GANESH SHRINES IN MAHARASHTRA
Chintamani Vinayak Temple of Theur
The Chintamani Vinayak Temple of Theur (Theyoor) in Pune District of Maharashtra is the 5th Ganesh Temple to be visited during the Ashta Vinayaka Pilgrimage. In this shrine Lord Ganesh as Chintamani brings peace of mind and drives away all the perplexities. According to the Legend it is at this spot Lord Ganesha is believed to have restored the precious Chintamani jewel from the greedy Prince Guna who stole it from Sage Kapila. However the sage refused to take the gem back and began to call Lord Ganesh as Chintaamani Vinayaka. Since the incident took place under a Kadamba tree this place also came to be known as Kadambanagar. Another legend regarding this place is associated with Lord Brahma.It is said that 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. This Ashta Vinayak Temple is situated at Theur, 25 km south-east of Pune, in Haveli Taluka of Pune District. Theur is situated at the confluence of the MulaMutha and Bhima rivers. The greenery and beauty of this place does not go unnoticed to anyone visiting this Mandir. This temple is build during the rule of Peshwas by Dharanidhar Maharaj Dev. This Temple also has a huge 5 Metal Bell which was bought from Europe by the Peshwas. The main entrance of the Chintamani Ashtavinayak Temple at Theur faces north and has a Temple Hall made up of wood. There is a small fountain made up of black stone in the hall. The Chintamani Vinayaka idol here is swayambu (self originated) and has his trunk turned to the left. The Ganesh idol faces east and has Diamonds studded in the eyes. This temple also houses a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple also has a separate section for those who want to meditate. Huge Crowds are seen at Chintamani Vinayak Temple during Vinayaka Chaturthi Festival. Also during the month of Bhadrapad Shuddh from the first to the sixth day and in the month of Magh Shuddh from the first day to the eighth day a lot of Devotees visit this Temple to offer prayers to Lord Ganesh. Theur village is around 25 km south-east of Pune and can be reached by road easily. From Pune buses are available from Sarasbag or Poolgate bus stand to Theur. The nearest Railway Station is Pune Junction.
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July 16, 2010 | Categories: Ashtavinayaka, Ganesh Shrines in Maharashtra | Tags: Ashtavinayaka, Chintamani, Theur | Leave a comment
Mumbai’s Shri Siddhivinayak Temple
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The idea of the construction of the temple struck to Late Deubai during the prayer time, she humbly requested Lord Ganesh and said, “Although I cannot have a child, let other ladies who are childless get the pleasure of child on visiting the temple and praying you”. Looking at successful subsequent history of the temple, it appears like the Lord Ganesh nodded to this humble request and pious thoughts and deeds of Late Deubai Patil. It is, therefore, this Siddhivinayak is famous for it and known as “Navasacha Ganapati” or “Navasala Pavanara Ganapati” in Marathi (Ganapati bestows whenever humbly genuinely prayed a wish) among devotees.
The idol of Shree Siddhivinayak was carved out of a single black stone and is 2’6” (750mm) high and 2′ (600mm) wide with the trunk on the right. This is rather unusual appearance of Lord Ganesh. The upper right and left hands hold a lotus and an axe respectively while the lower right and left hands hold a rosary (japmala) and bowl full of “Modak” respectively. As it resembles the sacred thread, a snake appears on the left shoulder to right side belly. On the forehead of deity is an eye, which almost looks like the third eye of Lord Shiva. On both sides of the Lord Ganesh idol, are placed one idol each of Riddhi and Siddhi goddesses who are appearing like peeping out of the Ganesh idol from behind. Because of these two deities along with Lord Ganesh, this temple is known as the Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple. These goddesses signify sanctity, success, wealth and prosperity.
Around 125 years ago, Shri Akkalkot Swami Samarth’s great disciple, Late Ramakrishna Jambhekar Maharaj, who was also ardent devotee of Lord Ganesh and Gayatri Mantra was blessed with Assyssinian ( Siddhi ). One day Swami Samarth asked Shri Jambhekar to bring divine idols. Out of the idols, except two idols, Swami Samarth told to bury in the front courtyard of the house of Swami Samarth’s another disciple Shri Cholappa, where Swami Samarth used to temporarily reside. Shri Jambhekar was also told to inhume remaining two idols in front of Lord Ganesh that he usually worshipped. During his attendance with Swami Samarth, Shri Jambhekar foretold that a Mandaar tree would grow on the place after 21 years, Swayambhu ( Swayambhu ) Ganesh would appear on the sacred place. From that onward people’s devotion would grow in leaps and beyond.
After few years, Jambhekar Maharaj whose Math is near sea-shore at Dadar, Mumbai, asked Late Priest Govind Chintaman Phatak to look after, perform regular religious pooja etc. of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple. The predecessor of Priest Phatak, there was Late Namdev Kelkar performing priest-wood job in the temple.
From the available information and records, the land of the temple complex was around 2550 sq.mtrs. There was a lake towards eastern and southern side of temple admeasuring approx. 30 x 40 sq.mtrs. This lake was built by Nardulla in early 19th century, to overcome the scarcity of the water, faced by the area. The lake was, later on, filled up, and now it is playground and a part of Kakasaheb Gadgil Marg.
There was also a rest house, sought of Dharmashala and a pair of beautiful 3.6 in high, stone masonry “Deepmalas”. There was also a dwelling unit for the owner of this complex. In the earlier days when there were not many structures of residential and commercial type in its neighborhood area. The devotees in large numbers started visiting the temple only after 1952 and the long standing Q’s were seen in 1965 onwards.
Since the owner had divided the original plot and subleased it to different parties and naturally the space available around this old temple reduced and became quite small. After 1975, the number of devotees visiting the temple started growing by real sense of Geometrical Progression. It became difficult to enter the temple or even to have “Darshan” of Lord Ganesh, the devotees were finding it quite troublesome to enter through the two small doors
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July 10, 2010 | Categories: Ganesh Shrines in Maharashtra, Ganesh Shrines in Mumbai | Tags: Siddhivinayaka | Leave a comment
Ballaleshwar, Pali
The legendary story of Shri Ballaleshwar is covered in Upasana Khand Section -22 occurred in Pali – the old name Pallipur.
Kalyansheth was a merchant in Pallipur and was married to Indumati. The couple was childless for quite some time but later was blessed with a son known as Ballal. As Ballal grew, he spent much of his time in worshiping and praying. He was devotee of Lord Ganesha and used to worship stone idol of Shri Ganesha in the forest along with his friends and companions. As it used to take time, the friends would reach home late. Regular delay in returning house used to irritate the parents of the friends of Ballal who complained to his father saying that Ballal was responsible for spoiling the kids. Already unhappy with Ballal for not concentrating on his studies, Kalyansheth was boiling with anger when he heard the complaint. Immediately he reached the place of worship in the forest and devastated Pooja arrangements organized by Ballal and his friends. He threw away the Stone Idol of Shri Ganesh and broke the pandal. All the kids got frightened but Ballal who was engrossed in Pooja and japa, did not even know what was happening around. Kalayan beat Ballal mercilessly and tied him to the tree saying to get fed and freed by Shri Ganesha. He left for home thereafter.
Ballal semiconscious and tied to the tree in the forest was lying as that with severe pain all over, started calling his beloved God, Shri Ganesha.
“O Lord, Shri Ganesha, I was busy in praying you, I was right and humble but my cruel father has spoiled my act of devotion and hence I am unable to perform Pooja.”
Shri Ganesha was pleased and responded quickly. Ballal was freed. He blessed Ballal to be superior devotee with larger lifespan. Shri Ganesha hugged Ballal and said that his father would suffer for his wrong doings.
Ballal insisted that Lord Ganesha should continue to stay there at Pali. Nodding His head Shri Ganesha made his permanent stay at Pali as Ballal Vinayak and disappeared in a large stone. This is famous as Shri Ballaleshwar.
Shri Dhundi Vinayaka
In the above mentioned story the stone idol which Ballal used to worship and which was thrown away by Kalyan Sheth is known as Dhundi Vinayak. The idol is facing west. The birth celebration of Dhundi Vinayak takes place from Jeshtha Pratipada to Panchami. From ancient time, it is a practice to take darshan of Dhundi Vinayak before proceeding to main idol Shree Ballaleshwar.
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July 10, 2010 | Categories: Ashtavinayaka, Ganesh Shrines in Maharashtra | Tags: Ashtavinayaka, Ballaleswar | Leave a comment
Ashtavinayaka
Ashtavinayaka or eight Ganeshas is located in Maharashtra state of India, The Ashtavinayaka yatra or pilgrimage covers the eight holy temples of Ganesha .All the Eight Temples are Swayambhu (self-originated) and Jagrut.There are various names of Lord Ganesh for various places. The various names of Lord Ganesh are Moreshwar, Mahaganpati, Chintamani, Girijatmak, Vighneshwar, Siddhivinayak, Ballaleshwar and Varad VinayakThese Temples are situated at Morgaon, Ranjangaon, Theur, Lenyadri, Ojhar, Siddhatek, Pali and Mahad. These places are at Pune, Ahamadnagar and Raigad district. Of the 8 vinayakas, 6 are in Pune district area and 2 in Raigad district but still comparatively nearer to the Pune areas.
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July 10, 2010 | Categories: Ashtavinayaka, Ganesh Shrines in Maharashtra | Tags: Ashtavinayaka | Leave a comment
Hi! My name is Vikram Kharvi. I am public relations consultant working with India's largest PR consultancy firm. This blog is a collection of pictures and articles from various sources and not authored by me. I started this blog to enhance my own knowledge on Ganesha and spread the same amongst all Ganesha devotees.
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