Mahaganpati Ranjangaon – 8th and last temple in the series of Ashtavinayak Temples.

The Ashtavinayak ganpati of Ranjangaon is famous as Mahaganpati. The Mahaganpati Ranjangaon temple is located in Shirur taluka of Pune district and is the eighth and last Asthavinayak shrine to be visited by devotees who set out on the divine Ashtavinayak Yatra/tour. It is believed that this village was established by lord Shiva and was known as Manipur.

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About Mahaganpati Ranjangaon

The Ashthavinayak temple of Mahaganpati Ranjangaon is the eighth temple and last Ashthavinayak shrine to be visited by devotees who set out on the divine Ashtavinayak Yatra/tour. We visited Mahaganpati Ranjangaon as first Ganesha on day two of our Ashtavinayak tour. After visiting Shri. Vighnahar temple, Theur as the last Ashthavinayak temple of day 1.

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We reached this temple early morning. So we did not face much queue. It is said that lord Ganesha at Ranjangaon has several arms and trunks and hence it is known as Mahaganapati. It is believed, that right from the time of Mughal invasion, another idol is hidden below the present idol which has 10 trunks and 20 arms. This idol is known as Mahotkat.

A Gold Smith family the Khollams inaugurated and denoted the Mahaganapati Ranjangaon idol. It is said that Sardar Kine build the Sabha mandap of this Ashthavinayak temple But the main temple was build by Shrimant Peshwa Madhavrao.

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The Ashthavinayak temple faces east and recently a huge & beautiful entrance gate is build. The Mahaganapati Ranjangaon temple has been constructed in such a manner that the Sun rays falls on the idol during the southern movement of the sun. Like all other Ashtavinayak temples the Ganesha idol of Mahaganpati Ranjangaon is Swayambhu (self manifested). Mahaganapati is seen seated on a lotus and flanked by his consorts Riddhi-Siddhi.

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After taking the darshan of Shri. Mahaganpati Ranjangaon we also took the darshan of the shivlinga in the temple premises. It is believed that if one makes a navas (vow made to fulfill wish) to Shri. Mahaganpati Ranjangaon it gets fulfilled. So one often find many devotees at this place.

Another speciality of Ranjangaon is seen during Ganesh Chathurti. In other parts of Maharashtra everyone brings Ganesha’s idol at home and worship it during Ganesh Chatthurti. However, at Ranjangaon it is believe that the Mahaganpati idol is so powerful that the people visit the temple itself rather than bringing the Ganesha’s idol home.

The legend of Mahaganpati Ranjangaon

Demon Tripurasura had become the king of three world i.e. heaven, hell and earth. After his victory, Tripurasura became more arrogant and started creating more havoc. Lord Shiva tried to defeat demon Tripurasura but failed. So after the advise of Narad Muni, lord Shiva started worshipping lord Ganesha. Sitting in Padmasana (Lotus Position), lord Shiva started chanting the mantra ‘Om’.

Pleased from the worship. Lord Ganesha took a Divine form and appeared in front of lord Shiva. This Divine form had five heads, ten hands, had a Chandrakor (symbol of fourth lunar day) on its forehead and it wore the Vasuki (serpent king) necklace. This Omkar Ganesha, told lord Shiva to chant the सहस्त्रनाम sankat nashan stotra before firing the arrow on Tripurasura. Lord Shiva did as told and killed the demon Tripurasur.

Since, Omkar Ganesha appeared at this placed, lord Shiva build a temple at Ranjangaon and established the Shri. Mahaganpati idol in this temple. Mahaganpati Ranjangaon likes Moti (pearl) and the Povala Mani (Coral) and hence this place came to be known as Manipur.

Insider tips:

1. How to reach
   1. By bus: There are frequent State Transport buses from Shivajinagar Pune for Ranjangaon. Also, the buses going towards Ahmadnagar-Aurangabad stop at Ranjangaon on request.
   2. By train: The Urali railways station on Pune -Daund route in the is about 10 k.m. from Ranjangaon.
   3. By air: Pune airport is the nearest airport to reach Shri. Mahaganpati Ranjangaon Ashthavinayak Temple. From the airport one can take the state transport buses or hire a Taxi to reach this Ashtavinayak temple.
2. Best time to visit: In Ranjangaon, in the month of Bhadrapada villagers do not bring Ganesh idol in their houses, instead everybody comes in the temple for Ganesh pooja. So on visiting Ranjangaon in the month of Bhadrapada one can witness the special 6 days festival. During this festival, on fifth day a Mahabhog is offered to the temple deity. The temple deity is also taken around the area in a flower palkhi (palanquin). It’s worth watching the palkhi.
   Wrestling matches are also organized as a part of the festival. It’s fun to witness these matched. Finally, on the sixth day devotees take darshan of murti & then go to Mahaganapati’s temple by performing Lotangan (rolling one’s self over & over) on the way. So, I would recommend visiting Mahaganpati Ranjangaon during this six days festival in the month of Bhadrapad.
3. Distance to other Ashtavinayak temples: 
   1. Shri. Mahaganpati Ranjangaon to Shri Varad Vinayak temple Mahad– 124 k.m via Bengaluru – Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Expy (approximately 3 hour)
   2. Shri. Mahaganpati Ranjangaon to Shri Mayureshwar Ganpati temple, Morgaon – 70 k.m via Shirur – Satara Rd (approximately 2 hour)
   3. Shri. Mahaganpati Ranjangaon to Shri Chintamani temple Theur – 45 k.m via Aurangabad – Ahmednagar – Pune Hwy/Beed – Ahmednagar – Pune Rd/Kopargaon – Shirdi – Ahmednagar – Pune Hwy/Parner – Pune Hwy/Pune – Ahmednagar Hwy (approximately 1 hour 20 mins)
   4. Shri. Mahaganpati Ranjangaon to Shri Vigneshwara temple, Ozar – 65 k.m via Narayangaon – Ozar Rd (approximately 2 hours 10 mins) 
   5. Shri. Mahaganpati Ranjangaon to Shri Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri – 76 k.m. via Narayangaon – Junnar Rd (approximately 2 hours 30 mins)
   6. Shri. Mahaganpati Ranjangaon to Shri Ballaleshwar, Pali – 160 k.m. via Bengaluru – Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Expy (approximately 4 hours 20 mins)
   7. Shri. Mahaganpati Ranjangaon to Shri Siddhivinayak, Siddhatek – 94 k.m. via MH SH 50 (approximately 2 hours 20 mins)

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In Nutshell

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.