Ganesha: One God, eight idols

An  Ashtavinayak Yatra refers to a pilgrimage to the eight temples of Ganesha that house unique idols located around Pune. A day after DNA presented the first four temples, we list the remaining four.

Chintamani
As Chintamani, Ganesha brings peace of mind. Legend says Ganesha got back the Chintamani jewel from the greedy prince Guna for sage Kapila at this spot. But, the sage put it in Ganesha's neck. Thus the name Chintamani Vinayak.
This idol has a left trunk, with carbuncle and diamonds as its eyes. The idol faces the east. The temple is located 22km from Pune, off the Pune-Solapur Highway. Theur village sits at the confluence of three major rivers — Mula, Mutha and Bhima.
 
Girijatmaj
It is believed that Parvati performed penance to beget Ganesha here. Girija is another name for Parvati and Atamaj means son.

This is the only temple of the Ashtavinayak located on a mountain amid a cave complex of 18 caves of Buddhist origin. The temple is carved out of a single stone hill, which has 307 steps. The temple hall is 53ft long, 51ft wide and 7ft high, with no supporting pillars. The idol, which faces north with its trunk turned to the left, has to be worshipped from the rear of the temple.

The temple is located 12 km from Narayangaon, which is 94km from Pune on the Pune-Nashik Highway.

Vighneshwara
According to legend, Indra created demon Vighnasur to disrupt King Abhinandan's  prayer meet. But the demon destroyed all vedic and religious acts. When Ganesha  defeated him, Vighnasur pleaded for mercy. The Lord let him go on the condition he would not come where Ganesha is worshipped.  The demon then asked a favour that his name be taken before the Lord's and thus, the name Vighnahar or Vighneshwar. 

The temple faces east and the main hall is 20ft long and the inner hall is 10ft long. This idol, which faces east, has its trunk towards the left and rubies in its eyes. There is a diamond on the forehead.
The temple is located off the Pune-Nashik Highway, in Ozhar town.

Mahaganapati
Mahaganapati is the most powerful representation of Ganesha, with eight, 10 or 12 arms. It is after invoking this form of Ganesha that Shiva vanquished the demon Tripurasur.

The idol, which faces the east, is seated cross-legged. It has a broad forehead and the trunk turned to the left. It is said the original idol called Mahotkat, which has 10 trunks and 20 arms, is hidden in the basement. But temple authorities deny the rumour. This temple is situated on the Pune-Nagar Road in Ranjangaon.