The worship of Lord Ganesha has a unique position in the spiritual life of the Hindus. As the God of wisdom, Good luck, destroyer of all sorts of evils, Ganesha is worshipped in multitude of forms and places in India. Of them, the Ashtavinayak temples are most important and Ashtavinayak Yatra is the holy journey. It’s a pilgrimage to the eight divine temples of Lord Ganesha in Maharashtra that is widely considered as a great spiritual voyage. With an elaborate collection of information about the Ashtavinayak temples, their importance, and the mythological related to any particular temple or the Yatra, this article aims at educating the reader about Ashtavinayaks.
Significance of the Ashtavinayak Temples
The Ashtavinayak are eight temples of Lord Ganesha in Maharashtra and every single temple holds a special tale behind of its discovery. As for the meaning of ‘Ashtavinayak’, this is ‘eight pillars or’ ‘eight faced’, or more literally, ‘eight Ganeshas’. These are specifically found in the largest region in Maharashtra known as Pune district and these temples are very holy. It is thought that if the devotees visit all the eight temples in a specific order and after visiting all the temples, he again goes back to the first temple, he gets the fulfillment of his desires and his soul evolves.
Historical Background
It has been stated that the origin dates of Ashtavinayak temples are still vague but they have been worshipped through out the generations. These temples have been described in various historical scripts and from the recoding of the Puranas, these temples are central in Hinduism worship. Through the ages, they have undergone various restorations by different dynasties and rulers of the land so that they remain standing to this day and are relevant in the present society.
Mythological Stories and Legends
There are mythological stories linked to each of the Ashtavinayak temples, and all these describe how lord Ganesha helped or performed miracles. Here are the detailed legends and significance of each temple:
1. Shree Mayureshwar Temple, Morgaon, Pune District
This temple is also known as the main Ashtavinayak temple out of all the eight. The idol is believed to have been self created and named, mayur because Ganesha once rode on this peacock to fight the demon known as sindhu.
2. Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek, Ahmednagar
Situated on a hillock, this temple is known for granting siddhi (spiritual powers) to any one who approaches it. The idol faces north and has its trunk turned to the right, a rare and powerful form of Ganesha.
3. Shree Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali, Raigad District
The origin of this temple is closely associated with Ballal, a young boy who devoted himself to the god Ganesha which makes this temple rather peculiar as Ganesh is usually worshipped in temples built in his name. The idol has a diamond on its navel and eyes.
4. Shree Varadvinayak Temple, Mahad, Raigad District
This idol faces east which is believed to be a direction of blessings and success. This temple has a lamp that has been lit since the foundation of the temple in 1725.
5. Shree Chintamani Temple, Theur, Pune District
This form of Ganesha is related to the legend of Ganesha who retrieved the jewel called Chintamani from the demon Guna and the idol is given with eyes entered with gems.
6. Shree Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri, Pune District
Chiseled out from the rock on the face of a cliff, this temple occupies a group of natural caves. This place is believed to be where Goddess Parvati worshipped Shiva to have a borne son as Ganesha.
7. Shree Vighneshwar Temple, Ozar, Pune District
Popular due to the story of Ganesha subduing the demon Vighnasur who was infesting hurdles in the world, the Ganesha has got a golden dome and a pinnacle.
8. Shree Mahaganapati Temple, Ranjangaon, Pune District
Known to have been the location where Ganesha fought with and eliminated the demon known as Tripurasura, the statue is sculptured in a ten armed posture and is called Mahaganapati.
The Ashtavinayak Yatra
Traditionally, the Ashtavinayak Yatra is completed by visiting the temples in the following sequence: Morgaon, Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Theur, Lenyadri, Ozar, and Ranjangaon. Many devotees end their Yatra in Morgaon the first temple of Ashtavinayak even after visiting all the eight temples of the lord. It is, however, considered to have an impact of giving spiritual benefits together with the desired results.
The myth and the legends connected to the temples reveal that the gods have endowed Lord Ganesha with the power of freeing people from obstacles. Ashtavinayak Yatra that is so designed and a path followed ensures that the devotees receive Lord Ganesha’s blessings. These temples bring a religious relevance as well as serve as a source of enhancement of the mythological and cultural routine of India and the Indians.