As per Hinduism Punara, there are 33 million Hindus gods in all. Out of these god, Lord Ganesha also known as Ganapati and Vinayaka is widely admired. He is believed to be remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences and the deva of intellect and wisdom. As the god of beginnings, he is honoured at the start of rituals and ceremonies. In Maharashtra there are eight Ashtavinayak temples which represents the rich history and belief behind this Omkar Ganesha which makes these Ashtavinayak temples a must visit Ganesha temples in Maharashtra.
Ashtavinayak means eight Vinayaka or Ganesha. All these eight Ganesha are Swayambhu (Self-manifested). Each Ashtavinayak temple has its own individual legend and history, as is distinct from other Ashtavinayak temple in terms of its murtis (idols). The Ashtavinayak tour covers all these eight ancient holy Ganesh temples in Maharashtra. It is believed that, if one does this Ashtavinayak temples tour with devotion his or her desire gets fulfilled. This makes these Ashtavinayak temples a must visit Ganesha temples in Maharashtra.
Ashtavinayak temples tour route that we took
These Ashtavinayak temples are situated at Morgaon, Ranjangaon, Theur, Lenyadri, Ojhar, Siddhatek, Pali and Mahad. These places are at Pune, Ahamadnagar and Raigad district. Of the 8 vinayakas, 6 are in Pune district area and 2 in Raigad district but still comparatively nearer to the Pune areas. Hence making the, a must visit Ganesha temples near Pune. It is said that one should start the Ashtavinayak temples tour from Morgaon and end at it at Morgaon. The following shlok tells the same.
स्वस्ति श्री गणनायकंगजमुखं मोरेश्वरम सिध्दिदम |
बल्लाळम, मुरुडं, विनायक – मढंचिंतामणी थेवरम |
लेन्यांद्री गिरिजात्मज सुवर्दमविघ्नेश्वरम ओझरम |
ग्रामो रांजण संस्थितो गणपती :कुर्यात सदा मंगलम ||
The Ashtavinayak temples tour should be done in a prescribed order. However, I believe one should do the Ashtavinayak temples tour as per the convince of the route and enjoy the religious and historic importance of the place along with the travel experience. Considering this we did our Ashtavinayak temples tour through Purple travel. It was nicely arranged three days two night tour with a proper tour guide. The stay, lunch and dinner was nicely organized. Since the tour did not start with Morgaon at the start but ended with Morgaon Ashtavinayak. We did Morgaon Ashtavinayak in our own a day before the tour and then did the tour again with Morgaon as last Ashtavinayak.
Our Asthavinayak tour group performing Pooja at Morgaon Mayureshwar Ganpati temple
Here is an inside into these must visit Ganesha temples i.e. Ashtavinayak temples in Maharashtra.
1. Shri. Mayureshwar Ashtavinayak temple, Morgaon.
Shri Moreshwar Ganpati temple or Shri Mayureshwar Ganpati temple of Morgaon has great importance among the Ashtavinayak (pilgrimage of eight Ganesha temples) temples of Maharashtra. Infact, Morgaon Mayureshwar Ganpati Temple is one of the most popular Ashtavinayak temple. This small and beautiful temple is located on the bank of river Karha in Baramati Taluka of Pune district and is just 65 km from Pune city. This place also happen to be an adhya Peeth – foremost centre of worship of the Ganapatya sect, which considers Ganesha as the Supreme Being. The saint Morya Gosavi, a famous devotee of Ganesha was also born here. This religious significance of the temple attracts many devotees to the Morgaon Mayureshwar Ganpati temple every year making it an amazing weekend getaway near Pune. Read More..
2. Shri. Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek
Siddhivinayak Ganapati at Siddhatek is famous as the one who gives siddhi. The temple is the second Ashtavinayaka temple in the Indian state of Maharashtra and the only Ashtavinayaka shrine in Ahmednagar district. Located on the bank of Bhima river this is the only Ashtavinayak Ganesha whose trunk is turned to the right. Many devotees are attracted to the Siddhatek every year to seek the blessing of this Ashtavinayak.The southern bank of Bhima river is considered as pure and holy. It is said that even if the river overflows the sound of the water is not heard in this region. Read More..
3. Ballaleshwar Ashtavinayak Temple, Pali
The temple of Shri Ballaleshwar Ganesha temple is located in Pali village of Raigad district in Sudhagad taluka. It lies between fort Sarasgad and the river Amba. The Ballaleshwar temple Pali is the third Ganesha temple to be visited during the Asthavinayak Darshan tour. Shri Ballaleshwar temple is the only Ganesha among all Asthavinayaks, who is famous by his devotee’s name Balla. It is said that, the Peshwas use to take oath of Shri Ballaleshwar before beginning any court related work. Read More..
4. Shri Varad Vinayak, Mahad
Shri Varad Vinayak one of the eight Ashtavinayak Ganesha residing at Mahad is the only Ashtavinayak temple where devotes are allowed to enter the Garbagriha and pay their homage and respects to the idol personally. The Vinayaka is said to be the giver of bounty and success. One of the most amazing fact about the Ashtavinayak temple is that, there is an oil lamp in this shrine which is said to be burning continuously since 1892. Read More..
5. Chintamani Ashtavinayak Temple, Theur
The Ashtavinayak temple of Shri. Chintamani is located in Theur Village, which falls in Haveli taluka of Pune district near the confluence of river Bhima and the conjoint river Mula-Mutha. Of all the Ashtavinayak temples, Shri. Chintamani temple Theur is one of the larger and more famous Ashtavinayak temple. Chintamani temple Theur is prescribed to the fifth temple to be visited in the Ashtavinayak circuit. Read More..
6. Girijatmaj Ashtavinayak Temple, Lenyadri.
The Lenyadri village is located in Junnar Taluka of Pune district on the bank of river Kukadi. Among all the Ashtavinayak temples, Girijatmaj temple Lenyadri is the only Ashtavinayak temple located on a mountain and it stands in the seventh cave, of the complex of 18 caves that date back to the 3rd century and hence the name Girijatmaj Lenyadri. Read More..
7. Vighnahar Ashtavinayak Temple, Ozar.
The Vigneshwara Temple or Vighnahar Temple Ozar lies in Junnar taluka of Pune district. This beautiful city of Ozar lies on the bank of river Kukadi. Though Ozar is prescribed to the seventh temple to be visited in the Ashtavinayak circuit, pilgrims often visit Ozar fifth, as it is a more convenient route. This Ashtavinayak temple is well-known around the world due to its Golden dome (Sonayacha Kalash) as well as its Deepmala’s (a stone pillar). Read More..
8. Mahaganpati Ashtavinayak temple, Ranjangaon.
The Ashtavinayak ganpati of Ranjangaon is famous as Mahaganpati. The Mahaganpati Ranjangaon temple located in Shirur taluka of Pune district, is the eighth and last Asthavinayak shrine to be visited by devotees who set out on the divine Ashtavinayak Yatra/tour. Its proximity to pune is a plus point, since pune is the hub to visit all eight temples of ashtvinayaka pilgrimage. The Ganesha here is believed to be the most powerful and fullfills Navi’s. This attracts many devotees to this holy and Divine Ashtavinayak Temple. The six days festival celebrated at Shri. Mahaganpati Ranjangaon in Bhadrapada is worth watching. Read More..
In nutshell
All these eight Ashtavinayaka’s are Swayambhu. Each Ashtavinayak temple has its own individual legend and history, as is distinct from other Ashtavinayak temples in terms of its murtis (idols). The Ashtavinayak tour covers all these eight ancient holy Ganesh temples in Maharashtra. It is believed that, if one does this Ashtavinayak temples tour with devotion his or her desire gets fulfilled. This makes these Ashtavinayak temples must-visit Ganesha temples in Maharashtra.
