Last year nearing Ganesh Chathurthi, which usually falls in the month of August-September I completed Ashtha Vinayak Yatra from Mumbai. Ashta in sanskrit means 8. In Maharashtra state, at 8 places, 5 temples are around Pune and 3 temples around Raigad, Lord Ganesh appeared Swayambhu. The statues were found during Maratha and Peshwa rule who constructed the temples. Each temple has a historical story behind.
August September being monsoon months of Maharashtra with rains thrashing and highways filled with running water, we planned our journey. After enough research, survey we divided the temples into two portions. First five temples we reached Pune from Mumbai, stayed overnight. Next day through hotel travel desk driver we started our journey.
There are two beliefs behind, this Yatra. Our driver shared with us. One is the first temple - Moregaon when we visit a prayer needs to be offered. Second after completing the Yatra we should visit Moregaon once again to thank God. So one weekend from Mumbai in four hours time we reached Pune. We checked in at Sayaji hotel. Thereby starting our Yatra.
1) MAYURESHWAR TEMPLE- MOREGAON
From Pune two hours drive took us to Mayureshwar temple. This temple is located in Moregaon town. It is the first ashta Vinayak called as Adhyapitha. The myth story is lord Ganesha knocked a mango from where a peacock arised. Lord Ganesh sat on the peacock and rode all through the town. During Maratha reign He appeared in Sri Morya Gosavi dream thereby building this temple.
2)SIDDHIVINAYAK TEMPLE- SIDDHATEK
From Moregaon one hour takes you to Siddhatek where second ashta Vinayak Sri siddhivinayak is present. Myth story is to kill demon Madhu. Lord Vishnu performs a yaga from where Lord Ganesh appears. In 18th century a cowherd found His statue thereby building this temple.
3) CHINTHAMANI TEMPLE- THEUR
From Siddhatek third stop was towards Chintamani temple at Theur. An hour and half an hour drive took us to this town called as one of the largest Astha Vinayaka. Myth story is King Gana gets to know Sage Kapila has Chinthamani jewel. So when he tries killing the sage, Lord Ganesh appears and destroys the king. He then stays back in Theur under kadamba tree. Maratha empire discovered His statue and built an temple around. Ganesh Jayanthi is very grandly celebrated here.
4) SRI MAHAGANAPATHI TEMPLE - RANJANGAON-
From Theur an hour drive turning left takes you to Ranjangaon Mahaganapathi temple. Built by Peshwa rule, this temple is in a house format. Belief is Madhav Rao Peshwa worshipped lord Ganesha which was handed over to Khollam family. The temple we see today is renovated facing east. Mahotkhat is another name of Lord Ganesha here.
5) SRI VIGNESHWAR GANAPATHI TEMPLE- OZAR
From Ranjangaon two and half hour drive took us to Ozar where Vigneshwar Ganapathi is present. He is also known as Sri Vighnahar Ganapathi. Myth story is Lord Indra felt ashamed that respect was not given to him. So he forms a demon to kill King Abhinandan. Here Lord Ganesh appears and slays the demon. This temple was built by Chimaji Appa in 1967, which was later renovated and the temple we are seeing today.
6) SRI BALLALESHWAR TEMPLE- PALI
From Mumbai we took Khopoli route. Turning left entered Raigad district from where half an hour away took us to Pali Ballaleshwar temple. From Mumbai this temple is two hours away. The story is there was a boy named Ballal. One such day while playing with friend, he lost time track. He found a stone carved like Lord Ganesh and started doing Pooja. Worried parents found the children, and Ballal father thrashed him. That’s when Lord Ganesh appears. Since He appeared for the child, He took the name Ballaleshwar.
7) SRI VARADA VINAYAK - MAHAD
From Pali Mahad is one hour away. Coming under Kharjat district this temple is near Lonavala and Panvel. The myth story is Rishi Mukunda wife fell in love with King Rukmaganda. Lord Indra who knew about this took the form of the king. Together they had a child. Soon the child gets to know about its birth and curses his mother. In turn the mother curses the child. That’s when Indra appears saying he is the father. During prayer Lord Ganesh appears and removes the curse. Built in 1725 AD there is a beautiful pond in this temple.
8) SRI GIRIJATMAJA TEMPLE- LENAYDRI-
Also known as Ganesh lena or Ganesh Pahad, located in Junnar district from Mahad we reached this temple in two hours. This was our last stop of Astha Vinayak too. By afternoon we reached. Being a Sunday the temple was open 24/7. So from below there is a trek pathway which takes you to the tempo. On a rainy day the pathway will be closed. Since I am a slow climber, it took about 40 minutes to reach the spot. This temple comes under Cave 7 of the whole mountain. The myth story is mantra “Gam” was started from here. During Peshwa rule, they used swords to carve and find the Lord. This temple comes under archaeological survey of India.
From here after lunch we got back to Mumbai directly. Though I would name our travel as Tirtha Yatra, I enjoyed the lovely view of Sahyadri ranges during drive. Especially the part where clouds envelope the mountain peak. At the same time I got a chance to explore villages of Maharashtra who served yummy, yet spicy food all through. In quest of spirituality, got to know a lot about Lord Ganesh stories and temples.
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