Vighnahar Temple Ozar – The Ashtavinayak temple with golden dome.

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).

About Vighnahar Temple Ozar

The Vighnahar temple Ozar is prescribed to the seventh temple to be visited in the Ashtavinayak circuit. However, we visited it fourth after leynyadri. At the entrance, there a huge gate which welcomes the devotees. After paying an entry fee of Rs.20 we parked our vehicle in the parking lot next to the river. There is sufficient free parking for many vehicles in the parking lot next to the river.

The temple is surrounded by a fortified wall from all sides. While walking towards the temple we could see the golden shikhara of Shri. Vighnahar Temple Ozar been lit from a distance. It is said that Chimaji Appa, the brother and military commander of the Peshwa Baji Rao I, renovated the temple and covered the shikhara  with gold after seizing the Vasai Fort from the Portuguese. Latter, this Ashtavinayak temple was also renovated in 1967 by the Ganesha devotee Appa Shastri Joshi.

The Ashtavinayak temple was brightly painted and there was an orderly queue for darshan. This Vighnahar Temple ozar, had a grand entrance as well as a spacious courtyard which is embellished with amazing mural works. The entrance gate had two large stone Dvarapala (gatekeepers) sculptures and a row of four musicians in bas relief on the lintel. Once we entered through the gate we saw two large stone Deepamalas (lamp towers) stand near the gateway in front of a fine corridor of seven cusped arches.

At the Vighnahar temple Ozar what amazed us was that the dome from inside had beautiful carving showing all eight Ashtavinayak. While taking the darshan of Shri. Vighnahar temple Ozar we saw a small sparrow sitting calmly on the head of the vinayaka. The pundits at this Ashtavinayak temple told us that the sparrow often sits on the head of the vinayaka.

When the devotees from all around the world visit this temple they often get impressed with the natural formation of Lord Ganesh in the form of the elephant-faced stone. Like all other Ashtavinayaka’s, the Ganesha idol is svayambhu (self-existent). The Ganesha faces east and is accompanied by brass idols of Siddhi and Riddhi. The Ganesha has a left-turning trunk and is covered with sindoor (vermillion). His eyes are emeralds and his forehead and navel is also adored with diamonds.

The legend of Shri. Vighnahar Temple Ozar

To remove all the huddles, obstacles and bring happiness on the earth all the sages performed a ‘yadnya’ on Himalayas. In which they didn’t give any offering to King Indira. This angered lord Indra and hence he ordered Kala (Time/Death) to take the form of demon Vignasura and bring Vighna (hurdles ) in the ‘yadnyas’ of sages.

The strong demon then not only destroyed the yadnyas but also all the ‘vaidik’ rituals as were practiced at that time. Scared by the actions and reactions of Vignasura, and under the guidance of Narad Muni sages started worshipping Ganesha, who then began a battle against the demon. Vignasura soon realized that it was impossible to win a battle against Ganesha.

Vignasura ran from Himalaya and started staying in Junnar taluka on the bank of river Kukadi. At this place also, Vighnasur started troubling people and would bring Vighna (obstacles) in the good deeds of people. The people at this place also got scared and worshiped lord Ganesha.

Listening to the prayers of the people Lord Ganesha finally arrested Vignasura. Vignasura realized his mistake and prayed to lord Ganesha asking him to stay at this place in the name of Vigneshwara or Vighnahar. He also requested Ganesha to keep Vignasura with him at this place. Lord Ganesha agreed to the request of Vignasura and made Vignasura a solider in his army.

Thinking that Vignasura been a demon will never forget his original nature, lord Ganesha said “If I am worshiped at the beginning of any work or good deed, then you won’t be able to bring obstacles in such event”. Also, “ If someone chants the name Vigneshwara or Vighnahar continuously then the person will be saved from all Vigna”. Saying this Lord Ganesha disappeared.

Since, Vignasura was arrested, all the sages and gods because happy. The relieved sages and gods consecrated an idol of lord Ganesha as Vigneshwara at Ozar to mark the event. This is how the Ashtavinayak temple of Shri. Vighnahar temple Ozar came into existence.

Insider tips:

1. How to reach
   1. By bus: From Pune Shivajinagar bus stop one can take bus which go by Pune -Nashik Road. On the Pune- Nasik Road, on passing through Chakan – Rajgurunagar – Manchar – Narayangaon – Junnar one reaches Ozhar which is 8 k.m from both Naryangaon and Junnar. 
   2. By train: The nearest railway station to Ozar, is Pune Railway Station or Talegoan railway station.
   3. By air: Pune airport is the nearest airport to reach Shri. Vigneshvar Temple Ozar. From the airport one can take the state transport buses or hire a Taxi to reach this Ashtavinayak temple.
2. Best time to visit: Festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Ganesh Jayanti are the best time to visit. In addition, a five-day festival starting on Kartik Poornima is also celebrated when the Deepamalas are lit. It’s a fest to eyes to watch these Deepamalas during this occasion. Another best time to visit the Vighnahar temple Ozar is the holy occasions of Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi and Magh Shudha Chaturthi are celebrated by people from all the adjoining villages and areas by coming together.
3. Distance to other Ashtavinayak temples: 
   1. Shri Vighnahar temple Ozar to Shri Varad Vinayak temple Mahad– 220 k.m via NH160 – (approximately 4 hour 20 mins)
   2. Shri Vighnahar temple Ozar to Shri Mayureshwar Ganpati temple, Morgaon – 280 k.m via NH60 (approximately 5 hour 30 mins)
   3. Shri Vighnahar temple Ozar to Shri Mahaganapati temple, Ranjangaon – 191 k.m via NH60 (approximately 4 hour 20 mins)
   4. Shri Vighnahar temple Ozar to Shri Chintamani temple, Theur – 235 k.m via NH60 (approximately 4 hours 50 mins)
   5. Shri Vighnahar temple Ozar to Shri Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri – 161 k.m. via NH60 (approximately 3 hours)
   6. Shri Vighnahar temple Ozar to Shri Ballaleshwar, Pali – 256 k.m. via NH 156 (approximately 5 hours 10 mins)
   7. Shri Vighnahar temple Ozar to Shri Siddhivinayak, Siddhatek – 252 k.m. via NH160 (approximately 5 hours 30 mins)

In Nutshell

The Vigneshwara Temple or Vighnahar Temple Ozar lies in Junnar taluka of Pune district. 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 as well as its Deepmala’s. The architecture of the temple is one of its kind. Devotees often visit this place to pray to the lord to feed them from Vighna’s. The site of Shri. Vighnahar brings positive vibes and calms ones mind.