Ashtavinayaka

Ashtavinayaka (अष्टविनायक) literally means "eight Ganeshas" in Sanskrit. Ganesha is the Hindu deity of prosperity and learning. The term refers to a pilgrimage to the eight Hindu temples in Maharashtra state of India that house eight distinct idols of Ganesha, in a pre-ascertained sequence.

The Ashtavinayaka yatra or pilgrimage covers the eight ancient holy temples of Ganesha which are situated around Pune. Each of these temples has its own individual legend and history, as distinct from each other as the murtis in each temple.

The form of each murti of Ganesha and His trunk are distinct from one another.

The eight temples

The eight temples/idols of the Ashtavinayak in their religious sequence are:
# [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18276017&x=74321437&z=14&l=19&m=a| The Moreshwar Temple, Moregaon]
# [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18456000&x=74726515&z=14&l=19&m=a| The Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek]
# [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18535159&x=73224033&z=18&l=19&m=a| The Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali]
# [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18810255&x=73301452&z=17&l=19&m=a| The Varadavinayak Temple, Mahad]
# [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18523798&x=74046282&z=18&l=19&m=a| The Chintamani Temple, Theur]
# [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=19245276&x=73879623&z=14&l=19&m=a&v=2| The Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyandri]
# [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=19199108&x=73927377&z=14&l=19&m=a| The Vighnahar Temple, Ozar]
# [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18819344&x=74366227&z=14&l=19&m=a| The Mahaganapati Temple, Ranjangaon] According to Shastra, first you have to visit Moreshwar of Moregaon. Then visit Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Theur, Lenyandri, Ozar, Ranjangaon and then again Moregaon will end you Ashtavinayak Yatra. Some of these murtis are called Swayambhu effigies, or the "self-existent" in Sanskrit. This is to indicate that no human created these murtis, they were found completely formed by nature.

hri Mayureshwar

This is the most important temple on this tour. The temple, built from black-stone during the Bahamani reign, has four gates (It is supposed to have been built by one of the knights named Mr. Gole, from the court of Bidar's Sultan). The temple is situated in the centre of the village. The temple is covered from all sides by four Minarets and gives feeling of a mosque if seen from a distance. This may have been done to prevent attacks on the temple during Mughal periods. The temple has 50feet tall wall around it.

There is a Nandi (Shiva's bull mount) sitting in front of this temple entrance, which is unique, as Nandi is normally in front of only Shiva temples. However, the story saysthat this statue was being carried to some Shivamandir during which the vehicle carrying itbroke down and the Nandi statue could not be removed from its current place.

The murti of Lord Ganesha, riding a peacock, in the form of Mayureshwara is believed to have slain the demon Sindhu at this spot. The idol, with its trunk turned to the left, has a cobra ("Nagaraja") poised over it protecting it. This form of Ganesha also has two other murtis of Siddhi (Capability) and Buddhi (Intelligence).

However, this is not the original murti -which is said to have been consecrated twice by Brahma, once before & once after being destroyed by the asura Sindhurasur. The original murti, smaller in size and made of atoms of sand, iron, and diamonds, was supposedly enclosed in a copper sheet by the Pandavas and placed behind the one that is currently worshiped.

The temple is situated at a distance of 56 km from Pune, next to the river Karha in the village of [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18276017&x=74321437&z=14&l=19&m=a| Moregaon] . The village derives its name from the "Marathi" name of the bird peacock - also the national bird of India; there used to be a lot of peacocks in this village in the ancient time, and the village is also set out in the shape of a peacock.

hri Siddhivinayak

God Vishnu is supposed to have vanquished the asuras Madhu and Kaitabh after propitiating Ganesha here.

This is the only murti of these eight with the trunk positioned to the right.

It is believed that the two saints Shri Morya Gosavi and Shri Narayan Maharaj of Kedgaon received their enlightenment here.

The temple is North-facing and is on a small hillock. The main road towards the temple was believed to built by Peshwa's general Haripant Phadake. The inner sanctum, 15 feet high and 10 feet wide is built by Punyashloka Ahilyabai Holkar. The idol is 3feet tall and 2.5feet wide. The idol faces North-direction. The stomach of the murti is not wide, but Riddhi and Siddhi murtis are sitting on one thigh. This murti's trunk is turning to the right. The right-sided-trunk Ganesha is supposed to be very strict for the devotees. To make one round (pradakshina) around the temple one has to make the round trip of the hillock. This takes about 30 minutes with moderate speed.

Peshwa general Haripant Phadake lost his General's position and did 21 Pradakshina around the temple. On the 21st day Peshwa's court-man came and took him to the court with royal honor. Haripant promised the God that he will bring the stones of the castle which he will win from the first war he will fight as the general. The stone pathway is built from the Badami-Castle which was attacked by Haripant soon after he became the general.

[http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18456000&x=74726515&z=14&l=19&m=a| This temple is situated] off the Pune-Solapur highway about 48 km from the town of Srigonda in Ahmadnagar district. The temple is situated next to Bhima river. On Pune-Solapur railway, Daund Railway station is 18Km from here.

hri Ballaleshwar

Ganesha is believed to have saved his boy-devotee, Ballala, who was beaten by local villagers and his father (Kalyani-seth) for his single-minded devotion to him.

The original wooden temple was reconstructed in to a stone temple by Nana Phadanavis in 1760. There are two small lakes constructed on two sides of the temple. One of them is reserved for the puja (worship) of the Deity.

This Temple faces the east and has two sanctums. The inner one houses the murti and has a Mushika (Ganesha's mouse vahana) with modaka in his forepaws in front of it. The hall, supported by eight exquisitely carved pillars demands as much attention as the idol, sitting on throne carved like a Cyprus tree. The eight pillars depict the eight directions. Inner sanctum is 15 feet tall and outer one is 12 feet tall. The temple is constructed in such a way that after the winter (dakshinayan : southward movement of the sun) solstice, the sun rays fall on the Ganesha murti at sunrise. The temple is built with stones which are stuck together very tight using melted lead.

Like a few other murtis, this one has diamonds embedded in the eyes and navel, and with His trunk pointing to the left.

One speciality of this temple is that the prasad offered to this Ganapati at Pali is Besan Laadu instead of Modak that is normally offered to other Ganapatis.

The shape of the idol itself bears a striking semblance with the mountain which forms the backdrop of this temple. This is more prominently felt if one views the photograph of the mountain and then sees the idol.

The temple is located in the town of [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18535159&x=73224033&z=18&l=19&m=a| Pali] , off the Mumbai-Pune highway, about 11 km before [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18540082&x=73141029&z=16&l=19&m=a| Nagothane] on the Mumbai-Goa highway. This is located 30Km to the South-West of [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18910545&x=73320485&z=17&l=19&m=a| Karjat Railway Station] . Mumbai-Panvel-Khopoli-Pali is 124Km. Pune-Lonavla-Khopoli-Pali is 111Km.

Behind this temple is the [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18535523&x=73223598&z=18&l=19&m=a| temple of Shri Dhundi-Vinayak] which is West facing. This is a very rare idol which is facing the West. The story says that this idol was the same one whichwas thrown by Ballala's father (Kalyani-seth) while Ballala was worshipping it.

Another legend goes that Dhundi Vinayak is the elder brother of Ballal Vinayak and hence it seems that the devotees first worship Shri Dhundi-Vinayak and then Shri Ballaleshwar.

hri Varadavinayak

The handsome Prince Rukmangad refused sage Vachaknavi's wife Mukunda's illicit call, and was cursed to suffer from leprosy. Mukunda was satisfied by Indra who deceived her as Rukmangad and she bore a child by name Grutsamad. When Grutsamad came to know about the real story he cursed his mother Mukunda to become the tree of Bori and she in turn cursed him to bore a demon son named Tripurasur, the one who was defeated by Shiva after praying the Ranjangaon Ganesha. Grutsamad after getting cursed went to the forest of Pushpak and worshipped Ganesha. Sage Grutsamad is famous for the mantra "GaNanaN Tva". He founded the temple and called this Ganesha: Varada-Vinayak.

Ganesha is said to reside here in the form of Varada Vinayaka, the giver of bounty and success. The idol was found in the adjoining lake (to Mr. Dhondu Paudkar in 1690AD), in an immersed position and hence its weathered look. In 1725AD the then Kalyan subhedar, Mr. Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar built [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18810255&x=73301452&z=17&l=19&m=a| the Varadavinayak temple] and the village of Mahad.

The idol faces the east, has its trunk to the left and has been in the constant company of an oil lamp - said to be burning continuously since 1892. There are 4 elephant idols on 4 sides of the temple. the hall is 8feet by 8feet. The dome is 25feet high and is golden at the top. The dome has designs of cobra.

This is the only temple where devotees are allowed to personally pay their homage and respects to the idol. They are allowed in the immediate vicinity of this idol to perform their prayers.

The temple is located three kilometers off the Pune-Mumbai highway near Khopoli (80 km from Pune), and is thus closest to Mumbai city. [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18910545&x=73320485&z=17&l=19&m=a| Karjat Railway Station] , Karjat on Mumbai-Pune railway is 24Km from this place and 6Km from Khopoli.

hri Chintamani

Ganesha is believed to have got back the precious Chinatamani jewel from the greedy Guna for sage Kapila at this spot. However, after bringing back the jewel, sage Kapila put it in Vinayaka's (Ganesha's) neck. Thus the name Chintamani Vinayak. This happened under the Kadamb tree, therefore Theur is known as Kadambanagar in old times.

The lake behind the temple is called Kadambteertha. The temple entrance is North facing. The outer wooden hall is built by Peshwas. The main temple is supposed to have been built by Dharanidhar Maharaj Dev from the family-lineage of Shri Moraya Gosavi. He must have built this around 100 years before Senior Shrimant Madhavrao Peshwa built the outer wooden hall.

This idol also has a left trunk, with carbuncle and diamonds as its eyes. The idol faces the East side.

[http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18523798&x=74046282&z=18&l=19&m=a| Theur's Chintamani] was the main worshipped god of Senior Shrimant Madhavrao Peshwa. He suffered from tuberculosis and died at a very young age (~27years). He is supposed to have died in this temple. His wife, Ramabai went as Sati with him on 18 November 1772.

The temple is located 22 km from Pune, off the Pune-Solapur highway, and is hence the nearest from Pune. The village of Theur sits at the confluence of three major regional rivers—Mula, Mutha & Bhima.

hri Girijatmaj

It is believed that Parvati (Shiva's wife) performed penance to beget Ganesha at this point. Girija's (Parvati's) Atmaj (son) is Girijatmaj. This temple stands amidst a cave complex of 18 caves of Buddhist origin. This temple is the 8th cave. These are called Ganesh-leni as well. The temple is carved out of a single stone hill, which has 307 steps. The temple features a wide hall with no supporting pillars. The temple hall is 53feet long, 51feet wide and 7feet in height.

The idol faces north with its trunk to the left, and has to be worshipped from the rear of the temple. The temple faces south. This idol seems to be little different from the rest of the Ashtavinayak idols in a sense that it appears to be not very well designed or carved like the other idols. This idol can be worshipped by anyone. There is no electric bulb in the temple. The temple is constructed such that during the day it is always lighted up by the sun-rays!

The entry fee to this temple is 5Rs. for Indian citizens and 2USD for Foreign nationals.

[http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=19245276&x=73879623&z=14&l=19&m=a&v=2| The temple is situated] 12 km from Narayangaon, which is about 94 km from Pune on the Pune-Nashik highway. Nearest railway station is Talegaon. From Junnar, Lenyadri is about 5Km. Shivaneri castle is close by (5 to 6Km) where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born.

hri Vighnahar

The history encompassing this idol states that Vighnasur, a demon was created by the King of Gods, Indra to destroy the prayer organized by King Abhinandan. However, the demon went a step further and destroyed all vedic, religious acts and to answer the people's prayers for protection, Ganesh defeated him. The story goes on to say that on being conquered, the demon begged and pleaded with Ganesha to show a mercy. Ganesha then granted in his plea, but on the condition that demon should not go to the place where Ganesha worshipping is going on. In return the demon asked a favour that his name should be taken before Ganesha's name, thus the name of Ganesha became Vighnahar or Vighneshwar (Vighna in Sanskrit means a sudden interruption in the ongoing work due to some unforeseen, unwarranted event or cause). The Ganesha here is called Shri Vighneshwar Vinayak.

The temple faces east and is surrounded by a thick stone wall. One can walk on the wall. The main hall of the temple is 20feet long and the inner hall is 10feet long. This idol, facing the east, has its trunk towards the left and rubies in its eyes. There is a diamond on the forehead and some jewel in the navel. Idols of Riddhi and Siddhi are placed on the two sides of the Ganesha idol. The temple top is Golden and is possibly built by Chimaji Appa after defeating the Portuguese rulers of Vasai and Sashti. The temple is probably built around 1785AD.

[http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=19199108&x=73927377&z=14&l=19&m=a| This temple is located] just off the Pune-Nashik Highway, in the town of Ozhar. It is enclosed on all sides by high stone walls, and its pinnacle is made of gold. The temple is situated on the banks of river Kukadi. Via Mumbai-Thane-Kalyan-Bapsai-Saralgaon-Otur, Ozhar is 182Km.

hri Mahaganapati

Shiva is believed to have worshipped Ganesha before fighting the demon Tripurasura here. The temple was built by Shiva where he worshipped Ganesha, and the town he set up was called Manipur which is now known as Ranjangaon.

The idol faces the east, is seated in a cross-legged position with a broad forehead, with its trunk pointing to the left. It is said that the original idol is hidden in the basement, having 10 trunks and 20 hands and is called Mahotkat, however, the temple authorities deny existence of any such idol.

Constructed so that the rays of the sun fall directly on the idol (during the Southward movement of the sun), the temple bears a distinct resemblance to the architecture reminiscent of the 9th and 10th Centuries and faces the east. Shrimant Madhavrao Peshwa used to visit this temple very often and built the stone sanctum around the idol and in 1790AD Mr. Anyaba Dev was authorised to worship the idol.

[http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=18819344&x=74366227&z=14&l=19&m=a| The temple is situated] 50 km from Pune on the Pune-Ahmednagar highway in the village of Ranjangaon.

ee also

*The Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek
*The Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali
*The Varadavinayak Temple, Mahad
*The Girijatamak Temple, Lenyandri

References

# GaneshPurana (old script)
#"Ashtavinayak Darshan" by Ed. Hemangi Rele
#"Maharashtratil Paryatan Sthale" by Maharashtra State Tourism Development Corporation
# D. G. Godse's essay "Ashtavinayak" from his book "Samande Talāśa" समंदे तलाश (Sreevidya Prakashan 1981)