Shri Varad Vinayak Mahad – The only Asthavinayak Temple were devotees can enter the Garbagriha.

Shri. Varad Vinayak one of the eight Ashtavinayak Ganesha resides at Mahad (also know as Mahd). This Swayambu (self-manifested) Ganesha is situated in Khalapur Taluka of Raigad district. It lies on Mumbai-Pune National highway 4 near the Haal village. This is the only Ashtavinayak temple where devotes are allowed to enter the Garbagriha and pay their homage and respects to the idol personally. Here, is a detailed information on the Ashtavinayak temple of Shri. Varad Vinayak Mahad.

About Varad Vinayak Mahad

The Varad Vinayak Mahad is the Seventh Ganesha temple among Ashtavinayak temples to be visited during the Ashtavinayak Darshan yatra/tour. However, since we were starting our Ashtavinayak tour from Mumbai, we visited this Ganesha first and started our Ashtavinayak tour with its blessing. We visited this Ashtavinayak temple on a Shiv Jayanti, early morning hours so there was huge queue inside the temple. Since there is a Shivlinga inside the temple.

The temple houses two idol of lord Ganesha. One idol which is the original idol is placed outside the sanctum and the other is the new idol placed as Varad Vinayak Mahad. Since the original idol was in a badly weathered condition, the temple trustees immersed that idol and consecrated a new idol in that place. However, this decision of trustees was objected by people and a suit was filed in the district court. Result of this case is still awaited. The sanctum made up of stone and surrounded by beautifully carved stone elephant carvings, houses the idol.

This Ashtavinayak temple was built in 1725 AD by Subhedar Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar. The idol of this temple Varada Vinayak is a swayambu and was found in the adjoining lake in an immersed position in 1690 AD. The temple is very simply designed with a tiled roof, a dome 25 feet high with golden pinnacle and a golden summit (Kalas) which has a carving of a cobra. The Temple is 8 feet long and 8 feet broad. The temple premises are on one side of a beautiful pond.

Shri. Varad Vinayak Mahad, idol is east facing and has his trunk turned to the left. 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. This temple also has the idol of Mushika, Navagraha Devtas and Shivalinga. There are 4 elephant idols guarding the 4 sides of the temple. This is the only Ashtavinayak Temple were devotees can enter the Garbagriha and pay their homage and respects to the idol personally.

After a huge queue we got the darshan of Shri. Varad Vinayak Mahad. The site of this Mahad Ashtavinayak calmed our mind and was worth the wait.

The legend of Shri. Varad Vinayak Mahad

It is said that, there was a childless king Bhima of Koudinyapur. He and his wife met the sage Vishwamitra while they had come to forest for penance. Vishwamitra gave them a mantra (incantation) ‘ Ekashar Gajana Mantra’ to chant. After chanting the mantra the queen gave birth to a son and their heir, the prince Rukmaganda. Rukmaganda grew up into a beautiful young prince. 

One day, Rukmaganda went on a hunting trip and stopped at the hermitage of Rishi Vachaknavi. At the site of the handsome prince the Rishi’s wife, Mukunda, fell in love with him and asked him to fulfill her desires. Rukmaganda left the ashram refusing her requesting and leaving behind a lovesick Mukunda. Knowing Mukunda’s plight, King Indra took the form of Rukmaganda and made love with her. Mukunda became pregnant and gave birth to a son Gritsamada. 

When Gritsamada got to know the circumstances of his birth, he cursed his mother to become the unattractive, thorny berry-bearing “Bhor” plant. Mukunda also cursed Gritsamada, that a cruel rakshas (demon) will be born from him. Suddenly they both heard a heavenly voice saying, “Gritsamada is the son of Indra”, leaving them both shocked, but too late to alter their respective curses. Mukunda was transformed into the Bhor plant. Gritsamada, ashamed and penitent, retreated to the Pushpak forest where he prayed for a reprieve to Lord Ganesh.

Being pleased by Gritsamada’s penance, Ganesha offered him a boon that he will bear a son who would not be defeated by anybody other than lord Shankara. Gritsamada in turn asks Ganesh to bless the forest, so that any devotees who pray here will be successful, and also urged Ganesha to stay there permanently and asked for knowledge of lord Brahma. Gritsamada built a temple here which is know as Varad Vinayak Ganesha temple today and the Ganesha idol installed there is called Varad Vinayak. Today the forest is known as Bhadraka. 

Insider tips:

1. How to reach
   1. By bus: There are frequent MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) busses from major towns like Khopoli, Mahabaleshwar, Karjat and Alibag to Mahad Bus Station. The Ashtavinayak temple of Varad Vinayak Mahad is 68 km from Mumbai, 86 km from pune, 17 km from Karjat, 21 km from lonavala and 6 km from Khopoli. The temple is 1.5 kms off the Mumbai – Pune old Highway. Mahad can also be reached via Mumbai – Panvel – Khopoli road.
   2. By train: The nearest railway station to Mahad is Khopoli, which is approx 4 k.m. from the Varad Vinayak temple. One can also get down at Karjat railway station which is approximately 16 k.m. from this Ashtavinayak temple.
   3. By air: Mumbai and Pune airport are the nearest airport to reach Varad Vinayak Mahad Temple. From any of these airport one can take the state transport buses or hire a Taxi to reach this Ashtavinayak temple.
2. Best time to visit: Festivals like Bhadrapadi Utsav (Bhadrapad Shuddha Pratipada to Panchami) and Maghi Utsav (Magh Shuddha Pratipada to Panchami) are best time to visit. It is said that if the coconut received as prasad during Maghi Chaturthi is consumed, one will be blessed with a son. Hence the temple is especially full with devotees during Maghi Utsav. So if you don’t like crowd then you can visit this Ashtavinayak temple anytime.
3. Distance to other Ashtavinayak temples: 
   1. Shri Varad Vinayak temple Mahad to Shri Chintamani Temple, Theur – 105 k.m via Bengaluru – Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Expy – (approximately 3 hour)
   2. Shri Varad Vinayak temple Mahad to Shri Mayureshwar Ganpati temple, Morgaon – 155 k.m via via Bengaluru – Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Expy and NH 48 (approximately 3 hour)
   3. Shri Varad Vinayak temple Mahad to Shri Mahaganapati temple, Ranjangaon – 125 k.m via Bengaluru – Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Expy (approximately 3 hour 20 mins)
   4. Shri Varad Vinayak temple Mahad to Shri Vigneshwara temple, Ozar – 168 k.m via via Bengaluru – Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Expy and NH60 (approximately 4 hours 10 mins) 
   5. Shri Varad Vinayak temple Mahad to Shri Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri – 132 k.m. via Bengaluru – Mumbai Highway/Mumbai – Pune Highway/Mumbai – Pune Expressway and NH60 (approximately 3 hours 30 mins)
   6. Shri Varad Vinayak temple Mahad to Shri Ballaleshwar, Pali – 38 k.m. via SH92 (approximately 1 hours 20 mins)
   7. Shri Varad Vinayak temple Mahad to Shri Siddhivinayak, Siddhatek – 72 k.m. via NH 48 and Bengaluru – Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai – Pandharpur Rd/Mumbai – Pune Hwy/Sion – Panvel Expy (approximately 1 hours 55 mins)

In Nutshell

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.

Festivals like Bhadrapadi Utsav and Maghi Utsav are best time to visit. It is said that if the coconut received as prasad during Maghi Chaturthi is consumed, one will be blessed with a son. So one find many devotees visiting the temple during this period. All these make Shri Varad Vinayaka temple and must visit religious weekend getaway near Pune and Mumbai.