Vinayaka Chaviti (Ganesh Chaturthi)

Holy Temple Towns Of Ganesha

Ashtavinayakas – the eight Swayambhu Ganesh temples, all in Maharashtra - are of great importance to Hindu pilgrims.

1 Shree Mayureshwar/ Moreshwar

Located at Moregaon, about 65 kilometres, south-south-east of Pune.

This temple was built in the fourteenth century by Morya Gosavi. According to legend, Ganesh took birth as Mayureshwar riding a peacock to kill Sindhu, son of Chakrapani, who had become powerful by worshipping Surya but was attacking the gods and had imprisoned them in the city of Gandaki. Moregaon is the place where the head of Sindhu fell.

2 Shree Chintamani

Located at Theur, about 25 kilometres East from Pune, on National Highway No. 9.

Morya Gosavi attained Siddhi here and his son built the temple to commemorate the event. According to the legend King Abhijit and his wife Gunavati had a son called Gana, on his visit to saga Kapila he coveted the Chintamani (wish fulfilling stone) which Kapila used to fulfill his wishes. Kapila refused to part with the stone but Gana took it forcibly, Durga advised Kapila to worship Ganesh. With the powers of the worship Kapila fought and killed Gana, Abhijit returned the jewel to Kapila but he did not it. Ganesh stayed on the spot under the Kadamba tree and called himself Chintamani.

3 Shree MahaGanesh

Situated at Ranjangaon, 54 kilometres from Pune.

This temple is known as MahaGanesh or Ganesh the Great. The original idol was very big but was hidden to prevent its destruction and the present day smaller idol was installed instead. As per the legend Tripurasura born from the nostrils of Gritsamada when he sneezed. Tripurasura worshipped Ganesh and conquered the three worlds. Ganesh had told that only Shiva can destroy Tripurasura. The gods went to Shiva who fought Tripurasura but could not defeat him, then Narada told Shiva that he should have worshiped Ganesh before he fought Tripurasura, after that Shiva made the appropriate prayer to Ganesh and succeeded, and in gratitude Shiva established Ganesh there as Maha Ganesh.

4 Shree Siddhivinayak

Situated at Siddhatek on the banks of Bhima near Ahmednagar, 110 kilometres north-east of Pune.

As per the legend Bramha once created a world with Ganesh's blessings, and while this was going on Vishnu woke up and two fierce demons Madhu and Kaitaba escaped from his ears. Vishnu fought with them for 5000 years, then Shiva pointed out that Vishnu had started without worshippin Ganesh, so Vishnu invoked Ganesh on Sidhatek hilland destroyed the demons successfully and consecrated the spot.

5 Shree Vighneshwar

Situated at Ozar, about 100 kilometres north from Pune; National Highway no 50.

This temple was built in 1833. The temple is famous for its Deepmala's and its Golden dome. As per legend King Abhinandana performed many sacrifices to become Indra, Indra on hearing this sent Kala (Time as destroyer) himself in form of Vighnasura to obstruct the sacrifices. At this all the world also halted and suffered, all vedic rites also halted so the gods prayed to Ganesh, Ganesh defeated Vighnasura making him one of the Gana's, Vighnasura requested Ganesh to use his name as prefix and stay at Ozar, to which Ganesh agreed.

6 Shree Girijatmaka

Situated on a hill on the banks of Kukdi river at Lenyadri.

This temple can be reached after climbing up 283 stairs. As per the legend Parvati wanted a son, so she did penance for 12 years to Ganesh who was born as a child to her, the Deity faces south and is sacred because Ganesh's thread ceremony was performed here.

7 Shree Ballaleshwar

Located at Pali, about 40 kilometres from Khopoli, east of Pune.

This temple was named after devotee Ballal as Ballaleshwar to whom Ganesh revealed himself at this sacred spot. The wooden Temple is so constructed that on the two equinoxes, the rays of the sun fall directly on the deity.

8 Shree Varad Vinayak

Situated at Mahad, about 20 kilometres from Khandala, east of Pune.

This temple is known as Shree Varad Vinayak the bestower of blessings.