Varadvinayak

Varadvinayak is one of the Asthavinayak temples of the Hindu deity Lord Ganesh. This is in Mahad village situated in Khalapur taluka near Karjat and Khopoli of Raigad District, Maharastra, India.

Legend has it that the childless great king, Bhima of Koudinyapur his wife meet Vishwamitra while they had come to forest for penance. Sage vishwamitra gave king, Ekashar Gajana Mantra (spell)to chant and thus prince Rukmaganda was born. Rukmaganda grew up into a beautiful young prince.

Rukmanganda during his hunting trip stopped at the hermitage of Rishi Vachaknavi. Mukunda, Rishi's wife fell in love prince's beauty and asked him to fulfil her desire. He flatly refused and left the ashram. Mukunda became very much lovesick. Knowing her plight, King Indra took the form of Rukmaganda and had pleasure with her. Mukunda became pregnant and gave birth to a son Gritsamada. Gritsamada curses his mother on knowing truth of his birth to become a throny plant bearing Bhor fruits. Mukunda in turn cursed Gritsamada, that a cruel rakshas (demon) will born from him. Suddenly a heavenly voice said 'Gritsamada is Indra's son' leaving both of them shocked. Then Mukunda gets converted to Bhor plant and ashamed Gritsamada, leaves to Pushpak forest for penance. Lord Ganesh contented by Gritsamada's penance tells him that he will get a brave son who cannot be defeated by anybody other than Shankara. Gritsamada asks for the forest to become holy and so devotees get attainment of their aims here. He urged Ganapati to stay there permanently and asked for knowledge of Brahma. The forest is called Bhadraka today. Gritsamada built a temple there and the idol installed there is called Varadavinayaka.

It is said that if the coconut received as prasad during Maghi Chaturthi is consumed one will be blessed with a son. Hence there is heavy rush during Maghi Utsav.