Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi - A Hindu Festival
Ganesh Chaturthi is a lively holiday that honors Lord Ganesha with prayers, celebrations, and actions that are good for the environment.
A Division of Nishnai Holidays
Bhagwan Ganapati or Ganesha is one of the most worshipped deities in India.
The state of Maharashtra has recognition because of the sacred Ashtavinayaka temples that are special and sacred. The word Ashtvinayaka is a Sanskrit word that means Eight Ganeshas.
These eight temples are located in different places, and all of them are considered ‘Swayambhu’ or self-originated. These deities are “jagrut,” which means they fulfill the wishes of their devotees.
Each Ganapati is known by a different name, and there is a story associated with it.
Ashtavinayaka names and location
These eight temples are situated in three districts of Maharashtra- Pune, Raigad, and Ahmednagar. Typically, the sequence of the Yatra is as follows:
Traditionally, the AshtavinayakaYatra or pilgrimage should begin by visiting the Moreshwar temple at Morgaon. After completing the visit to the remaining seven temples, you have to return to Morgaon to finish the Yatra.
Let’s have a look at the details of these temples.
Moreshwar temple is the first to begin the Ashtavinayakayatra. It is 55 kilometers from Pune. The temple is well-connected by road.
The temple is 50 feet is tall and very beautiful. The temple has four entrance doors in four directions, but the main entrance is North-facing.
There are two huge Deepmalas or Lamp Towers in the courtyard. There is a big mouse in front of the temple.
There is also a huge sculpture of Nandi (Bull) facing Bhagwan Ganesha, which is an unusual thing. Normally, Nandi is present in Shiva temples.
Every day, the deity is worshipped thrice a day, 7 AM, 12 Noon, and 8 PM. On special occasions, such as Ganesh Jayanti (Magha Shukla Chaturthi) and Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi), every 4th day of the Shukla Paksha or Waxing Moon period; there is a great rush there. People from the whole world visit these days.
Celebrations occur on occasions like Vijaya Dashami, Somavati Amavasya, etc.
Siddhivinayaka of Siddhatek village in the Karjat Taluka of Ahmednagar District in Maharashtra is the second Ganesha temple in the sequence. It is known as Siddhivinayaka because Bhagwan Vishnu acquired Siddhi (special powers) here. It is also believed that since the god fulfills every wish of his devotees, he is called the Siddhivinayaka.
The temple is around 200 kilometers from Pune, on the banks of river Bhima. The temple stands on a small hill called Siddhatek. People perform a Pradakshina around the hill seven times to please Bhagwan Ganesha.
The main idol is around three feet tall, and it is the only idol amongst all eight with the trunk at the right side. It makes Siddhivinayaka special.
The present temple was rebuilt by Devi Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in the late 18th century. The other structures around the temple were built by different people in the later years. Built using black stone, it is a north-facing temple. The inner core or Garbhagriha is 10 feet wide and 15 feet high.
The major festivals are Ganesh Chaturthi in the month of Bhadrapada and Ganesh Jayanti in the Magha month.
The temple of Ballaleshwar is located in the village of Pali, at a distance of 28 kilometers from Roha of Raigad district in Maharashtra. It is situated between the famous fort Sarasgad and the river Amba. The distance from Pune is around 200 kilometers.
The original temple was wooden that was renovated in 1780, and a stone temple was built. It is East-facing, and every morning, sun rays fall on the Ganesha idol during the daily worship. There is a huge bell in the temple, gifted by ChimajiAppa, the brother of Bajirao I, after his victory over the Portuguese.
There are two celebrations, one in the month of Bhadrapada and another in the month of Magha. A lot of religious activities are organized during this period.
Kedarnath, one of the Char Dhams, is located in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag District. It is a popular Hindu pilgrimage spot where thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit every year to seek the blessings from Lord Shiva. The Kedarnath shrine is one of 12 Jyotirlingas (or blessings) of Lord Shiva.
Like all other Ashtavinayaka idols, the main “murti” or idol of Varadvinayaka is also “Swyambhu” or self-originated. It was found in the nearby lake in 1690, and Subhedar Ramji MahadevBiwalkar constructed the temple in 1725.
The idol is east-facing. There are four elephant sculptures in the four directions of the temple. There has been a “Nandadeep” or oil lamp burning since 1892 continuously.
People from all over the world come to pay their respect to Bhagwan Ganesha at the Varadvinayaka temple. Devotees are allowed to enter the inner core or Garbhagriha and perform worship.
It is in the Mahad village of Khalapur Taluka of Raigad District. It is approachable from all big cities in Maharashtra.
