LORD GANESHA ASTH VINAYAKAS

Ashta Vinayakas
Morgaon:
The Ganesh located here is known as Moreshwar and occupies a prime position amongst all the Ashtavinayakas. This is the place where the Ganesh was excavated in the shape of a peacock. In addition this place is inhabited by peacocks, consequently this place is also known as Morgaon or Mayurgram and the Ganesh of this place is referred to as "Mayureshwar"
The legend goes that in the 14th century a Ganesh devotee named Shri Moraya Gosavi worshipped the deity. Around the 18th century another Ganesh devotee Shri Ganesh Yogindra started praying to this Ganesh, during those time the temple was very small. The original temple was later renovated by Shri Moreshwar Keshav Gole and converted in to the one that we see today.

Theur:
This Ashta Vinayaka is located near Pune and the Ganesh is known as Chintamani. It is named so as it is believed that this Ganesh can accord peace to the soul and the heart of its devotees. There are some legends about this place as well. A devotee named Morya Gosavi by the sheer power of his penance invoked Lord Ganesh who descended in the form of a tiger. People still idolise a boulder near the temple as the Tiger form of Ganapati.
The great Peshwa warrior Madhavrao Peshwa and his wife were devout worshippers of this Ganesh. This is the place where he breathed his last, and where his wife Ramabai performed Sati. The Sati Vrundavan located near the temple bears testimony to the sacrifice made by Ramabai and she is still remembered on that day.
This place celebrates the Chaturthi falling in the month of Bhadrapad (Hindu Calendar) in a grand manner. This temple has been re-worked on by many devotees after the death of Madhavrao in the 18th century.
Lenyadri:
The Ganesh located in this place is called " Girijatmaj". This place is located in Junnar district in Maharashtra. The name of the place means a sacred place in the mountains. This place has a unique legend, which goes like this: Goddess Parvati wished to bear a son and to that effect she created a mud idol and through her prayers her mud idol came to life. Thus Lord Ganapati was born. This temple is located in the mountains and is situated atop 263 steps. It is also known as Jirnapurna and Lekhanparvat. This temple has been carved out of mountain rocks. One can also come across caves from the Buddha dynasty.
Ozar:
This Ganesh is known as "Vighneshwar". The legend mentioned in "Mudgal Purana" says that a demon named Vighnasur was troubling people and so all the Gods collectively prayed to Ganesh who descended here. This place is very scenic and beautiful and this deity is also worshipped by people with devotion. Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa was a great worshipper of this deity. Shri Chimaji Appa after one of his victorious battles conducted extensive renovations of the temple.
Ranjangaon:
This temple has many unique features and some interesting anecdotes about its origin. It is said that this place was first called as Manipur and at this place Tripurasur was annihilated. The Ganesh of Ranjangaon is known as "Mahaganapati" and "Mahotkat". This place is again situated close to Pune in Maharashtra.
The unique feature of this temple is that it faces the East, and the sunrays fall directly on the idol at the time of equinox and perinox. The credit of building this temple goes to Sardar Kibe. Madhavrao Peshwa has also contributed in the building of this temple.
As far as the actual temple sanctorium goes, there are two idols in it. The original one is the smaller one, which supposedly has 10 trunks and 20 arms. This idol is placed near the bigger one in the temple. A well located in this temple premise is full of water throughout the year, even in the times of drought.
Pali:
This place has special significance on the Chaturthi in the month of Bhadrapad and Magh as the deity known as "Ballaleshwar" is known to fulfill its devotees wishes on that day. The legend associated with this place says that there was a young devotee who worshipped a stone deeming it to be God. Pleased with his worship Ganesh started residing in the stone worshipped by Ballala, the young devotee. The temple is fort like and faces East, lending an ethereal look to the idol when the sunrays fall on it.
Mahad:
This temple is located near Khopoli in Maharashtra. It is known as "Varda Vinayaka" and it is said to be ideal to undergo penance. This temple is famous for the fact that the lamp in the temple has never got extinguished since the year 1892. In the year 1690 a devotee Shri Dhondu Paudakar found the idol in a lake situated nearby and later installed this idol near the lake. The temple was built in the next century around 1725.
Siddhatek:
This temple is located on the banks of the river Bhima near Boribal in Maharashtra. This temple is built by Ahilyabai Holkar and has idols of Vishnu and Shiva also. The idol of this temple is self-existent. There is an artistic brass frame around the idol, which is placed on a stone.
This temple also faces East and has a very scenic location.
Compiled by Manisha Pendse