There are many famous Temples of Lord Ganesha all over the India. Among these, eight places are more powerful & important than others. These eight such powerful places, are called as Ashtavinayaka. “Vinayaka” is another name of Lord Ganesha, the God loved and worshiped by every Hindus.These eight famous temples are in India, in the state of Maharashtra. In Maharashtra it’s presumed that, everybody should visit the Ashtavinayak at least once in a life time.
These Eight effigies are found among the nature, sculptured by nature have been housed in the temples created ages ago at the places where the effigies were first identified. These are ‘Swayambhu’ effigies.The mangalashtaka (poetic lines spoken at the time of marriage or thread ceremony) of Ashtavinayaka is song on holy occasions. The sequence of Ashtavinayaka pilgrimage according to the stotra (poetic line) mentioned in Purana as follows:
1)Morgaon
This famous temple is situated in the Baramati Taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra.As per the legend Lord Ganesh riding a peacock in the form of Mayureshwara slew the demon Sindhu in response to pleas from the Gods.This is the first famousTemple to be visited during the Ashtavinayaka Temple Pilgrimage.
2 ) Siddhatek
This is a remote little village on river Bhima in the Ahmednagar district and Karjat tehsil in Maharashtra state.According to the Legend it is believed that it was on the Siddhtek Mountain that Lord Vishnu invoked Lord Ganesha during his battle with the demons Madhu and Kaitabha and acquired Siddhi from him. This is also said to be the place where Sage Bhrushandi and Vyas had performed penances and attained Siddhi.ThisGaneshTemple is on hill top facing north and built by the Peshwas. Siddhi Vinayaka Temple of Siddhatek is the second Temple to be visited during the Ashta Vinayak Mandir Yatra.
3)Pali
Village Pali situated in the Raigad.District of Maharashtra state .This is the only temple of Lord Ganesh which is famous temple by the name of the Ganesh devotee. The Ganesh idol of Pali is known as Ballal Vinayaka and is associated with the legend of a young lad Ballal’s devotion to Lord Ganesh.The Ballaleshwar Temple of Pali is the third Ashta Vinayak Temple to be visited while during an Ashta Vinayak Temple Yatra. One specialty of this temple is that during sunrise the rays of the sun fall directly on the Ganesh Idol.
4) Mahad
Mahad is a pretty village in the hilly region of Konkan in Raigarh district ofMaharastra state.Varadvinayak literally means ‘the bestower of boons’. It is believed that Lord Ganesh as Varad Vinayak fulfills all the desires of his sincere devotees and also grants them boons. The idol of this Temple Varada Vinayak is a swayambu (self originated) and was found in the adjoining lake in an immersed position in 1690 AD. This Temple is said to be built in 1725AD by Subhedar Ramji Mahadev. The Varadvinayak shrine is associated with the legend of Prince Rukmangada, Indra and Sage Grutsamad. This famous temple premises are on one side of a beautiful pond. Shri Varada Vinayak Temple is the fourth GaneshaTemple to be visited during the Ashta Vinayaka Temples
5)Theur
Theur is in the Haveli Taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra state.legend regarding this place is associated with Lord Brahma.It Once Lord Brahma was feeling restless and called upon Vinayaka to ease his mind. As Lord Brahma’s worries (Chinta) were removed by the Ganesha at this place Lord Ganesh came to be known here as Chintamani Vinayak.Shri Chintamani Vinayak Temple of Theur (Theyoor) in Pune District of Maharashtra is the 5thGaneshTemple to be visited during the Ashta Vinayaka Pilgrimage.
6)Lenyadri
Shri Girijatmaj Vinayaka Temple of Lenyadri in Maharashtra is the sixth Ganesh Temple to visit on the Ashta Vinayaka Mandir Pilgrimage. ‘Girijatmaj’ literally means Ganesha the son of Girija (Goddess Parvati). According to the Legend Goddess Parvati who had a strong desire to have Vinayaka as her son performed penance for 12 years in the caves of Lenyadri to fulfill her wish. Pleased by her dedication Lord Ganesha blessed her and on the day of Bhadrapada Shudh Chaturthi when Parvati was worshiping an idol of Lord Ganesha it came alive and told her that her wish has been granted. This famousTemple is situated at the Lenyadri Mountain in a Buddhist Cave which is around 95 Kms from Pune. Lenyadri is in North of the Pune City .The beauty and pollution free environment of this area attracts to anyone visiting the Shrine. One of the important thing here is that, the Sun rays remain in shrine during the whole day i. e. from morning to evening.
7) Ozar
The Famous Temple here situated in Nagar district of Maharashtra, is known as Vigneshwara which means ‘remover of all obstacles’. It is believed that after visiting this place God takes away all your problems. As per the Legend a demon by name Vignasura was troubling the Sages. After the prayers of the Sages, Lord Ganesh fought with the Demon Vignasura who surrendered to Ganesha and agreed to stop his misdeeds. In memory of surrender of Vignasura the Sages installed an image of Vigneshwara at Ozar on Ganesh Chaturti day and offered worship. Shri Vigneshwara Temple of Ozar is the 7thTemple to be visited during the famous temples of Ashta Vinayaka .
8) Ranjangaon
Shri Mahaganapati Temple of Ranjangoan is the eight and last famous GaneshTemple tobe visit during the Ashta Vinayaka Pilgrimage. According to the Legend it is the place where Lord Shiva invoked Ganesha before fighting the Demon Tripurasura. Due to hichGanesha idol of this Temple is also known as Tripurarivade Mahaganpati. . The Idols of Jay and Vijay are present near the gateway. The temple is constructed in such a manner that the rays of the sun fall directly on the idol.
