Ashtavinayak Yatra with Jhejuri & Prati-Balaji

Hi. welcome to my blog. This time I am writing on Ashtavinayak Yatra. The reason for why I did is yatra is interesting. You wanna know? Here it is.
In Nov2010 my Mama family was going for Ashtavinayak darshan. They asked me if I wanna join. I refused.  I had no intentions. Then in Dec'10 our colony ppl were planning out a picnic to Ashtavinayak. Chaya Kaki and Pushapa kaki tried to console me and mom very much to join them. If my Mom would have said Yes then I would have joined. But she didnt wanted to go, and so even I didnt go. Later in Christmas vacations Vidya took her mom for Ashtavinayak darshan, and she also asked me if I wanted to join with my Mom. I again refused. I had no mood. I did go for Kalsubaie trek in that vacations. 
THEN... in January2011 one day I was busy in my work in office at my desk, and out the blues from somewhere Reena came to my desk. AND for my surprise and shock, she asked me for ASHTAVINAYAK DARSHAN. O god... I got goosebumps. Wats going on... There was no doubt that IT WAS A CALL. It was my time to go for Ganapati Darshan. And thankfully I realized it and understood the message from God not later than this 4th time. There was no chance that I say NO again. And thus we planned to go for Ashtavinayak Yatra.

DAY 1: 14th Jan 2011, Friday 

1) Mahad - Varad Vinayak 

The Main Entrance outside (Above)

The Temple (below)

History/Story:

JAGRUT devasthan (holyplace). Means all the wishes and prayers of the devotees come true. 
In 1690, one devotee found the idol of lord Ganesha in a pond. He then placed that idol for worship in a small corner of huge old house.

The Pond behind the Temple

Vachaknavi and his wife Mukunda stayed in a forest. Once, there came a prince Rukmanganda tired, to ask for water. Vachaknavi asked him to go inside the hut and wait till he is back from bath. But Mukunda became enamoured by the prince’s beauty and asked him to fulfill her desire. As Rukmanganda was of extremely good character he flatly refused. Mukunda became angry and cursed him to became a kusta roogi (i.e. leprosy). [But later on Narad Muni's advise Rukmangada took bath in Chintamani lake and worshipedthe Ganesha there, cured]. After Rukmangada left, Mukunda became very much lovesick.At that time, King Indra, knowing her plight, took the form of Rukmangada and had pleasure with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son. Vachaknavi named him as Gritsamada and taught him all Vedas & Mantras. Gritsamada was lustrous and intelligent. 

Once when Gritsamada was in a ceremony of sages, he was teased and insulted. He went back to his mother Mukunda and asked her the real truth of  his birth. Mukunda told fact. Gritsamada became very angry and felt insulted.  Gritsamada cursed her to became a throny plant bearing bhor fruits. Nobody will touch these fruits because of thorns. Mukunda also became angry and said, “Through I am a sinner, I am your mother, I curse you that a cruel rakshas (i.e. demon) will born from you.”At that time there was a voice from heaven ‘Gritsamada is Indra’s son’ both mother & son were shocked. Mukunda was converted into the plant of BHOR. Gritsamada felt ashamed.

To wash away his ill Gritsamada then ran to a forest in Mahad village. There he prayed and did Lord Ganesha's UPASANA. He pleased the lord, and Lord Ganesha appeared before him. And then Gritsamada founded the "Varad Vinayak" temple in Mahad village.

Since 1892, one Nandadeep (Oil Lamp) in the temple is kept litted continously. 

Also there is a wall. If your try to stick a coin on this wall, saying ur wish, and the coin sticks to the wall, then they say that your wish will be completed.

Facts:

The idol is Left truncked. 

Back Side of Temple

Back of temple, way to Datta Mandir

Datta Mandir

The old temple was made up of wood. Later Kalyan's Bivalkar (who was a sardar of the historic Peshwa dynesty) initiated the renovation of the concrete temple. 

Here there is a Lord Datta temple as well behind the main VaradVinayak's temple.

2) Pali - Balleshwar

Ballaleshwar - Outter Entrance

Ballaleshwar - Inner Entrance

  

History: 

Here in Pali village lord Ganesha appeared due to the prayers and worshipping of a small kid. In Krut Yuga, there was a merchant named Kalyan seth. He had a son named Ballay. Ballay was a gr8 devotee of Lord Ganesha. He use to do non-stop prayers of Lord Ganesha. But Kalyant seth didnt like this. One day he heat Ballay a lot, kicked the small idol of lord Ganesha which was 

Dhundi Vinayak Entrance

worshiped by Ballay, and tied Ballay to a tree. Still Ballay didnt stop. He kept chanting the Ganesha mantra when he was tied to the tree. Lord Ganesha was pleased and then he appeared in before the kid Ballay. Thus, Ganesha resided here in Pali with the name of Ballaleshwar. And that small idol which was worshiped kid Ballay is called DHUNDI VINAYAK. We have Dhundi Vinayak temple before Ballaleshwar;s temple on the way. One is suppose to visit Dhundi Vinayak before Ballaleshwar. This is JAGRUT devasthan. 

Facts: 

The Temple is East facing.
When the sun rises, automatically some rays fall on the idol of Ballaleshwar (Lord Ganesha's idol here).
There are 2 ponds in front of the temple here. They say is these ponds never get dried up, they are always filled with water.

Ballaleshwar Temple

There is a Ghanta(Bell) here, which the Peshwas offered in dedication to the temple when they won the Vasai fort.

The Mushak/Mouse here is made up of Silver, and so is the Makhar of Ballaleshwar.

The idol is 3 feet tall. There are real Diamonds in the eyes of the idol.

Every prayer and Aarti when is done, is done of Dhundi Vinayak 1st, and then Ballaleshwar by the Temple poojaris. 

Lunch in Lonavala @ Chandralok Hotel

Prati Balaji - Narayangaon

Stay in Hotel @ Chinchwad, Pune.

DAY 2: 15th Jan'2011, Saturday [Makar Sankrant]

3) Ranjangaon - Mahaganapati 

The Temple view

History/Story:

Lord Ganesh gave a blessing to Tripurasur. Due to which he became very ferocious and destructive. He took away the throne and Sinhasan (Royal seat) of Lord Indra. Also trouble Lord Shiva a lot. That time again all the Gods along with Lord Shiva went to Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha was pleased and gave a blessing by which Lord Shiva killed Tripurasur. All the Gods came together then and established the Manipuri village, which is today called Ranjangaon.

Facts:

Mahaganapati: The Entrance

This temple looks just like a FORT. The entrance is really nice and impressive and huge.

There is a small Lord Datta temple outside in the campus. 

The temple is EAST facing.

The temple is constructed in such a way that between Uttarayan and Dakshinayan, the sun rays fall straight on the idol of the Lord Ganesh.

There is also Ganapati's favourite Shami Mandar tree here. And again the Sabha Mandap here is of historic Peshwa times.

The Mahaganapti Temple's main Gabhara from inside

Mushak/Mouse here is made up of black stone.

Makhar here is made up of Silver. 

Idol is Left truncked. It has 10 trunks and 20 hands. Such a state Ganesha is called as MAHAGANAPATI.

There are the idols of Riddhi and Siddhi besides the idol made up of coper. 

4) Theur Gaon – Chintamani

Entrance of temple from outside

The Chintamani temple view

History/Story:

In old times there was a King named Gana. Once after his hunting expedition he came to Kapila Rishi's Ashram for taking rest. Sage Kapila welcomed Ganaraja & invited for lunch along with his sena(army). 

King of gods Indra had given sage Kapil a jewel called Chintamani. With its help the sage fed the entire army with good food. Being impressed by the power of the jewel, King Gana liked it. He wanted it. He asked Kapil muni for that ratna. And when Kapil muni refused to give that ratna, he snatched it and went away.

Kapil muni then went to Lord Vinayaka, Then Lord Vinayaka fought with King Gana, where the King got defeated and killed. Lord Vinayak got the ratna Chintamani back to Kapil muni. But Kapil muni offered in dedication the Chintamani ratna to Lord Vinayak. Since then Lord Vinayak got the name Chintamani. 

So, this Lord Chintamani Vinayak is said that takes away all the Chinta(tensions) of his devotees.

Facts:

The huge Ghanta (Bell) gifted by the Peshwas'

The Chintamani idol is SWAYAMBHOO, sitting on his folded laps.

There are Ruby(Manik) in the eyes of the idol. 

Shreemant thorle Madhavrao Peshwe [from historic Pehswa dynasty] improved this temple at Theur village. There is Peshwe Wada (Castle of the Peshwa's) nearby the temple. 

Madhavrao Peshwe was a gr8 devotee of Lord Ganesha. He had also offered in dedication to the temple this huge Ghanta (Bell).

Inside the temple, just in front of the door of the Gabhara there is a huge big havan kund type thing made of stone. But its not Havan Kund. Its actuallay WATER FOUNTAIN of Peshwa times.

There is Mula Mutha river around Theur.

5) Shidhatek – Shiddhivinayak 

The Siddhivinayak Temple entrance Vighneshwar Travels group going Aarti in Siddhivinayak Temple

History/Story:

On the Sidha tekadi/hill, Lord Vishnu pleased Lord Ganesha by continuous chanting Kshadakshadi mantra and then killed many devils by Lord Ganesh's blessing and grace.Hence, we find a Lord Vishnu temple at a place across the banks of Bhima river. The idol of Lord Vishnu in this temple has real Pearls in his eyes. From this temple we can see straight opposite on the Sidha tekadi/hill, the Temple of Siddhivinayak. This temple is built by Lord Vishnu himself.

Facts:

Siddhatek village is on the banks of the Bhima river.

The stony stair case of this temple is build by famous personality of historic Peshwa times - "Haripannta Phadke" 

The middle Gabhara is built by Ahilyabaie Holkar of Indore.

The Idol of Siddhivanayak is SWAYAMBHOO. 

 Idol is 3 feet tall and 2.5feet broad. This Ganapati is sitting with his laps folded.

Siddhivianayak with RIGHT TRUNKED i.e. trunck towards RHS. Normally the trunck is towards LHS. There is a special significance of Idols of Ganesha's who have their trunks towards right hand side. Its suppose to be very strict,disciplined and with no escuses.

Its a JAGRUT devasthan.Means all the wishes and prayers of the devotees come true.

TEKADI PRADAKSHINA - Generally we put pradakshina to every Ganapti temple or Idol. But if one wishes to put pradakshina to Siddhivinayak, then he will have to go round the complete Siddha tekadi/hill. Dont know why?

6) Moor Gaon - Mooreshwar/Mayureshwar

History/Story:

Towards the east of the Mandir(temple) there is an idol of lord "Bhairava". Prior to visitng and worshiping lord Mooreshwar,  one MUST meet and worship this KAAL BHAIRAVA. But we didnt do this. I got to know about it later when I saw the CD.

The temple and entrance of lord Moreshwara is "Uttarabhimukh" i.e. North Facing.

The mandir has got high fencing, just like fortification of a fort. From outside it will look like a fort only.

And this fencing they say is 50 feet tall.

The name of the person who did renovation of this temple is Anna Gole. 

Nandi

Strangely we see a Nandi (idol of an OX) in a Ganpati's mandir here.[Generally Nand's are alywas in Lord Shiva's temples] There is a story behind this. They say that once a devotte was taking this Nandi in a vehicle to lord Shiva's temple. But he faced lots of difficulties and both got tired & bored, and they decided to rest that day here. That night Nandi came in the dreams of the devotee and said that he wants to stay back at lord Ganesh's temple only. From that day, Nandi is here.

UndirMama (Mouse)

Behind the Nandi, is the idol of Undirmama (mouse). Here the size of the mouse is larger than usual, unlike any other temples. He holds laadu in his 1st two legs facing the temple.His view of lord ganesha is blocked by Nandi.

KalpVruksha

*There is a another tree which they call KalpVruksha here. A person named Morya Gosavi had attained enlightenment under this tree. [I confused about this fact]

There was a king from a place Mithil,Gandaki named Chakrapaani. He did SuryaNarayana's  UPASANA, and so was blessed with a Son. He named his son "Sindhu".  Sindhu as he was growing up, he also did Surya(Sun) Upasana and achieved immortality. In future when Sindhu became the king he started exploiting ppl and he wanted to become the King of Trilok i.e. King of Earth, Heaven and Hell. Then all other Gods stated praying to Lord Ganesha. That was the time when Lord Ganesha, appeared on Earth in his incarnation of "Mooreshwar" [lord sitting on "moor" meaning peacock]. Mooreshwar then had a battle with Sindhu, and defeated him. All the Gods were released and relieved. Then they founded Mooreshwar's Temple in this Moor gaon (village).

Facts:

There are real diamonds in the eyes and bembi of the Idol of Lord ganesha here.

The trunck is towards left. Ukidvi basleli. there are idols of Ridhi and Siddhi towards left and right of the idol.

Nagaraja cha phana (The expanded hood of Serpent God) is shadowing the the head of the idol.Its not very clearly noticable, as it is in the background above the head in orange color.

Here there are Shami and Mandar trees in the temple campus. These are favourite tress of Lord Ganesha.

They say that Ashtavinayak Yatra's sangata (end) should be done by darshan(visiting) Lord Mooreshwar only. 

Jhejuri - Khandoba

 

Back to hotel in Chinchwad, Pune.

 






Day 3: 16th Jan'2011, Sunday

7) Ozar - Vighneshwar

History/Story:

On the Himalaya montains, King Abhinandan started the Yandnya. Because Lord Indra was not invited for the yadnya, so he sent rakshash/devil Vighnasur to spoil the yadnya. So all the sages and Gods in the yadnya got terrified and prayed to Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesh defeated devil Vighnasur. And then Vighnasur asked and requested Lord Ganesh to take his name. And then Lord Ganesh accepted the name "Vighneshwar". Since then here the God's name is Vighneshwar.

Facts:

The temple is East facing and has stony fortification on all 4 sides.

The peak of this temple is built by Chimaji Appa from the Peshwa Dynasty (Thorler Bajiroa Peshwa's younger brother). Chimaji appa did renovation of this temple when Peshwa's won the Vasai fort.

The Mushak/Mouse here is made up of marble stone and is right on the door step of the Gabhara.

The idol is Left Truncked and has Diamond on the forehead and Ruby in eyes.

On both sides of the idol there are small little idols of Riddhi Siddhi made up of Copper.

The new bridge

Back side of the temple

Here the cab goes right behind the temple, crossing the newly build bridge over the Ukadi river.

8) Lenyadri – Girijatmaja[6th amongt Ashtavinayak]

The Caves on Lenyadri Mountain

History/Story:

On one Bhadrapada Shudh Chaturthi, Parvati scrapped the scraf from her body, mixed it with oil & ointment & formed an idol of Ganesha. She was performing pooja of that idol, suddenly that idol become alive & told Parvati that as desired by her he has taken Avatar in her house. On 11th day he was named as "Ganesh".

Facts:

Its located in Junnar district high up on Lenyadri mountain. There are some so many steps(320) that one has to climb to reach the temple. 

The Steps

The Devalay inside the Cave

Bhima chi Gadha

This temple is strangely SOUTH FACING. Its actually a stony cave and not like a typical Indian temple.

Here there is no seperate idol of lord Ganesha. There is a stone carving of Lord Ganesha.

There is a Buddha Stupa in one of the caves. This is called "Bhima's Gadha" because of its shape. 

Here we can worship on our own, unlike other temples.

The view from the top is amazing. And an average person will take max 30mins to reach the top.One can see Shivaji Maharaja's birth place - Shivneri fort from Lenyadri. I tried to spot. And I did identify one of the hills as Shivneri and I think I shud be right, as just the previous weekend I had been to Shivneri.

Travels – Vighneshwar travels

Contact – Suresh – 9769474093 / 9167497416

Cost was – Rs3000 (he had said 3100, we bargained)

Overall rating of the tour = 5/5. I recommend it.

Accomodation and Bus was AC. But we didn’t use it.

Food was delicious always.

Non-hectic & well managed tour.