Ganeshotsav 2012: The uniqueness is amazing

Ashtavinayaka, which literally means eight Ganeshas in Sanskrit, holds a high value in Hindu religion. Eight Ganesha temples at eight different places across Maharashtra with unique idol forms are believed to fulfil vows of the devotees. While all are situated around Pune, each of these temples has its own history.

A visit to all these eight temples is titled Ashtavinyaka Yatra, which holds a sacred value among pilgrims. According to shastra, there is also a specific order in which all these temples have to be visited. One has to start with Moreshwar’s temple in Moregaon, then visit Siddhivinayak at Siddhatek, Ballaleshwar at Pali, Varad Vinayak at Mahad, Chintamani at Thevur, Girijatmaj at Lenyandri, Vighneshwara at Ozar and Mahaganapati at Ranjangaon, after ending the yatra with a visit to Moregaon again.

Moreshwar
This temple, situated in Kartha village near Pune, is the most important temple among the Ashtavinayakas. The idol is three eyed, is seated and has his trunk turned towards the left. The original idol is much smaller than it appears, but continuous anointing of the idol with sindoor has resulted in the idol seeming much larger. It is believed that this layer of sindoor peels off on its own every 100 or 150 years, revealing the actual idol.

Siddhivinayak
God Vishnu is supposed to have vanquished asuras Madhu and Kaitabh after propitiating Ganesha here. This temple, which is situated next to the Bhima river in a remote village named Siddhatek, consists of the only idol among the eight temples with the trunk positioned to the right, which is considered to be the most powerful. To make one round (pradakshina) around the temple, one has to make a round trip of the hillock, which takes about 30 minutes.

Ballaleshwar
Among the Ashtavinayakas, Ballaleshvara, situated at Pali, is the only Ganesha which is famous by the name of his devotee. Pleased by the devotion of Ballal, Ganesha remained in the stone worshipped by Ballal, and hence, is called Ballaleshwar. This temple has two sanctums, the inner one housing the idol. The temple is constructed in such a way that after the winter solstice, the sun rays fall on the Ganesha idol at sunrise.

Varad Vinayak
Ganesha is said to reside here in the form of Varada Vinayak, the giver of bounty and success. The idol was apparently found in the adjoining lake in an immersed position. This idol faces the east and has its trunk to the left. An oil lamp in the temple is believed to be burning continuously since 1892. This is the only temple where devotees are allowed to personally pay their homage in the immediate vicinity of the idol.