SHREE ASHTAVINAYAK

MORESHWAR MOREGAON
The Mayureshwar or Moreshwar temple is along the Karha river in the Morgaon village. A temple that looks like a tiny fort from a distance, is situated in the Baramati Taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra. This region is also known as the Bhuswananda. Shaped as a peacock, this region has in the past seen an abundance of peacocks and is therefore known as Morgaon (Mor – peacock)

"Nije Bhuswanandjadbharat Bhumya Paratare

Turiyostire Paramsukhdevta Nivasasi

Mayuraya Nath Stawamasich

Ataswa sandhyaye Shivharini Brahmajanakam"

MEANING:
Oh! Lord Mayureshwar of Morgaon, you stay on sage Jadbharat's land, on the banks of river Karha that is known as ‘Bhuswanand' (means happiness on land). Shree Moreshwar, who is far from three qualities, who is Swayambhu, who is without any form, Who resembles Omkar, who is always in fourth state of yoga and who rides on peacock may accept my salutation.

The stanza is written on the entrance of Shree Mayureshwar temple at Morgaon. As is mentioned in the stanza this place is called 'Bhuswanand', the highest abode of joy and thus can be compared to Vaikuntha, the highest abode of Vishnu and Kailash, the highest abode of Shiva.

ACCESS: -
1.Pune is the most convenient city to reach Morgaon. Pune itself is well connected by road as well as by rail. Morgaon is at a distance of 79 km from Pune via the village Chaufala on the Pune-Sholapur Highway.

2. The other way a pilgrim can take is to go to Jejuri from Pune and from Jejuri can proceed to Morgaon, which is 15 km away from Jejuri. By this route the distance between Pune and Morgaon is 64kms.
Jejuri is a well-known pilgrim center for worshippers of Khandoba.

LEGENDS: -
It was predicted by Lord Brahma that Lord Ganesha would incarnate as Vinayak in the Kritayug, as Mayureshwar in Treta yug, as Gajanan in the Dwaparyug and as Dhumraketu in the Kalyug. All these incarnations are related to certain legends of Lord Ganesha killing various demons.

In the Gandaki Nagari of Mithila, a king named Chakrapani was ruling. He and his wife Queen Ugra were unhappy, as they did not have a child. The couple worshipped God Surya and the queen with the blessings of the Sun God became pregnant. But soon released the embryo in the sea as she could not bear the brilliance and the radiance of the embryo. From that embryo, brilliant son was born. The sea in the disguise of a Brahmin approached King Chakrapani with the child and gave the child to the King. As the child was born in the sea the king named him sindhu. Sindhu, after growing old and strong became more powerful by worshipping the Sun God as advised by his Guru Shukracharya. Lord Surya, as a boon gave the nectar to Sindhu and said that as long as the nectar remains near his navel he will not die. Sindhu thus received immortality and started attacking Gods like Indra, Vishnu etc. he defeated all of them and kept them in prison in his kingdom. The remaining gods worshipped Lord Ganesh and requested him to rescue them from the demon king sindhu. Ganesha pleased with their prayers, promised to take birth as Devi Parvati's son and kill the demon.

Parvati recited the ekakshari ‘OM' mantra to please the Lord and made a clay idol of Ganesha on the Bhadrapada shuddha Chaturthi Day and worshipped. The idol soon turned into a real child. When the child was ten years old, Shiva and Parvati along with their son decided to leave the mountain Meru and on their way to mountain kailash, Lord Ganesha defeated the demon Kamalasura with the help of Siddhi(the personified shakti) and Buddhi(the personified Intelligence). After this incident on their way, lord Ganesha found the Gandaki Nagari of the demon king Sindhu and decided to attack him with all the army of Shiva's attendants. He thus attacked Sindhu and at first killed the two sons of Sindhu. Sindhu was advised to release the Gods and Goddesses in prison and leave the battlefield by his father. But he did not listen to it and continued the battle. Lord Ganesha removed the nectar from his navel with his Parashu and killed him. During this battle, Lord Ganesha was riding a peacock and therefore he got the name ‘Mayureshvar', the one who rides a peacock. Mayureshvar decided to reside at Morgaon, for the sake of his devotees.

Another legend that accounts for Lord Ganesh's Mayureshwar is:

Sage Kashyap had two wives, Kadru and Vinita. Kadru's sons who were the serpents, held Vinita's sons Shayen, Sampati and Jatayu who were the birds, captive. Vinita, their mother was very hurt by this. As a consolation, Sage Kashyap gave Vinita a boon of having one more son also in the form of a bird. When this son was in the egg stage, Lord Ganesh broke the egg, and a peacock emerged from the egg. The newborn peacock and Ganesh battled with each other. Vinita the mother had to intervene to end this battle. Ultimately her peacock son chose to be Ganesha's vehicle and laid down the condition that Ganesh would be known by the peacock's name. Thus Ganesha took the name Mayureshvar. Moreshwar is a local variation of the name.

The temple of Mayureshwar is right in the centre of the village Morgaon. Facing north this temple has a 50 feet wall surrounding it and four towers at the four corners. It is because of this that this temple looks like a mosque from a distance. This temple was originally made of black stone but certain architectural features of the temple are made of marble during renovation. Around the temple in the four corners are installed the idols of Ganesha in all his other aspects like the Ekdanta, Gajanan, Lambodar,Vikata, Vighnahara, Dhumravarna, and Vakratund.

THE TEMPLE & THE DIETY: -

The idol of Mayureshwar is in the garbhagriha or the sanctum in which only the main priest can enter. The idol is facing east. The deity is three eyed, seated, and his trunk is turned towards the left. The eyes and the navel of the deity are studded with precious diamonds. On the head are seen the fangs of Nagaraj. The deity is flanked by brass idols of Siddhi and Buddhi who are considered the consorts of Ganesh. In front of the deity stand a mouse and a peacock.

The original idol is actually much smaller than it seems but continuous anointing of the idol with the vermilion has increased the size. It is believed that this layer of vermilion falls down on its own every 100 or 150 years, revealing the actual idol.

Just opposite the main gate are a tortoise and a Nandi facing the deity in the sanctum. The presence of a Nandi in a Ganpati temple is rare as Nandi is the conveyance of Lord Shiva . When one enters the temple premises one first sees the mooshak (mouse – Ganesha's means of conveyance) holding two laddos between his paws.

There are certain sacred trees in the temple premises, like Shami, Mandar and Tarati trees. Out of these the Shami tree is significant as it is referred to in the legend of Moraya Gosavi, a sage who did penance under his tree and Lord Ganesha gave him a glimpse. Thus it is believed that the wishes of a person can be fulfilled if he performs penance under this tree.

Apart from this there are many idols in the compound of the Mayureshvar temple. In the right corner one can see the idol of Yogindracharya. Some of the other idols are Shami devi, Mandar Ganesh, Durga Devi, Shukla Chaturthi Dev, Bhrushundi, Krishna Chaturthi Devi, Moraya Gosavi, Lord Vishnu and Devi Lakshmi, Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati, Moda Ganesh and Pramod Ganesh etc. the most important of these subsidiary deities is the image of Nagna Bhairava who is looked upon as the guardian of Lord Mayureshvar. It is believed that the pilgrimage to Mayureshvar is incomplete if a devotee does not worship Nagna bhairav first

BALLALESHWAR PALI

Among the Ashtavinayakas, Ballaleshvara at Pali is the only Ganesha who is famous by the name of his devotee and who is dressed up as a Brahmin. Village Pali is situated in the Sudhagad taluka in the district of Raigad. This place is nestled between the fort Sarasgad and River Amba. The nearest railway station is Karjat, which is 30Kms away.

"Vedo Sanstuvaibhavo Gajamukho Bhaktabhimani yo

Ballaleravya Subhaktapal Narat; Khyat Sada Tishtati.

Kshetre Pallipure Yatha Kritayuge Chasmitha Laukike

Bhakterbhavite Murtiman Ganapati Siddhishwar Tam Bhaje"

MEANING: -

I worshipped Lord Ganesh, who is elephant headed, who has been praised in the Vedas, who is popular by the name of his devotee (Ballal), who protects his devotees and in this kritayuga who abodes in Pallipur or Pali.

The Ballaleshwar Vinayak is situated in district Raigad, Taluka Sudhagad in the Village Pali. Pali is about 30 kms from Karjat.

ACCESS: -
1. It is 124 Kms away from Mumbai. One can reach Pali from Mumbai Via Panvel, Khopoli.
2. From Pune, Pali is 10 kms Via Lonavala & Khopoli

LEGENDS: -
In the Konkan Pallir village now known as Pali there lived a young boy Ballal who was a very sincere devotee of Lord Ganesh. Son of a rich businessman, his pre-occupation with worship at a young age displeased his father. Ballal spent a large part of his time in worship and influenced his friends to do so too. His friends' parents felt that Ballal was misleading their children by showing them the Bhaktimarg [the path of devotion] at such young age. They asked Ballal's father to restrain him. His father went to look for Ballal and found him in the forest engrossed in his worship of Lord Ganesh. He disrupted the puja, threw away the idol of Ganesh and beat his son. Not content with this he also tied him to a tree. He then left Ballal in the forest asserting that let Lord Ganesh himself come and rescue him. Ballal was in great pain but he kept calling upon Lord Ganesh who took the form of a Brahmin and appeared before him. He set Ballal free and then asked him to make a wish. Ballal entreated Lord Ganesh to reside in this region. The God acquiesced and, resided in a stone which is now believed to be the idol of Ballaleshwar Vinayak, that people worship at Pali. The idol that Ballal's father had desecrated too was placed in the temple. The idol of Dhundivinayak nearby is believed to be that idol.

THE TEMPLE & THE DIETY: -
The original temple was made of wood, which was renovated in 1760 and made of stone by Mr.Phadnavis . There are two ponds near the temple.

The temple faces East and is shaped like the letter Shree in the Devnagiri script. There are two lakes in the vicinity of the Temple. Water from the lake on the right side is used for Lord Ganesha's worship and other auspicious ocassions. During southern declination of the sun, the rays of the Sun falls on the idol of Lord Ballaleshwar. The temple has two sanctums. In the outer sanctum Mooshak the mouse faces the deity holding a modak in his paws. In the inner sanctum is the idol of Ballaleshwar. It is 3feet high and it faces east and its trunk turns towards the left. The navel and eyes of the idol are studded with precious stones. Lord Ganesh in this aspect appeared as a Brahmin and so this is one of those rare statues where Ganesh is shown wearing clothes as Brahmins do. On both sides of the idol are statues of Riddhi and Siddhi.

MAHAGANPATI RANJANGAON

The Maha Ganpati is the most powerful representation of Lord Ganesh. Maha Ganpati is depicted as having eight, ten or twelve arms. It is after invoking this form of Ganpati that Shiva vanquished the demon Tripurasur and so he is also known as Tripurarivade Mahaganpati.

“Shree Shambhuvarprada Sutapasa Namna Sahastra Swakam

Datwa Shree Vijay Padam Shivkar Tasme Prasanna Prabhu

Ten Sthapit Eva Sadgunavapu Ganapati Kshetre Sadatishtati

Tam Vande Manipurke Ganapati Devam Mahant Mudra”

MEANING: -
Lord Shivshankar obtained a boon by propitiating Lord Shree Ganesh . I salute Shri Ganesh who stays at Manipur(Ranjangaon), who gave boon to Lord Shiva, whose appearance is beautiful & pleasing & who is statue of good qualities

LEGENDS: -
Tripurasur was the son of Sage Gritsamad. One day the sage sneezed and from this was created a young boy who the Sage brought up as his own son. The sage taught the boy the Ganana Twam, Ganesh Mantra. Equipped with this mantra the boy meditated intensely on Lord Ganesh who ultimately blessed him. He was given three pura-s of gold silver and iron. Since he was the owner of these three pura-s he was given the name Tripur. Ganesh also bestowed on Tripur to be the most powerful, who none but Lord Shiva himself could destroy and after being destroyed by Lord Shiva he would attain mukti-salvation.

This boon made Tripur proud and he brought havoc in the entire world. He conquered the Nether world and then proceeded to takeover Heaven. He defeated Indra the king of heaven. His aggression made Lord Brahma hide in a lotus and Lord Vishnu in the Shirsagar. He soon also took over Lord Shiva's Kailash Parvat and thus became the King of all the three worlds. The gods wondered on how to vanquish Tripurasur. Lord Narada told them that, since he had been granted a boon by Lord Ganesh himself it would be very difficult to vanquish him. He advised them to meditate on Lord Ganesh. Pleased Lord Ganesh decided to help the Gods.

Disguised as brahmin he visited Tripurasur and told him that he was a very enlightened Brahmin and could make for him three flying planes. Riding these he woud be able to go anywhere he wished within minutes. The planes could only be destroyed by Shiva.In return Lord Ganesh asked him to get him the statue of Chintamani which was at the Kailash Mountain. Lord Shiva refused to give the statue to Tripurasur's messenger. The angry Tripurasur himself went to get the statue. A fierce battle started between him and Lord Shiva. He destroyed everything that belonged to the Lord Shiva who too retired to the Girikandar.

Lord Shiva too realized that he was unable to destroy Tripurasur because he had not paid his respects to Lord Ganesh. He recited the Shadaakshar Mantra to invoke Ganesh. On doing so from his mouth emerged Gajanan to grant Shiva a boon. Shiva continued his invocation of Ganesh who ultimately directed him on how Tripurasur could be killed. Lord Shiva was asked to recite the Sahastranam and then direct an arrow at the three pura-s of Tripurasur.

Lord Shiva followed these instructions and finally vanquished Tripurasur.

The place where Lord Shiva invoked Lord Ganesh he also created a temple for him. The town surrounding this temple was called Manipur. The village Ranjangaon is considered to be the place where Lord Shiva himself sought the blessings of Ganesh and ultimately destroyed Tripurasur.

THE TEMPLE & THE DIETY: -
The temple of Maha Ganpati is very close to the centre of the town Ranjangaon. The temple was erected during the rule of the Peshwas. The temple was built by Sardar Kine.Peshwa Madhavrao had constructed the Garbhagriha, the sanctum to house the swayambhoo statue.

The temple faces east. It has an imposing main gate which is guarded by two statues of Jay and Vijay. The temple is designed in such away that during Dakshinayan[ the apparent movement of the son to the south] the rays of the sun fall directly on the deity.

The deity is seated and flanked on both sides by Riddhi and Siddhi. The trunk of the deity turns to the left. There is a local belief that the real statue of Mahaganpati is hidden in some vault and this statue has ten trunks and twenty arms.In the Temple coumpound one can see old temple pillars. This confirms the fact that the temple wa built in 9th - 10th century.

VARAD VINAYAK MAHAD

Mahad is a pretty village set in the hilly region of Konkan in the Raigarh district and the Khalapur Taluka of Maharastra. Ganesh as Varad Vinayak fulfills all desires and grants all boons. This region was known as Bhadrak or Madhak in ancient times.

A nandadeep has been lit in this temple which has been continuously lit since the 1892

"Bhaktabhimani Ganaraj Ekam

Kshetre MadhaKhye Vardam Prasanam

Yastishtati Shree Vardo Ganesham

Vinayakasta Pranamami Bhaktam"

MEANING: -

I salute lord Ganaraj who is leader of Ganas , who is proud of his devotees & who abodes at Mahad & has pleasant appearance

ACCESS: -
Mahad is 83 km from Mumbai.
On the Mumbai-Panvel-Khopoli road, 6km before Khopoli is a village called Haalgaon. Mahad can be reached from this village.

LEGENDS: -
Rukmangada was the son of King Bheema of Kaudinya. One day Rukmangada went into the forest on a hunt. There he met Mukundaa, whose husband was the Sage Vachaknavi. Mukundaa felt attracted to the young Rukmanganda and expressed her desire for him. Rukmangada was shocked and turned down her proposal. Mukundaa cursed him that he would lose his beauty and turn into a leper.

Rukmangada's body changed instantly.

The dejected Rukmangada worshipped Chintamani Vinayak who blessed him and freed him from the curse. In the mean time Indra came to know of Mukundaa's desire and disguised as Rukmangada ful-filled her desire. Mukundaa gave birth to a son who was called Gritsamav. He grew to be a great scholar. One day he participated in a major debate where great sages like Vasistha, Atri and Vishwasmitra were invited. Atri said that he could not debate with Gritsamav as he was not a true Brahmin. Gritsamav unaware of the flaw in his birth was shocked. He came back to his mother and demanded the truth. On knowing the truth he was stunned and cursed her that she would turn into a thorny Ber tree, and though this tree would bear delicious fruit its thorns will keep people away. Mukundaa in turn said that since he was so harsh in judging her, he would in his life bear the pain of being a parent of a heartless and cruel child.

Gritsamav moved into the Pushpak forest and started a severe penance. Ganesh heard his prayers and asked him what he wished. Gritsamav asked to be recognized as a Brahmin and he then asked Ganesh to reside in the Puspak forest. Ganesh granted him the two wishes. Gritsamav called Ganesh Varad Vinayak, the one who fulfills all wishes and consecrated him in a temple This temple is now believed to be the temple at Mahad. Gritsamav is known as the creator of the Ganana Twam mantra

THE TEMPLE & THE DIETY: -

The Varad Vinayak temple is Purvabhimukh that is facing east. This temple has been recently renovated. The temple is surrounded on all four sides by statues of elephants, two on each side. On the Northern side of the temple is a Gomukh, a visage of a cow from which flows the tirth holy water. On the West is the Holy Pond.

the district magistrate and is still under review. Hence both the old and the new idols can be seen, the older one outside the sanctum, the newer one inside it.

As one enters the Garbhagriha one first sees the idols of Riddhi and Siddhi. Then the two idols of Lord Ganesh . One is a idol made in white Marble the other is the idol covered with sindoor.

GIRIJATMAJ LENYADRI

Lenyadri is to the North of Pune, along the Kukdi River. The Ganesh Puran calls this place as Jirnapur or Lekhan Parbat. Girijatmaj Vinayak refers to the Ganesh as the son of Parvati. Girija is another name for Parvati and Atamaj means son. This is the only temple of the Ashtavinayak, which is on a mountain and is set in a Buddhist cave-temple.

“Mayasa Bhuvaneshwari Shivasti Dehashrita Sundary

Vignesham Sutmaptukam Sanhita Kurvetapo Dushkaram

Takhya Bhutprakat Prasanna vardo Tishtataya Sthapitam

Vandeh Girijatmaj parmaj Tam Lekhanadrishitam”

MEANING:

Mother of universe, Beautiful wife of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati performed severe penance of Shri Ganesh & at last obtained Shree Ganesh as her son . I salute Girija Parvati's son Girijatmaj who stays on mountain Lekhanadri (i.e. Lenyadri )

ACCESS: -

On the Pune Nasik Road passing through Chakan, Rajgurunagar, Manchar, Narayangaon to Junnar one can reach Lenyadri. Junnar is the town closest to Lenyadri.Lenyadri is 5kms from Junnar.

The temple is on a mountain and so one has to climb 307 steps to reach it. For those who cannot cover this distance on foot, palanquins can carry them.
LEGENDS: -

Goddess Parvati went through severe penance in the cave at the Lenyadri mountain to become the mother of Lord Ganesh. Pleased by her penance Gajanan blessed her and promised that he would take birth as her son.

On the Chaturthi, fourth day of Bhadrapad Shuddh she created a idol from the dirt wiped from her body. In this idol entered Gajanan. He stood before as her a little boy, who had six arms and three eyes. This boy was called Ganesh, the one who has conquered all the senses.

It is believed that Ganesh resided in Lenyadri for fifteen years.

Atop a mountain in the eighth of the Buddhist caves resides the Girijatmaj Vinayak.

These caves are also known as Ganesh Gufa

THE TEMPLE & THE DIETY: -
The temple is Dakshinabhimukh- facing south and has been carved out on one single rock. The sabhamandap of the temple is 53 feet long and high, but does not have a single pillar to support it. The Sabhamandap has within it 18 Overee[small rooms for meditation] in one of these is the idol of Girijatmaj.

The idol itself is uttarabhimukh that is facing north. The idol here is not a statue but a fresco carved out into a rock. The head of the idol is turned to the left.

In the Garbhagriha here anyone can enter and offer their worship.

VIGHNESHWAR OZHAR

On the banks of the Kukdeshwar river, Ozhar is where Lord Vighneshwar resides. Lord Ganesh is known as Vigneshwara or the remover of all obstacles, this he achieved by vanquishing the demon Vighnasura.

“Bhaktanugrahe Gajmukho Vigeshwaro Brahamapam

Nana Murti Dharopi Naijamahima Khanda Sadatma Prabhu

Sweccha Vighnahar Sadasukhkar Sidha Kallo Swayepum

Kshetre Chozarke Namostu Satatam Tamse Parabrahamne"

MEANING:

Let my mind be concentreated to the God , who is elephant headed , benignant & remover of obstacle. He has defeated demon Vighnasur . He himself is Brahma.His greatness is undisturbed in his different forms.He is the greatest artist, He gives happiness to his devotees,who stays at Ozar.

ACCESS: -

On the Pune- Nasik Road on passing through Chakan, Rajgurunagar, Manchar, one comes to the towns Narayangaon and later to Junnar. Ozhar is 8km from both Naryangaon and Junnar.

LEGENDS: -

A king called Abhinandan one day decided to become the King of Heaven. To achieve this goal he started a Yagya, a sacrifice. When Indra the King of Heaven heard this he decided to create obstacles in the king's path. He summoned Kalapurush and asked him to destroy King Abhinandan's Yagya. After doing so Kalapurush acquired the name Vighnasura, the creator of obstacles.

Vighnasura then went on a rampage and destroyed all Vedic practices on earth. The gods realised that they had to destroy this destructive force and they turned to Gajanan for help, who in those days was at the ashram of Sage Parashar.

Gajanan took birth as the son of Parshwaputra and his wife Deepvatsala. This son then fought valiantly with Vighnasura, who had to except defeat. He abdicated himself to the Lord and asked to be blessed. Ganesh said that he would be let him go, but made him promise that he would never enter any place where Lord Ganesh was being worshipped. Vighnasura accepted this on condition that Lord Ganesh be known by his name.

So Lord Ganesh came to be known as Vighneshwar or Vighnaharta.

Ozhar it is believed is where Lord Ganesh resided as Vigneshwar

THE TEMPLE & THE DIETY: -

The temple of Lord Vighneshwar is Purvabhimukh, facing the east. It is protected by a stone border from all sides. Standing on this boundary one can see the Lenyadri Mountain where Lord Girijatmaj resides and the Shivneri fort, a historic fort belonging to Shivaji the Maratha King.

At the entrance are two statues of guards who are protect the temple. On entering one can see two overri-s [rooms used for meditation]. The sabhamandap is 20 feet long and in it is a marble statue of the mooshak[a mouse]- Lord Ganesh's means of conveyance.

All the walls of the temple are covered with attractive and colourful pictures.

In the garbhagriha, the sanctum resides the deity. The deity is also purvabhimukh, facing east and is seated. The eyes of he deity are studded with rubies, a diamond adorns its forehead and its navel is studded with other precious stones. On both sides of the deity are brass statues of Riddhi and Siddhi.

SIDDHIVINAYAK SIDDHTEK

Siddhtek is a remote little village along the river Bhima in the Ahmednagar district and Karjat tehsil in Maharashtra. The Siddhivinayak at Siddhtek is considered an especially powerful deity. It is believed that it was here on the Siddhtek Mountain, that Vishnu acquired Siddhi.

"Sthitho Bhimatire Jagadvan Kamen Harina

Vijetu Daityo Tachuti Malbhavou Kaitabhmadhu

Mahavighnarten Prakhar Tapasa Seitpado

Ganesh Siddhisho Girivarapu Panchjanak"

MEANING:

Lord Shri Hari Vishnu , who was surrounded by fierce calamities , performed penance on mountain Siddhatek which is on the bank of river Bhima . On receiving boon from Lord Shri Ganesh, Lord Vishnu killed two demons Madhu & Kaitabh . Oh! Lord Siddheshwar Shri Ganesh accept my salutation

ACCESS: -

On the Pune- Sholapur Railway Daund is the station from where one can reach Siddhtek which is 18km away.

LEGENDS: -

The place Siddhtek is believed to be the place where Vishnu ultimately achieved siddhi and thereby killed the demons Madhu and Kaitabha who he had been battling for a thousand years.Long ago Lord Brahma thought of creating Nature and for that he ceaselessly chanted the alphabet "OM". Lord Ganesha was delighted with the penance and gave him the boon that he will fulfill the wish of creating Nature.When God Brahma was creating Nature, Lord Vishnu fell asleep.Demons Madhu and Kaitabh emerged from God Vishnu's ears. They started harassing all the Gods and Goddesses.God Brahma realised that only Vishnu will be able to annihilate these demons. Vishnu tried his very best to kill them but failed. He then stopped the battle and took the form of Gaankushal Gandharva and began singing. Shiva when he heard the celestial notes of the Gandharva summoned him. Vishnu then told Lord Shiva all about his unfinished battle. Shiva said that since he had not sought the blessings of Ganesh his task had remained unfinished. Shiva asked Vishnu to recite the Shadakshar mantra[the Ganeshaya Namah] and said he would achieve what he wanted.

Vishnu chose the Siddhshetra to complete the ritual of propitiating Ganesh. Ganesh granted him his wish. Vishnu then created a four-door temple on the hillock and installed the statue of Gajanan. Since Vishnu achieved siddhi here Ganesh was called the Siddhivinayak and the place was called Siddhtek or Siddhshetra.

God Brahma got the energy to create Nature with Lord Ganesha's boon. Lord Ganesha accepted the two daughters of Lord Brahma as his wives.

In time the temple created by Lord Vishnu perished. It is believed that a shepherd saw Lord Ganesh here and started worshipping him. He then found a priest to conduct the worship and ultimately it was during the rule of the Peshwas sometime that this temple was erected

At Siddhatek Lord ganesh gave Darshan to God Vishnu.The temple is said to have been built by Lord Vishnu.The Siddhivinayak Temple is along the Bhima River which flows southwards. One remarkable thing about the river is that however rapid its flow it does not make any sound while flowing.

THE TEMPLE & THE DIETY: -

The temple is set on a hillock and faces North. The garhbhagriha, the sanctum of the temple is five feet high and ten feet in length. The threshold of the sanctum is made of brass. Near the temple there are small temples of other Gods Like God Shiva, Goddess Shitala, Lord Vishnu. The deity is flanked on both sided by large statues of Jay and Vijay.

The deity of this temple is swayambhu, three feet high and two and a half feet wide, facing north. The trunk of the deity is turned towards the right. A Ganpati with the trunk turned to the right is considered to be the dynamic form of Ganpati. The statue is in one corner of a hillock. Devotees who wish to circumambulate the temple have to go round the entire hillock. This takes about thirty minutes.

CHINTAMANI THEUR

At Theyoor in the Haveli Taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra is the temple dedicated to Chintamani Vinayak. The village is along the river Mulamutha. Ganesh as Chintamani is god who brings peace of mind and drives away all perplexities of the mind.

It is believed that Brahma the creator once felt tharva that is restive. To still his mind he called upon Lord Ganesh. The place where Brahma achieved the quietude he was looking for is known as the Sthavar region or as Theur.

"Brahma Srushtyadisakta Sthirahittam Pidito Vighnasande

Aakranto Bhutirakya Krutiganrajasa Jeevita Tyaktu Mischina

Swatmanan Sarvayakta Ganapatimamal Satyachintamaniyam

Mukta stapayant sthirmatisukhadam stavare dhudhi Midhe"

MEANING:

The one who is in search of happiness, who is in the midst of all calamaties should go to Sthavar means Theur & worship Shree Chintamani & get rid of all (worries) & calamities

ACCESS: -

On ones way to Khandala from Mumbai one passes the Bor- Ghat. Theyoor lies just after the Bor Ghat.

Theyoor is 25km from Pune

LEGENDS: -

Abhijeet was a great and powerful king who had everything in life except a son who would be the heir to his throne. The king and his wife at the suggestion of Rishi Vaishyampayane carried great penance and were finally rewarded with son who they named Gana. He later came to be known as Ganaraja.

The son was bright brave and gifted except he was also very aggressive. Ganaraja was once invited to visit the ashram of Sage Kapil. The sage was a good host and with the help of the Chintamani Ratna [a precious stone] he was able to serve the best of food to Ganaraj. Impressed by the ratna, Ganaraj wanted it for himself, but when Kapilmuni refused to part with the ratna, he forcibly took it away from him.

Goddess Durga who was Kapilmuni's mentor advised him to seek the help of Lord Ganesh.

Lord Ganesh responded to his call and battled with Ganaraj under a Kadamba tree and managed to get the ratna back for Kapilmuni. But by then Kapilmuni had lost all desire to possess the Chintamani ratna and he offered it Lord Ganesh. He tied the Chintamani Ratna around Lord Ganesh's neck and so he came to be known as the Chintamani Vinayak.

Since all of this occurred under a Kadamba tree, Theyoor was also known as Kadambanagar.

Theyoor village is surrounded on three sides by the Mula Muth river. The deepest point of the river is known as the Kadamba tirth.

THE TEMPLE & THE DIETY: -

The Chintamani Ganpati temple was erected by Shri Daharnidhar Maharaj Devji a scion of Maurya Gosaviji. After hundred years Madhavrao Peshwa made the Sabhamandap of the temple. A few years ago the shikhar- the crest, of the temple was anointed in gold.

The idol of Chintamani is purvabhimukha-facing east and its eyes are studded with precious stones.

The main gate of the temple faces North. There is a road that connects the

Mahadwar to the river Mula Muth. The Sabhamandap of the temple is made of wood and in its centre is a fountain made of Stone.

One of the interesting things about the temple is the separate section for meditation. It is called a Overry. These sections were found often in old temples but temples made in recent times do not have these sections.

There is also a small Shiva temple in the premises of this temple.