ASHTAVINAYAK MAHAD - VARDVINAYAK

One of the Eight (Ashta) Ganapati (Vinayak) Temples of Maharashtra. The name of this Vinayak (Ganesha) is Varad Vinayak meaning the one who blesses all the wishes. The temple is situated in a scenic place, and the new extension to the main temple is being made. Behind the temple is a small temple of Shri Dattatreya situated in Bamboo trees.

|| Shreemad Varad Vinayako Vijayate ||
The Varadvinayak temple at Mahad is located on the highway linking Mumbai and Pune. Mahadcha Varadvinayak is considered to be one of the Ashta Vinayak shrines of Maharashtra, celebrating eight instances of legends related to Ganesha. Mahad village is situated in Khalapur Taluka of Raigad District.Mahad is surrounded by picturesque surrounding.

Legend has it that a rishi by name Vachaknavi was visited by a ruler by name Rukmangada, and during the visit the rishipatni Mukundaa expressed her attraction to the king. The king turned her down leaving her seething in anger. In the meanwhile, Indra, the king of the Devas came down to the earth in the disguise of Rukmangada and accepted her amorous moves. An illegitimate son Grutshmadha was born out of their union. The son, learning of the story of his birth was grief stricken, and prayed to Ganesha in Bhadrakavana for absolvement of the sins of everyone concerned. His prayers were granted by Varadavinayak of Bhadrakavana (now Mahad).

Shree Dhondu Paudkar in 1690 A.D found the swayambhu idol of shree varadvinayak in al lake.This idol was kept in a nearby goddess temple for some time.afterwards in 1725 A.D Varadvinayak temple was built by Peshva Sardar Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar & he gifted this to the Village.

Varadavinayak is portrayed, seated on an East facing throne. Stone images of his consorts Siddhi and Riddhi are also seen in the temple. A lamp in this temple is said to have been glowing uninterrupted for over a hundred years.

If you like this please Link Back to this article...

<a href="http://purnatravels.blogspot.com/2010/12/ashtavinayak-mahad-vardvinayak.html">ASHTAVINAYAK MAHAD - VARDVINAYAK</a>

PALI GANPATI

Named after Ballal, son of Kalyan Shreshthi, from whose `tapasya', Ganesh appeared at Pali. The deity is known as Ballaleshwar. Erlier the deity was placed in a wooden temple. The wooden temple was so constructed that the rays of the sun would fall directly on the deity from the two equinoxes of the temple. The temple was reconstructed in 1770 by Morobadada Phadanvis. The Ganesh idol in the temple is 3 ft. High. Behind the temple, another temple of Ganesh, known as Dhundi Vinayak is situated. The Peshwas had installed the big bell, in the temple which is of Portuguese make. Nearby Pali is Sudhagad which is famous for its hot springs. Inner sanctum is quite big and is 15 feet high. Outer sanctum is 12 feet high and it has rat idol with Modak in his hands and facing Ganesh. Temple walls are made quite strong by mixing lead with cement while construction.hall of the temple is 40 feet long and 20 feet broad and it was built by late Shri Krishnaji Ringe in 1910 a.d. hall is very beautiful with 8 pillars resembling Cyprus throne tree. Idol of Vinayaka sitting on stone throne, faces east and its trunk is left turned the shining diamonds are embedded in the eyes and naval. The background is of silver where one finds Riddhi and Siddhi waving Chamaras.

Temple complex has a big bell made in Europe.after defeating Portuguese in Vasai and Sasthi, Chimaji Appa brought these bells and offered them at different Ashtavinayak places.

If you like this please Link Back to this article...

<a href="http://purnatravels.blogspot.com/2010/11/pali-ganpati.html">PALI GANPATI</a>