Ballal Vinayak is the form of Ganesh worshipped at Pali in
Maharashtra, which is one among the Ashta Vianayaka Temples in Maharashtra .
The name Ballal Vinayak is the result of a boon given by Ganesha to child
Ballala whose unwavering devotion resulted in Ganesh appearing to rescue him.
Ganesha promised Ballal that from then onwards his name will be taken before
him. The murti worshipped is also known as Ballalesvara Vinayak and Ballala
Vinayaka.
Legend has it that young Ballala was an ardent devotee of
Ganesha. He and his friends used to worship Ganesha. Once Ballal and friends
went to forest and worshiped a huge stone murti of Ganesh.
Ballal Vinayak represents strength.

The parents of other children complained to Ballal’s father
that his son was making their children lazy by always worshiping Ganesha deep
in forest.
Fed up with constant complaints, Ballal’s father went to
forest and found Ballal and his friends in deep meditation. Seeing Ballal’s
father approaching all the children ran away. Ballal sat their meditating. This
angered the father who beat him up and broke the murti of Ganesha. He also tied
Ballal to a tree and challenged him saying he wanted to see whether his God
will come and rescue him.
Ballal continued with his prayers and Ganesha soon appeared
before him and rescued him.
Ganesha gave the boon to Ballal that his name will be always
taken before Vinayaka.
Ballal Vinayaka is worshiped at the famous Pali Ganesha
Temple . There is also a
murti of Ballal Vinayaka at the famous Moregaon Temple .
Related
Heramba Ganapati – 32 forms of Ganesha
Story of Ganesha as Ekadanta and Madasura
Related
Heramba Ganapati – 32 forms of Ganesha
Story of Ganesha as Ekadanta and Madasura