Shri Ashtavinayaka Tour - Mahaganapati Temple

The eighth among the Ashtavinayaka's revered shrines is the Mahaganapati, located at Ranjangaon, some 50 Km from Pune.

The idol faces the east with its trunk pointing to the left. The temple is designed in such a way that during the apparent movement of the sun to the south, the sun rays fall directly on the deity. The Lord is flanked by his consorts, Ridhi and Sidhi on both sides

It is said that the temple was built by Shiva, where he worshipped Ganesha in order to fight the demon Tripurasura. Tripurasura had built 3 powerful citadels (or forts) with a boon of invincibility given by Shiva himself. Howeever, as his atrocities in the universe grew, he had to be killed. So, Shiva prayed Ganesha and shot an arrow which pierced through the citadels and killed the demon.

Shri Ashtavinayaka Tour - Vigneshwara Temple Story

The Vigneshwara temple is the seventh of the Ashtavinayaka shines, located at Ojhar, which is about 85 kms from Pune. The literal meaning of Vigneshwara is "Lord of the obstacles" or "Remover of obstacles".

The temple features a spacious and large courtyard, a grand entrance and has lots of sculptural and mural works. The Ganesha idol faces east and has a left turning trunk. The idol is surrounded by his 2 wife's Riddhi and Siddhi and is covered with Sindur. His eyes are emeralds and forehead and navel are adorned with diamonds.

The story of Shri Vigneshwara Ganesha goes like this :
King Abhinandana performed a sacrifice in which he did not give any offering to Lord Indra. Infuriated, Lord Indra ordered Kala (Time/Death) to destroy the sacrifice. Kala took the form of a demon, Vignasura, who created obstacles in the sacrifice and ruined it.

Also, the demon started creating havoc in the whole universe and would create obstacles on the good deeds and sacrifices of sages and other beings. All the Gods then went to Ganesha for help and he battled and won over the demon, Vignasura. After the defeat, the demon agreed that he would not harass the beings of the world.

For this reason, it is said that Vigna would not dwell in places where Ganesha is worshipped. Hence the name of the Supreme Being as Vigneshwara, the One who had defeated Vignasura.

Ashtavinayaka Tour - Girijatmaja Temple Story

The temple of Shri Girijatmaja, the sixth temple of the Ashtavinayaka's - at Lenyadri, is situated 94 km from Pune near a village named Narayangaon.  It is present in one of the caves (Cave 7) of the series of 30 rock cut Buddhist caves called Lenyadri. The temple stands atop a mountain for which one has to take around 307 steps. The temple features a wide hall with no supporting pillars, which is 53 feet long, 51 feet wide and 7 feet in height.

There is no electricity inside the hall but the temple is so constructed that during the day it is always lit by the Sun rays. Ganesha idol faces north with its trunk to the left but compared to other Ashtavinayaka idols, it is not well carved off.

The name Girijatmaja literally means "Mountain-born" or "Atmaja (Son) of Girija". The story about Shri Girijatmaj Ganesha goes like this :

Once Parvati asked Shiva as to whom he was meditating on to which Shiva said that he is meditating on "the supporter of the entire universe - Ganesha". Parvati desired to have a son like Ganesha and she meditated on Ganesha for 12 years at Lenyadri.

Ganesha blessed Parvati that he would be born as her son and the clay image which Parvati worshipped came alive. Thus Ganesha was born to Parvati Devi at Lenyadri. Ganesha's escapades with childhood years, spanning around 15 years, were spent at Lenyadri during which he showed so many of his powers and innocence.

Ashtavinayaka Tour - Chintamani Temple Story

The fifth temple for the Ashtavinayaka tour, Chintamani temple is located in Theur, some
25 km from Pune. Theur, literally means Sthavar, which in turn means stable in Sanskrit. According to legends, God Brahma meditated at this place to get rid of his worries and owing to Ganesha's blessings, he was able to bring his restless minds to a stable state.

Theur Chintamani temple was built by a Ganapatya saint Morya Gosavi. Exact date is hitherto unknown. Ganesha idol faces east and is studded with jewel eyes and the trunk facing left. It is interpreted that the idol is sitting in a cross legged posture.

Another legened about the Chintamani Ganesha goes like this :
A warrior king named, Ganasura and his army once came to the hermitage of Sage Kapila, who had the wish granting jewel named, Chintamani. As the King had come to his doorstep, the sage felicitated them with delicious food. On seeing the prowess of Chintamani, the King forcefully wanted to take the jewel from the sage.

Kapila, a devotee of Ganesha, prayed to him and the God appeared and beheaded Ganasura. Ganesha returned the jewel back to sage Kapila but he asked the divine God's presence instead of the jewel. Thus, Ganesha stayed in Theur with the sage and became popular with the name, Chintamani Ganesha

Ashtavinayaka Tour - Varada Vinayaka Ganesha Temple Story

Varada Vinayaka is the fourth ashtavinayaka and the name literally means, the giver of bounty and success. The idol was found in the village of Mahad in 1690 AD in an adjoining lake in an immersed position and that is the reason why the idol has a weathered look. In 1725 AD, the Varadavinayaka temple was built in its primeval form.

The temple is located 80 KM from Pune, near Khopoli off the Pune Mumbai highway and is closest to the Mumbai city. The Ganesh idol faces east direction and its trunk is also facing east. There are 4 elephant idols guarding the 4 sides of the temple. The hall is 8 x 8 feet and the dome is 25 feet high, with golden top and having designs of cobra. There is also an oil lamp, which is said to be constantly burning since 1892.

The unique aspect of this temple, compared to other ashtavinayaka's is that this is the only temple which allows the devotees to pay their homage and respects to the immediate vicinity of the idol. It is said that during Maghi Chaturthi, if the coconut received as prasad is taken then the devotees are blessed with a son. Huge crowds get amassed during the Maghi Utsav, which is usually held during the month of February, on the temple premises.