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Ashtavinayak

The Birth of Lord Ganesh
Each of the Puranas has a different story regarding the birth of Lord Ganesh. In some he is the manasika putra (mind-born son) of Lord Shiva. In others he is the creation of Parvati. In still others he is the son of Shiva and Parvati.
The most popular legend deals with the birth of Lord Ganesh to Parvati. Once while Parvati was going for her bath, she rubbed off the dust and oil from her body and out of it created the figure of a young boy. She infused life into the figure and told him he was her son and should guard the entrance when she went to bathe.
Soon after, Shiva came to see Parvati but the young boy blocked his way and would not let him in. Shiva, unaware that this lad was his son, became furious and in great anger fought with the boy whose head got severed from his body in the ensuing battle.
Parvati, returning from her bath, saw her headless son, and in aggrieved anguish threatened to destroy the heavens and earth.
The gods and Shiva pacified her and the latter sent out his ganas, or hordes, to bring the head of the first living being with his head towards the north (the auspicious direction associated with wisdom). The first living creature they found sleeping with his head to the north was an elephant. They brought the head of this animal and Shiva placed it on the trunk of Parvati's son and breathed life into him.



Shree Moreshwar (Morgoan)
About Morgoan:
Morgaon is situated on the banks of river Karha which comes in Baramati Taluka in Pune District.It is said that the shape of this place is like a peacock and that once upon a time there were many peacocks in this region and therefore this place is called as 'Morgoan'.
Getting There:-
- From Mumbai one can go to Pune, from Pune one can reach Morgoan in the following ways:
- State transport buses are available from Pune's swargate bus depot.
- On Pune-Solapur railway line, get down at Neera railway station and go to Morgoan by bus.
- On Pune-Solapur highway Morgoan lies at a distance of 56 kms.
Shree Mayureshwar's Temple:
The main temple facing towards the north is in the center of village & looks like a small Fortress or chateu
The temple complex comprising of a dome, surrounded by a 50 feet high enclosure & decked with four pillars in each corners, potrays from afar an 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, there is a mouse made up of black stone., holding Laddu in his front legs. On climbing the steps you will see a big 'Nandi' made up of black stone sitting in front of main gate & facing towards Mayureshwar. But the question is, how 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 Mayureshwar's temple & 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 apperared in his dream & 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 main temple is made up of black stone. The temple constructed during Bahamani regime was built in typical Moghule style by Mr Gole, a Hindu officer in the court of Patshah
The temple has four gates. In the eastern gate is Lakshminarayana, a giver of Dharma. In the Southern gate are parvati & shankar, givers of Artha(desired goals). Then comes western gate where Rati & Kama resides. Lastly in the northern gate reside, Mahivaraha(Earth & Sun)
Thus all Deities & all sages resides in this temple. In the eight corners, there are eight statues of Ganapati called EKDANTA, MAHODARA, GAJANANA, LAMBODAR, VIKATA, VIGHARAJA, DHUMRAVARNA & VAKRATUNDA.
In this temple complex there are tress 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 & offer him naivaidya of coconut & jaggery.
Nobody is allowed to enter the Sanctum & do Pooja of Moreshwar on his own. The various virtuous deeds performed here are Abhishek Pooja, Sahastravartan, JapaYadnya, Mahadwar Yatra,etc.
SHREE MAYURESHWAR'S IDOL:
The deity 'Moreshwara' inside the sanctum is a very attractive. It is in sitting posture, facing east with the trunk turning left & smeared with vermillion mixed in oil. In its 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 original idol of Moreshwar was small in size. As many layers of vermillion are applied on it, it looks bigger. Sometimes after 100& 125 years this armour of vermillion casts off & original beautiful idol inside this armour is seen again. It has been heard that Mayureshwar's armour had been cast off in 1788 & 1822 A.D.
The original 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 Brahma reconsecrated it twice. After few years Pandavas came there for pilgrimage. They enclosed the idol in tin sheet, So that nobody can try to destroy it.
|| Bhuswanandadhisho Mayureshwaro Vijayate s||
Shree Chintamani (Theur)
About Theur: Theur is situated at a distance of 25kms from pune in Haveli Taluka of Pune District. Theur is situated at the confluence of the Mula,Mutha,& Bhima rivers. Sugar is cultivated on a large scale in Theur. Theur is the nearest astavinayak from Pune.
Getting There:-
- From Mumbai one can go to Pune, from Pune one can reach Theur in the following ways:
- Regular poona motor transport buses are available from Sarasbag or Poolgate bus stand of Pune.
- On Pune Solapur highway,after Hadapsar & Loni,at a distance of 3kms.from Loni a small road to the left leads to Theur.
Shree Chintamani's Temple and Idol:
The main archway of the temple faces north.Temple hall is made up of wood and there is a small fountain made up of black stone in the hall.The courtyard of
the temple is quite big paved with floor. There is a small temple of Lord Shankar in the courtyard of the temple.A big bell can also be seen in the temple. The Idol faces east and is swayambhu (self emanated) and has a left side trunk.There are carbuncle and diamonds in the eyes of Vinayaka.
|| Shree Brahmavardochintamani Ganesh Jayate ||
Shree Varadvinayak (Mahad)
About Mahad: Mahad village is situated in Khalapur taluka of Raigad District.Mahad is surrounded by picturesque surrounding.In monsoon beauty of Mahad is undescrible.Population is very thin.
Getting There:-
- Mumbai - Mahad is 63 Kms. On Mumbai - Panvel - Khopoli road, 6 kms. Before Khopli a road towards right of village Hal, goes to Mahad.
- On Mumbai- Pune railway line, Mahad is at a distance of 24 Kms from Karjat & at a distance of 6 kms from Khopoli.
- Regular State Transport buses & Muncipal Corporation buses are available from Khopoli & Karjat.
Shree Varadvinayak's Temple and Idol:
Shree Dhondu Paudkar in 1690 A.D found the swayambhu idol of shree varadvinayak in al lake.This idol was kept in a nearby goddess temple for some time.afterwards in 1725 A.D Varadvinayak temple was built by peshva 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 tiled roof.There is a Gomukh towards north.holy watre comes out of this gomukh.lake is at the west. Temple is 8 feet long and 8 feet broad.Dome is 25 feet high with golden pinnacle.
the original idol of the varadvinayak can be seen outside the sanctum,Since the idol was in badly weathered condition,temple trustees immersed that idol and consecrated new idol in that place.However,such a decision by the trustees was objected by few people and suit was filed in district court.Two stone idols of Siddhi and Riddhi will be een in the sanctum.Two ganesh idols are situated in the two corners.Idol in the left corner is smeared in vermillion and idol in the right is made up of white marble with trunk turned to the right.The idol is in sitting position,with the trunk turned to the left.The idol faces east.
|| Shreemad Varad Vinayako Vijayate ||
Shree Mahaganpati (Ranjangoan)
About Ranjangoan: Ranjangoan is situated on Pune-Ahmednagar Highway.
Getting There:-
- From Mumbai one can go to Pune, from Pune one can reach Ranjangoan in the following ways:
- State transport buses are available from Pune's Shivajinagar bus stand.
- On Pune-Ahmednagar Highway,Ranjangoan is at a distance of 50kms from Pune.
Shree Mahaganpati's Temple and Idol:
Temple faces east and has a beautiful and big entrance.Idols of two door keepers namely Jay and Vijay are present near the gateway. Nagarkhana is situated above the entrance gate. Main temple looks like temple from peshwa's period.Temple is so constructed that sun rays fall directly on Shree Ganesha's idol.The stone pillars of old temple will be seen in the compound which indicates that architecture of original temple shows similarity to 9th or 10th century architecture.
Idol faces east and is in a crossed legged sitting position with broad forehead and the trunk turned towards the left. Riddhi and Siddhi are on both the sides of Mahaganpati.It is said that the original idol of mahaganpati is hidden in a cellar in the basement.It is also said that it has10 trunks and 20 hands.Meditating on that idol is called Mahaganapati Dhyan.That idol is not taken out usually.That ganesha is called Mahotkata.However temple trustee's have refused the existence of such an idol in the cellar.
|| Shree Tripurarivarado Mahaganpati Vijayate ||
Shree Girijatmaj (Lenyadri)
About Lenyadri: Lenyadri is the only place among Astavinayaka places,which is situated on mountain and in the vicinity of the buddhist cavesLenyadri is situated on the North-west bank of river Kukadi.
Getting There:-
- From Mumbai one can go to Pune, from Pune one can reach Lenyadri in the following ways:
- State transport buses are available for Junnar from shivajinagar bus stand of Pune and from Mumbai Central bus stand of Mumbai.
- Lenyadri is at a distance of 5kms from Junnar. Rickshaws, Jeeps, Buses are available from Junnar bus stand for Lenyadri.
- On Pune-Nasik Highway,Lenyadri is at a distance of 94kms from Pune.
Shree Girijatmaj's Temple and Idol:
Out of 18 Buddhist caves on mountain, Girijatmaj vinayak's temple is in the 8th cave. These caves are also called as ganesh Caves.The Temple is reached after climbing 307 steps.The entire temple is carved outof single stone and is facing south. In front of main mandir, there is huge hall which is nearly 53 feet long and 51 feet broad and there is not a pillar in this hall. The hall of the main mandir is just 7 feet high. It has 6 stone pillars with cows,elephants,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. Idol here is not a seperate idol. It has been carved on a stone wall of the cave. Previously idol as 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.
|| Shree Girijavarado Girijatmajo Jayati ||
Shree Ballaleshwar (Pali)
About Pali: Village Pali is at a distance of 30kms from Karjat in Sudhagad taluka of Raigad district. It is situated between fort Sarasgad and river Amba flowing on the other side. Among Astavinayakas, Pali's Ballaleshwar is the only vinayak who is famous by his devotee's name.This place is very famous and spiritually awakened. Pali comes in Konkan region and so there is greenery everywhere,coconuts and banana trees are abundant.
Getting There:-
- From Mumbai via Panvel & Khopoli,Pali is at a distance of 124kms.
- From Pune via Lonavala & Khopoli,Pali is at a distance of 111kms.
- Regular bus services are available from Mumbai, Pune, Khopoli, Karjat, & Panvel.
Shree Ballaleshwar's Temple and Idol:
Original wooden temple was renovated & new stone temple was built in 1760 A.D. Temple complex is tiled and it encircles two lakes. Shape of the stone is in form of letter 'shree' and faces east. There are two Sanctums in the temple. Inner Sanctum is quite big and is 15 feet high. Outer sanctum is 12 feet high and it has rat idol with Modak in his hands and facing Ganesh. Hall of the temple is 40 feet long and 20 feet broad and it is very beautiful with 8 pillars resembling cyprus throne tree. Temple complex has a big bell made in Europe.
Idol of Vinayaka sitting on stone throne,faces east and its trunk is left turned.the shiningdiamonds are embedded in the eyes & naval.The background is of silver where one finds Riddhi and Siddhi waving chamaras.
|| Shri Ballalo Vinayako Jayate ||
Shree Siddhivinayak (Siddhatek)
About Siddhatek: Siddhatek lies in Karjat taluka of Ahmednagar district.It is situated on the banks of river Bhima. Wheat and Sugarcane fields are seen everywhere.Small houses covered with grass and walls made up of soil is speciality of this area.
Getting There:-
- From Mumbai one can go to Pune, from Pune one can reach Siddhatek in the following ways:
- State transport buses are available from Pune's swargate bus depot and Shivajinagar bus stand.
- On Pune-Solapur railway line, get down at Daund railway station,from Daund, Siddhatek is at a distance of 18kms.State transport buses are available till Shirapur which is 1km prior to Siddhatek.By walking down 1km from Shirapur you come across river Bhima.On crossing river Bhima by boat you will come in Siddhatek.
- If you go to Siddhatek without crossing the river you have to follow a long route of 48kms from Daund-Kashti-Pedgoan.
Shree Siddhivinayak's Temple and Idol:
Shree Siddhivinayak’s temple is on hill top facing north. The swayambhu idol of Shree Siddhivinayaka is placed in brass frame. Brass idols of Jay & Vijay are placed on both sides of Siddhivinayaka. In the Sanctum itself there is a Shivapanchayatan & goddess Shiva’s small temple. Hall of the temple was previously built by Baroda’s landlord late Shri Mairal. It was broken in 1939 & was rebuilt by all Ganesh devotees in 1970. The idol is swayambhu, three feet tall, facing north with his trunk turned right. Idol is Gajmukh, however belly of the idol is not big. Riddhi & Siddhi are sitting on one lap of Vinayaka. Face is very calm & serene. The pradakshana (circumnavigation) of this God is said to be very fruitful. One has to travel 5 k.m. to comple one pradakshana as the idol is attached to the hill itself.
|| Shree Madhukaitabhavivardo Ganesha Jayati ||
Shree Vighneshwar (Ozar)
About Vighneshwar : Lord Ganesha here is worshipped in his incarnation as 'Vigneshwara' or the remover of obstacles. Around 85 km near Narayangaon, off Pune-Nashik Road, this place is famous for its garland of lights or deep mala.
Getting There:-
- From Mumbai one can go to Pune, from Pune one can reach Siddhatek in the following ways:
- Road: Off the Pune-Solapur Highway. 48 km from Srigonda; 19 km from Daund.
- Rail: Alight at Boribyal station on the Pune-Solapur line. The temple stands about Eleven km from this station, across the river Bhima. Regular State Transport buses ply from the station. One could also alight at Daund and take a bus.
Shree Vighneshwar's Temple and Idol:
Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the right. The temple faces the north and has idols of other gods like Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati. Vishnu vanquished the demons Madhu and Kaitab after propitiating Ganesha here. Moraya Gosavi of Chinchwad is believed to have performed penance here. The sanctum of the temple was built by Ahilyabai Holkar. It is believed that Haripant Phadke regained his position as army chief after he paid obeisance at this temple. A dharmashala for travelling pilgrims has been built here. Ozar Vigneshwara Temple is located at Ozar, about 10 km from Junnar in Maharashtra. It is one of the Ashta Vinayakas or the 8 sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesh in Maharashtra. Ozar is around 102 km north of Pune en-route to Nasik.
Built in 1833, the temple is situated on the banks of Kukadi River. This east facing temple enshrines a Swayambhu idol of Lord Ganesh flanked by his consorts Siddhi and Buddhi. The image of the deity is decorated with precious and semi precious stones. The idol of a running mouse inside the temple is a delight to see. Ozar Vigneshwara Temple is renowned for its Deepmala's (garland of lights) and its golden dome. The temple has a spacious courtyard, a grand entrance, sculptural and mural work. Ganesh Chaturthi and Tripuri Purnima are the major festivals celebrated here. State transport buses are available from Junnar to Ozar. Private buses and vehicles reach directly up to the temple.
|| Shree Vighneshwara Jayati ||
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