayak Yatra.
"Vinayaka" is another name of Lord Ganesh, the God loved and worshiped by every Hindu. Lord Ganesh is the protector of his devotees. Eight effigies found among the nature, sculptured by nature have been housed in the temples created ages ago at the places where the effigies were first identified. These'Swayambhu' effigies. Now the sacred idols, is the  famous "Ashta Vinayak." Special S.T. buses ply between Pune and all the Ashta Vinayak temples. Tours are also organized by private operators. Dharmashala, Lodges and M.T.D.C. resorts almost at all the places for visitors to reside. Ashta Vinayak Temples are within the range of only 20 to 110 Kms.

Shri Mayureshwar – Morgaon:

Morgaon, situated on the banks of river Karha comes in Baramati Taluka, in District Pune. It is said that shape of this place is like a peacock & once upon a time there were so many peacocks in the Morgaon, as such it is called as "Morgaon'.

Temple & Idol:

The main temple facing towards north is in the centre of village and looks like a small fortress or chateu. The temple complex comprising of a dome, surrounded by a 50 ft high encloser and decked with four pillars in each corners, portrays from afar and image of a mosque. While going towards the temple a huge Deep-mala (stone pillar for oil lamps)will be seen at first. In front of this Deep-Mala, there is one Nagarkhana (where kettledrums are kept). Near this Nagarkhana, thee is a mouse made up of black stone,holding 'Laddu' in his front two legs. On climbing the steps you will see a big 'Nandi is present before Ganapati instead of Lord Shiva? You will find answer to this question in this legend :-

'Years ago, this Nandi was taken on a cart for its consecration in front of a near by Shivalaya. However, the cart carrying Nandi broke in front of Mayureshwara's temple and Nandi-Maharaj sat before Mayureshwar's temple for ever. People tried their best to shift Nandi from this place but nandi did not move an inch. The artisan carrying cart had omen in the night. Nandi appeared in his dream and said, "I want to stay before Mayureshwar only. Don't try to shift me elsewhere forcefully, I won't come." People left with no other alternative dropped the idea of shifting Nandi to other place. Like this Nandiji was consecrated before Mayureshwar.

The temple has four gates. In the eastern gate is Lakshminarayan, giver of Dharma. In the sourthern gate are parvati & shankar givers of Artha (desired goals). Then comes western gate where Rati & kama resides. Lastely in the northern gate reside, Mahivaraha (Earth & Sun).

Thus all deities & all sages resides in this temple. In the eight corners, there are eight statutes of Ganapati called EKDANTA, MAHODARA, GAJANANA, LAMBODAR, VIKATA, VIGHARAJA, DHUMRAVARNA & VAKRATUNDA.

In the temple complex there are trees of Shami, Mandar & Tarati. The tree of Tarati is also called as Kalpavruksha. Devotees meditate under this tree & attain desired goals.

Before taking darshan of Mayureshwar, first take darshan of 'Nagnabhairava' on the left side of Mayureshwar, and offer him naivaidya of coconut & jaggary.

Nobody is allowed to enter the Sanctum & do the Pooja of Moreshwar on his own.The various virtuous deeds performed here are Abhishek Pooja, Sahastravartan,Japa Yadnya,Mahadwar Yatra etc.

The deity 'Moreshwara' inside the sanctum is very attractive. It is in sitting posture, fasing east with the trunk turning left & smeared with vermillion mixed in oil. In it's eyes & navel, diamonds are embedded. On its head is the hood of Nagaraja. On left & right are brass idols of Siddhi & Buddhi. In front of the idol are the Mooshaka (Rat) & Mayura (Peacock).On doing Abhishek on 'Moreshwar' all desires are fulfilled.

(The orignal idol of Moreshwar was small in size. As many layers of vermillion are applied on it, it looks bigger. Sometime after 100 &125 years this armour of vermillion casts off & orignal beautiful idol inside this armour is seen again. It has been heard that Mayureshwar's armour has been cast off in 1788 &1822 A.D. The orignal small idol was made up of atoms of sand,iron &diamonds & it is behind the present statue. It was consecrated by God Brahma. On its destruction by demon Sindhurasur, God Bhrama reconsecrated it twice. They enclosed the idol in tin sheet, So that nobody can try to destroy it. )

Shri Chintamani – Theur:

The one who is in search of happiness, whose mind is wavering like Lord Brahma, who is in the midst all calamities should go to Sthavar means Theur & worship Shree Chintamani & get rid of all Chintas (worries) & calamities. Lord Brahma meditated here to subdue his waveringmind. As his worries (chinta) were removed the idol is called Chintamani. The place is called Sthar (stable) or Theur. Theur is the nearest place of Ashtavinayak from Pune. Having mythological & historical importance, Theur is popular for various reasons.

Temple & Idol:

The main archway of the temple faces north. Peshwa had built a concrete road from main gate upto Mula-Mutha river. Temple hall is made up of wood and there is small fountain made up of black stone in the hall. The courtyard of the temple is quite big paved with floor. There is small temple of Lord Shankar in the courtyard of the temple. A big bell can also be seen in the temple.

Chintamani Ganapati's temple was built by Dharanidhar Maharaj Dev in the family of Morya Gosavi. 100 years after that Madhavrao Peshwa built a hall for this temple. Haripant Phadke and other devotees had done timely repairs of the temple and added to the security and beauty of the temple.

Idol facing east is swayambhu (self emanated) and has a left side trunk. There are carbuncle and diamonds in the eyes of Vinayaka.

Historical Importance of Theur :Shri Chintamani is a family of God of Shreemant Madhavrao Peshwa. His palace was near the temple and now it is converted into garden. Madhavrao Peshwe had stayed in this palace in his last sickness. He renovated the temple and performed various religious programmes in the temple. By chanting Gajanan, Gajanan he bestowed his life on the foot of the Chintamani. Ramabai, wife of Madhavrao Peshwe became Sati (she burnt herself with the corpse of her husband). On that place, that is, on the bank of Mula-Mutha river Sati's Vrindavan is built. That day was 18-11-1772, Kartik Vadya Ashtami. On this day Rama-Madhav death anniversary is celebrated every year.

It is said that Emperor Aurangzeb had given grant to this temple. Nowadays administration of this temple is governed by Chinchwad Temple Trust.

Shri Siddhivinayak – Siddhatek:

Lord shri Hari Vishnu, Who was surrounded by fierce calamaties, performed penance on mountain Siddhetekwhich is on the bank of river Bhima. On receiving boon from Lord Shri Ganesh, Lord Vishnu killed two demons Madhu & Kaitabh. Oh! Lord Siddheswar Shri Ganesh accept my salutation. Lord Vishnu got Siddhi at Siddhatek as such Ganesh idol here is called as Siddhivinayak . It is believed that Siddhivinayak leads work to the completion. Shree Siddhivinayak is supposed to be Jagrut place (awakened) of Shree Ganesh. Morya Gosavi of Morgaon & Narayan Maharaj of Kedgaon have attained siddhi here. Peshva Senapati Shree Haripant Phadke resumed his lost post by performing Vinayak's penance for 21 days.

Temple & Idol:

Siddhatek is situated on the banks of river Bhima. On crossing the river, while going towards the temple, you will come across the place where sage Vyas had performed yadnya (sacrifices). It said that, years ago there was a heap of ashes from this sacrificial fire. However, this place is now covered by water. The road leading to main temple was built by Peshwa's Senapati Haripant Phadke.

Shree Siddhivinayak's temple is on hill top facing north. Sanctum of the temple, which is fifteen feet high and ten feet broad was built by Ahilyabai Holkar.

The swayambhu idol of Shree Siddhivinayaka is placed in brass frame. Brass idols of Jay and Vijay are placed on both sides of Siddhivinayaka. In the sanctum itself there is a Shivapanchayatan and goddess Shivai's small temple. Hall of the temple was previously built by Baroda's landlord late Shri Mairal. It was broken in 1939 and was rebuilt by all Ganesh devotees in 1970. Nagarkhana on the main gate was built in memory of Shree Haripant Phadke.

 The pradakshana (circumnavigation) of the God is said to very fruitful. One has to travel 5 kms. to complete one Pradakshana as the idol is attached to the hill itself.

He constructed ghat on the river and also built village gate.

The place where Sage Bhrushandi had performed penances is nearer to the temple.)

The idol is swayambhu, 3 feet tall, facing north with his trunk turned right. Idol is Gajmukh, however beilly of the idol is not big. Riddhi & Siddhi are sitting on one lap of Vinayaka. Face is very calm and serene.

Shri MahaGanapati – Ranjangaon:

Lord Shivshankar obtained a boon by propitiating Lord Shree Ganesh who stays at Manipur, who gave boon to Mahadev, whose appearance is beautiful & pleasing & who is statue of good qualities. Mahaganapati means powerful Ganapati. Mahaganapati has eight, ten or twelve hands.Lord Shivshankar got victory over Tripurasur (demon) on worshipping Mahaganapati. Therefore it is called "tripurari Varado Mahaganapati. (Lord Shivshankar is called as Tripurari after his victory over Tripurasur)

Temple & Idol:

Temple facing east has huge & beautiful entrance gate. Idols of two door keepers namely Jay & vijay are present near the gateway. Nagarkhana is situated above the entrance gate. This Nagarkhana was inaugarated by Maharashtra's honourable Chief Minister Shri Monohar Joshi on 3rd May,1997.

Famous hermit Morya Gosavi had presented an idol made of five metals to Shri Anyaba Dev. This idol is taken out in procession on festive days.

Idol facing east is in a crossed legged sitting position with broad forhead & the trunk turned towards the left. Riddhi & Siddhi are on the both the sides of Mahaganapati. temple.

Shri Girijatmaj – Lenyadri:

Mother of universe, beautiful wife of Lord Shiva Goddess Parvati performed long penance of Shri Ganesh & at last obtained Shree Ganesh as her son. I salute Girija Parvati's son Girijatmaj who stayson mountain Lekhanadri(i.e.Lenyadri) Lenyadri is the only place among Ashtavinayaka places,which is situated on mountain & in the vicinity of the Buddhist caves.

Temple & Idol:

Out of 18 Buddhist caves on mountain, Girijatmaj Vinayak's temple is in the eighth cave. These caves are also called as Ganesh caves. The temple is reached after climbing 307 steps. The entire temple is carved out of single stone and is facing south. In front of Main Mandir, there is huge Sabhamandap (Hall) which is nearly 53 feet long and 51 feet broad and to your surprise there is not a single pillar in this Sabhamandap. It has 18 small apartments for meditation. Shree Girijatmaj's idol is placed in the middle apartment.

Sabhamandap of main temple is only 7 feet high. It has six stone pillars with cow, elephant etc. carved on them. From the main temple one can view river flowing and the Junnar town spread near the river.

Girijatmaja's idol faces east. Parvati consecrated Ganesh idol in the cave wherein she had performed penances.

Idol here is not a separate and distinct one. It has been carved on stone wall of the cave. Previously idol was covered with armour. Now, since the armour is fallen Girijatmaj's idol with neck turned to left side can be seen. As such only one eye of the idol can be seen.

Other Important Information

Though the caves on Lenyadri are under control of Archeological Dept. of India, adminstration of Ganesh temple is looked after by Temple Trust.

Fort Shivneri, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born is at a distance of 5-6 kms from Lenyadri.

Since the Ganesh idol is attached to the wall one can not circumnavigate Girijatmaj.

Shri Vighneshwar – Ozar:

The Ganapati is elephant headed, benignant and remover of obstacle. He has defeated demon Vighnasur. He himself is Brahma. His greatness is undisturbed in his different forms. He is reatest artist, he gives happiness to his devotees, who abodes at Ozar. Vighneshwara's temple is situated on the banks of river Kukadi. Among Ashtavinayak Kshetra Vighneshwara Temple is the only temple with golden dome and pinnacle.

Temple & Idol:

Vighneshwara's temple facing east is surrounded on four sides by a protective stone wall. One can walk over the wall and have sight of fort Shivneri and Girijatmaj. At the entrance ther are two 'Deep Malas' - that is stone pillar for oil lamps and two huge 'Dwar-Palaks' - that is guards. On entering the temple you will see owaris (small room for meditation) on both the sides. Temple has a tiled compound.

The main temple has two halls. The first hall is 20 feet high and has doors facing north and south. It has idol of Dhundiraj. The next hall is 10 feet high. At the entrance of this hall there is idol of one rat in running position made of white marble. Walls of the temple are decorated by colourful and attractive sketches. Idols of Panchayatan (Sun, Shiva, Vishnu, Goddess, Ganapati) are situated in the four corners of the sanctum.

Idol of Vighneshwar Vinayak, faces east and trunk turned towards left. The idols smeared in vermillion mixed with oil, has two emarald studded eyes and a diamond on his forehead and in the navel. On the two sides are brass idols of Riddhi and Siddhi. Temple has golden dome and pinnacle. It is said that peshava king Bajirao peshava's youger brother Chimaji Appa renovated this temple and offered a golden dome on conquering Vasai fort from portuguese.

This temple was built in 1785 A.D. Temple was renovated in 1967 by great Ganesh devotees Shri i Joshi.  on today you will find a newly renovated attractive temple with all comforts.

Shri Varadvinayak – Mahad:

I salute Ganaraj who is leader of Ganas, who is proud of his devotees & who abodes at Mahad & has pleasant appearance. In the temple of Varadvinayak, one Nandadeep (lamp) is alighten for last 107 years. Mahad has beautiful surroundings. In the ancient period it was called as Bhadrak or Mahad & so many sages & sects had resided in this place.

Temple & Idol:

Shree Dhondu Paudkar in 1690 A.D. found the swayambhu idol of Shree varadvinayak in a lake. This idol was kept in a nearby goddess temple for some time. Afterwards in 1725 A.D. varadvinayaka's temple was built by peshava sardar Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar & he gifted this to the village.

Temple has been recently renovated by the trustees. The old temple used to look like a house with a tiled roof. There is a Gomukh towards north. Holy water (tirth) comes out of this Gomukh. Lake is at the west. Temple is 8 feet long & 8 feet broad. Dome is 25 feet high with golden pinnacle. ls, one inside the sum and one is outside the sanctum will be seen.

Two stone idols of Riddhi & Siddhi will be seen in the sanctum. Two Ganesh idols are situated in the two corners. Idol in the left corner is smeared in vermillion & idol uin the right corner is made of white marble with trunk turned to right. Sanctum made up of stone & surrounded by beautifully carved stone elephant carvings, houses the idol. The idol is in sitting position, with the trunk turned left.The idol faces east.

Shri Balleshwar - Pali:

I worshipped God Ganesh, who is elephant headed, who has been praised in vedas, who is popular by the name of his devotee (Ballal),who take care of his devotees & in this kritayuga who abodes is Pallipur or Pali. Village Pali is situated between fort Sarasgad & river Amba flowing on the other side. On being pleased by devotion of Ballal, Shri Ganesh remained in the stone worshipped by Ballal & hence is called as Ballaleshwar of Pali. Among Ashtavinayakas, Pali's Ballaleshwar is the only vinayak who is famous by his devotee's name & who is dressed up as Brahmin.Since vinayaka gave his darshan in the guise of Brahmin, idol of vinayaka at Pali is dressed up as Brahmin. This place is vey famous & spiritually awakened. It is said that in Peshva regime justice was done by taking kaul(answer to the question asked in the form of flower, leaves etc.)from Ballaleshwar.

Temple & Idol:

Original wooden temple was renovated & a new stone temple was built in 1760 A.D. by Shri Fadnis. Temple complex is tiled & it encircles two lakes. Water of one lake towards right is reserved for Vinayaka's Pooja.

Shape of the stone temple is in the form of letter "Shree" & faces east. During Dakshinayan at sun-rise, the sun rays falls exactly on the Vinayaka.

There are two Sanctums (Gribhagriha) in the temple. Inner sanctum is quite big & is 15 feet high. Outer sanctum is 12 feet high & it has rat idol with Modak in his hands & facing Ganesh.

Temple walls are made quite strong by mixing lead with cement while construction.Hall of the temple is 40 feet long & 20 feet broad & it was built by late Shri Krishnaji Ringe in 1910 A.D. Hall is very beautiful with 8 pillars resembling cyprus throne tree.

Idol of Vinayaka sitting on stone throne, faces east & its trunk is left turned. The shining diamonds are embedded in the eyes & naval. The background is of silver where one finds Riddhi & Siddhi waving chamaras.

Shape of the stone temple is in the form of letter "Shree" & faces east. During Dakshinayan at sun-rise, the sun rays falls exactly on the Vinayaka.

Temple complex has a big bell made in Europe.After defeating portuguese in Vasai & Sasthi, Chimaji Appa brought these bells & offered them at different Ashtavinayak places.

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Mr. Anant V Songire

Mr. Anant V Songire

Mr. Anant V Songire

Mr. Anant V Songire

Mr. Anant V Songire