Eight Swayambhu (self made or naturally formed) forms of
Hindu God Ganesha on earth is known as Ashtavinayak Temples – the eight Ganesh
Temples are in Maharashtra . The Ashtavinayak
temples are located in eight places mostly near Pune in Maharashtra , India .
The murti of Ganesha in these temples is formed on a single large stone. The eight Ganesha temples are located in Morgaon, Theur, Ranjangaon, Siddhatek, Ozhar, Lenyadri, Pali and Mahad.
Mayureshwar or Moreshwar Temple : Morgaon
Located along the banks of Karha River in Morgaon village in Pune
District, Lord Ganesh is known as Mayureshwar or Moreshwar. Ganesha is here
depicted as riding a peacock. It is believed that Lord Ganesha appeared in this
form to destroy a demon named Sindhu.
Morgaon village is located in Baramati
Taluk and is around 55 km southeast of Pune city.
Chintamani Vinayak Temple : Theur
Theur or Theyoor is located 20 km south east of Pune city.
Mahaganapati Temple : Ranjangaon
Located at Ranjangaon, Mahaganapati Temple is believed to be the spot
where Shiva worshipped Ganesha before fighting demon Tripurasura. This is also
the most powerful murti of Ganesha as it is depicted having several arms.
Ranjangaon is located on the Pune-Ahmadnagar highway and is
around 55 km east of Pune City
Siddhivinayak Temple : Siddhatek
The murti of Ganesha at Siddhivinayak Temple is unique as it has a right
turned trunk. This famous temple dedicated to Ganesh is located at Siddhatek.
It is believed that Vishnu prayed to Ganesha before fighting demons Madhu and
Kaitab. Ganesh is named Siddhivinayak here because it is believed that Vishnu
achieved success because he prayed here.
Vighneshwar or Vighnahara or Vighneshwara Temple : Ozhar
Located on the banks of the Kukdeshwar River in
Ojhar or Ozhar in Pune District, Vighneshwar Temple represents the form that Ganesha
took to destroy demon Vighnasura.
This beautiful temple is located on Pune – Nasik Highway (NH
50) near Junnar and is around 80 km north east of Pune city.
Girijatmaja or Girijatmak or Girijatmaj Temple : Lenyadri
Located in Lekhan Hills or Lenaya Parvat
or Lenyadri, it is believed that Girija (Goddess Parvati) performed intense
austerities for 12 years at the present Girijatmaj Lenyadri Temple to beget Ganesha as her son.
One has to climb 283 steps to reach this shrine, which is surrounded by
beautiful hills. The Ganesh temple is part of a Buddhist Cave temple.
It is located around 150 km north-east of Pune city on
the Pune-Nasik Highway
Ballaleshwar Temple : Pali
Lord Ganesha shrine at Pali in Raigad
District known as BallaleshwarGanesh Temple is named after Ballal, a
staunch devotee of Vinayaka. It is believed that Ganesha appeared here to save
his devotee from irate villagers.
Pali is around 115 km west of Pune city.
Varad Vinayak or Mahadcha Shri Varadavinayak Temple : Mahad
Located
in Mahad in Raigarh District, Ganesha is believed to have given darshan to
Gruthsmadh here who performed penance to get rid of sins. He was granted what
he wished and therefore the Varad Vinayak here is known as one who fulfills
wishes. A lamp named Nandadeep at the temple is burning constantly since 1892.
Mahad is around 25 km southwest of Karjat, which is around
50 km from Pune.