Ashtavinayak Detail

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AshtavinayakaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Ashtavinayak and anOmin between

Ashtavinayaka literally means "eightGaneshas" inSanskrit. Ganesha is theHindudeity of obstacles, unity, prosperity and

learning. The term refers to eightGaneshas. Ashtavinayaka yatra refers to a pilgrimage to the eightHindu

templesinMaharashtrastateofIndiathat house eight distinct idols of Ganesha, in a pre-ascertained sequence.

The Ashtavinayakayatraor pilgrimage covers the eight ancient holy temples of Ganesha which are situated aroundPune.

Each of these temples has its own individual legend and history, as distinct from each other as themurtisin each temple.

The form of each murti of Ganesha and His trunk are distinct from one another. However, there are other temples of eight

Ganesha in various other parts of Maharashtra; the ones around Pune are more well known than the former.

Contents

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1 The eight temples

o 1.1 Mayureshwar

o 1.2 Siddhivinayak

o 1.3 Ballaleshwar

o 1.4 Varadavinayak

o 1.5 Chintamani

o 1.6 Girijatmak

o 1.7 Vighnahar

o 1.8 Mahaganapati

2 See also

3 References
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The eight temples

The eight temples/idols of the Ashtavinayak in their religious sequence are:

Ashtavinayak Temples

# Temple Location Map

1 Moreshwar Temple Morgaon, DistrictPune

2 Siddhivinayak Temple Siddhatek,District Ahmadnagar

3 Ballaleshwar Temple Pali, District Raigad

4 Varadavinayak Temple Mahad, District Raigad

5 Chintamani Temple Theur,DistrictPune

6 Girijatmaj Temple Lenyadri, DistrictPune

7 Vighnahar Temple Ozar, DistrictPune

8 Mahaganapati Temple Ranjangaon,DistrictPune

According to Shastra, first you have to visit Moreshwar of Moregaon. Then visit Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Thevur, Lenyandri,

Ozar, Ranjangaon, and then again Moregaon will end your AshtavinayakYatra.

All thesemurtisare calledSwayambhueffigies, or the self-existentinSanskrit. This is to indicate that no human created

thesemurtis, they were found completely formed by nature.
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Mayureshwar

Main article:Morgaon Ganesha temple

This is the most important temple on this tour. The temple, built from black-stone during the Bahamanireign, has four gates

(It is supposed to have been built by one of the knights named Mr. Gole, from the court of Bidar's Sultan). The temple is

situated in the centre of the village. The temple is covered from all sides by four Minaretsand gives feeling of amosqueifseen from a distance. This was done to prevent attacks on the temple duringMughalperiods. The temple has 50 feet tall

wall around it.

Shri Mayureshwar, Morgaon

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

onlyShivatemples. 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.

Themurtiof Lord Ganesha, riding a peacock, in the form of Mayureshwara is believed to have slain the demon Sindhu at

this spot. The idol, with its trunk turned to the left, has a cobra (Nagaraja) poised over it protecting it. This form of Ganesha

also has two othermurtisof Siddhi (Capability) and Riddhi (Intelligence).

However, this is not the originalmurti-which is said to have been consecrated twice by Brahma, once before and once after

being destroyed by theasuraSindhurasur. The originalmurti, 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 theMarathiname of the birdPeacock- also the national bird of India; there used to be a lot of

peacocks in this village in the ancient time, and the village is also set out in the shape of a peacock.
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Siddhivinayak

Main article:Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek

GodVishnuis supposed to have vanquished theasurasMadhuandKaitabhafter propitiating Ganesha here.

This is the onlymurtiof these eight with the trunk positioned to the right.

Shri Siddhi Vinayak, Siddhatek

It is believed that the two saints ShriMorya Gosaviand 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 byPeshwa's

general Haripant Phadake. The inner sanctum, 15 feet high and 10 feet wide is built by PunyashlokaAhilyabai Holkar. The

idol is 3feet tall and 2.5feet wide. The idol faces North-direction. The stomach of the murtiis not wide, but Riddhi and

Siddhimurtisare sitting on one thigh. Thismurti'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 thehillock. This takes about 30 minutes with moderate speed.

Peshwageneral Haripant Phadake lost hisGeneral's position and did 21 Pradakshina around the temple. On the 21st

dayPeshwa'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 thegeneral. The stone pathway is built from the

Badami-Castle which was attacked by Haripant soon after he became thegeneral.

This temple is situated off the Pune-Solapur highway about 48 km from the town of Srigonda inAhmadnagardistrict.[citation

needed] The temple is situated next toBhimariver. On Pune-Solapur railway, Daund Railway station is 18 km from here.
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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.

Shri Ballaleshwar, Pali

The original wooden temple was reconstructed in to a stone temple byNana Phadanavisin 1760. There are two small lakes

constructed on two sides of the temple. One of them is reserved for thepuja(worship) of the Deity.

This Temple faces the east and has two sanctums. The inner one houses themurtiand has a Mushika (Ganesha's

mousevahana) 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 Cyprus 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 Ganeshamurtiat sunrise. The temple is

built with stones which are stuck together very tight using melted lead.

Like a few othermurtis, 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.

Behind this temple is the temple of Shri Dhundi-Vinayak[citation needed]

which is West facing. This is a very rare idol which is

facing the West. The story says that this idol was the same one which was thrown by Ballala's father (Kalyani-seth) while

Ballala was worshipping it.

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
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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 got frightened but Ballal who was

engrossed in Pooja and japa, did not even know what was happening around. 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.

Shri Dhundi Vinayak

In the above mentioned story the stone idol which Ballal used to worship and which was thrown away by Kalyan Sheth is

known as Dhundi Vinayak. The idol is facing west. The birth celebration of Dhundi Vinayak takes place from Jeshtha

Pratipada to Panchami. From ancient time, it is a practice to take darshan of Dhundi Vinayak before proceeding to main idolShree Ballaleshwar.


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Varadavinayak

Shri Varada Vinayak, Mahad

Main article:Varadvinayak

Website : varadvinayak.com (Non Official website) Here you can get all information about lord Varadvinayak.

The handsome Prince Rukmangad refused sage Vachaknavi's wife Mukunda's illicit call, and was cursed to suffer from

leprosy. Mukunda was satisfied byIndrawho deceived her as Rukmangad and she bore a child by name Grutsamad. When

Grutsamad came to know about the real story he cursed his mother Mukunda to become the tree of Bori and she in turn

cursed him to bore a demon son named Tripurasur, the one who was defeated by Shivaafter praying the Ranjangaon

Ganesha. Grutsamad after getting cursed went to the forest of Pushpak and worshipped Ganesha. Sage Grutsamad is

famous for the mantra GaNanaN Tva. He founded the temple and called this Ganesha: Varada-Vinayak.

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[citation needed] 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 8feet by 8feet. 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 Pune-Mumbai highway nearKhopoli(80 km from Pune), and is thus closest

toMumbaicity. Karjat Railway Station,Karjaton Mumbai-Pune railway is 24 km from this place and 6 km from Khopoli.
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Chintamani

Main article:Chintamani Temple, Theur

Shri Chintamani, Theur

Ganeshais believed to have got back the precious Chinatamani jewel from the greedyGunafor sageKapilaat 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

byPeshwas. 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 MadhavraoPeshwabuilt the outer

wooden hall.

This idol also has a left trunk, with carbuncle and diamonds as its eyes. The idol faces the East side.

Theur's Chintamani was the family deity of Shrimant Madhavrao IPeshwa[citation needed]. He suffered fromtuberculosisand died

at a very young age (~27years). He is supposed to have died in this temple. His wife, Ramabai committedSatiwith him on

18 November 1772.

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 riversMula, Mutha & Bhima.
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Girijatmak

Main article:Lenyadri

Shri Girijatmaj, 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 8th 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 53feet long, 51feet wide and 7feet in height.

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 up by the sun-rays!

The temple is situated 12 km from Narayangaon, which is about 94 km from Pune on the Pune-Nashik highway. Nearest

railway station is Talegaon. From Junnar, Lenyadri is about 5 km. Shivaneri castle is close by (5 to 6 km) where

ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj was born.
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Vighnahar

Main article:Vigneshwara Temple, Ozar

Shri Vighneshwar Vinayak, Ozhar

The history encompassing this idol states that Vighnasur, a demon was created by the King of Gods, Indrato 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 1785AD.

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.
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Mahaganapati

Main article:Ranjangaon Ganpati

Shri Mahaganapti, Ranjangaon

Shivais believed to have worshipped Ganesha before fighting the demon Tripurasura here. The temple was built by Shiva

where he worshipped Ganesha, and the town he set up was called Manipur which is now known as Ranjangaon.

The idol faces the east, is seated in a cross-legged position with a broad forehead, with its trunk pointing to the left. It is said

that the original idol is hidden in the basement, having 10 trunks and 20 hands and is called Mahotkat, however, the temple

authorities deny existence of any such idol.

Constructed so that the rays of the sun fall directly on the idol (during the Southward movement of the sun), the temple bears

a distinct resemblance to the architecture reminiscent of the 9th and 10th Centuries and faces the east. Shrimant Madhavrao

Peshwaused to visit this temple very often and built the stone sanctum around the idol and in 1790AD Mr. Anyaba Dev was

authorised to worship the idol.

Ranjangaoncha Mahaganapati is considered to be one of the Ashta Vinayak shrines of Maharashtra, celebrating eight

instances of legends related to Ganesha.

Legend has it that a demon by name Tripurasura built three powerful citadels (the evil Tripuram forts); with a boon of

invincibility granted to him by Shiva he caused suffering to all beings in the heavens and on earth. Upon hearing the fervent

appeals of the Gods, Shiva intervened, and realized that he could not defeat the demon. It was upon hearing Narada Muni's

advice that Shiva saluted Ganesha and then shot a single arrow that pierced through the citadels, bringing an end to the

demon.

Shiva, the slayer of the Tripura citadels is enshrined at Bhimashankaram nearby.

A variation of this legend is commonly known in South India. Ganesha is said to have caused the axle in Shiva's chariot to

break, as the latter headed to battle the demon without saluting Ganesha before he set out. Upon realizing his act of

omission, Shiva saluted his son Ganesha, and then proceeded victoriously to a short battle against the powerful demon.

(See Acharapakkam - an ancient temple in Tamil Nadu glorified by the 1st millennium Tamil hymns enshrining Shiva

associated with this legend, as well as Tiruvirkolam and Tiruvatikai - both over 1200 years old, associated with the legend of

Tripurasamhaaram).

(The Tamil lines of 15th century saint poet Arunagirinathar: 'Muppuram eri seida, Acchivan urai ratham, acchadu podi seida

athi deera' where he describes Ganesha as the valiant hero, who caused the axle of Shiva's chariot to crumble to dust, as

Shiva headed out to destroy Tripurasura, narrate this legend.)
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The Temple: Mahaganapati is portrayed, seated on a lotus, flanked by his consorts Siddhi and Ridhi. The temple dates back

to the period of Peshwa Madhav Rao.

The temple of Maha Ganpati is very close to the centre of the town Ranjangaon. The temple was erected during the rule of

the Peshwas. Peshwa Madhavrao had constructed the Garbhagriha, the sanctum to house the swayambhoo statue.

The temple faces east. It has an imposing main gate which is guarded by two statues of Jay and Vijay. The temple is

designed in such away that during Dakshinayan[ the apparent movement of the son to the south] the rays of the sun fall

directly on the deity.

The deity is seated and flanked on both sides by Riddhi and Siddhi. The trunk of the deity turns to the left. There is a local

belief that the real statue of Mahaganpati is hidden in some vault and this statue has ten trunks and twenty arms. But there is

nothing to substantiate this belief.

Festivals: As with all other Vinayak temples, Ganesha Chaturti is celebrated in great splendor here.

Documents

Ashtavinayak Detail