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
Ashtavinayak tour from Mumbai is one of the most famous pilgrims of Maharashtra. Ashtavinayak temples are mainly the eight temples of Bhagwan Ganesha in Maharashtra state. Several devotees from across the world come here to seek the blessings of Bhagwan Ganesha.
When planning an Ashtavinayak Tour From Pune, you can always find an affordable and reliable Ashtavinayak tour package.
Mahaganpati Temple Ranjangaon is located in Shirur Taluka. It is around 50 kilometers from Pune. The Temple is one of the Ashtavinayak Temples, the eight most sacred Ganpati Temples in Maharashtra. In this Temple, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as Mahaganpati, which means the Regal Deity. Like all other Ashtavinayakas, this idol is also considered samshu or self-created.
Mahaganpati Ranjangaon temple is seated on a lotus, and there are Riddhi and Siddhi idols besides the main idol. They are the two wives of Bhagwan Ganesh. This Temple is east-facing, and a big entrance gate is quite beautiful and eye-catching.
According to the historical records, Mahaganpati Temple Ranjangaon was built in the ninth and tenth centuries. The construction is done so that the Sun’s rays fall on the idol during the sunrise.
Shrimant Madhavrao Peshwa, I used to stop here to pay his respect to Bhagwan Ganesh while on the way to war. He built a stone sanctum around the idol. The temple hall and “towards” were constructed by Sardar Kibe and Sardar Pawar, and Sardar Shinde.
In 1997, then Chief Minister Shri Manohar Joshi inaugurated the Nagarkhana.
Mahaganpati Temple
The Ranjangaon Ganpati temple is popularly known as Mahaganpati of Ranjangaon. It is located in Shirur Taluka, and its distance is around 50 kilometers via Pune – Ahmednagar Highway. The connectivity is good, and the road is approachable. The distance is covered in just 90 minutes from Pune.
This is the last Temple visited by devotees while on a complete tour of the divine Ashtavinayak Yatra. The Temple is on the highway, and the main entrance gate is visible from the road. At the time of special occasions, it is decorated with flowers and lighting.
Since Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple is in a geographical area where the weather is pleasant throughout the year, any time is good to visit Mahaganpati Temple Ranjangaon. July to November is a good time because there are many festivals during this period, but heavy rains sometimes create problems.
One should do Ashtavinayak Darshan Online Booking to avoid rush and inconvenience. You can choose between two- or three-day programs based on individual preference and liking. Two days program covers four temples daily, and Pune is the place for a night halt.
Three-day Ashtavinayak Yatra By Car covers Ashtavinayak temples and Shirdi and Jejuri also.
Mahaganpati Temple
Mahaganpati Temple Ranjangaon is located at a convenient place from Pune. It is on the highway and can be seen from the main road. One can reach the Temple by various means.
Regular bus services are there from Pune Station and Shivaji Nagar. If you are going from the Pune – Nagar highway, the route is Pune – Koregaon – via Shikrapur. Rajangaon is 21.2 km before Shirur. From Pune, the distance of Ranjangaon is 51.4 km.
The nearest Railway station to Ranjangaon Ganpati is Uruli, which is located in and around 16 km distance from Ranjangaon. But the train is not very convenient to go to Ranjangaon. A road journey is a good option.
The nearest airport to Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple is Pune airport, which is 50 kilometers from Ranjangaon.
Mahaganpati Temple Ranjangaon– Timings
The Ranjangaon Ganpati Mandir opens at 5 AM and remains until 10 PM.
Abhishek Pooja begins at 5.30 AM, and Samudaik Aarti begins at 7.30 AM. Maha pooja and Maha Naivedyam are from 1130 AM to 1230 AM.
In the evening, Samudaik Aarti happens at 7.30 PM. The timings of Shejarti or Night Aarti is 1030PM.
Ranjangaon Mahaganpati temple is one of the most special temples for its design and architecture. The Temple is constructed so that when the Sun turns southward, Dakshinayana, the sun rays fall on the main vigraha of Bhagwan Ganesh. Another significant characteristic of this Temple is its grand and beautiful entrance gate. It is huge and very attractive. There are two dwarpals at both sides of this gate.
The divine murti of Bhagwan Ganesh is in the Garbhgriha of Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple.
The Temple is constructed so that the Sun’s rays fall on the idol during the Dakshinayan or southern movement of the Sun.
It is believed that this is the place where Bhagwan Shiva invoked Bhagwan Ganesha and defeated Tripurasura. Earlier
Rishi Gritsamad’s son Tripurasur was a devotee of Lord Ganesh. Pleased by his devotion and prayers, Bhagwan Ganesh blessed with three pura’s of precious metals. They could be destroyed by Bhagwan Shiv only. But later, Tripurasura turned into vain and became a destructor. He started giving trouble to Bhagwan Brahma and Bhagwan Vishnu also.
Tripurasur fought with Bhagwan Shiva, who decided to defeat him. Bhagwan Shiva prayed for Bhagwan Ganesh and got blessings for victory. Then Tripurasur was killed in the war, and a temple of Bhagwan Ganesh was created in the place where Tripurasur was killed.
It is said that the Mahaganpati Temple Ranjangaon was built on the same place.
Various festivals are celebrated at Ranjangaon Ganpati Mandir, including Ganesh Chaturthi.
In the month of Bhadrapad, there is a grand festival of six days when several religious activities happen in the Temple. Mahaprasad is offered to Bhagwan on the fifth day. During this festival, a palki is taken around the area.
In the Magha month, the birthday of Bhagwan Ganesh is celebrated. It is called Ganesh Jayanti. The Magh Utsav is an important festival at the Ranjangaon Temple. Here, celebrations are held from Magh Shudh 1 to Magh Shudh 6. Various activities like bhajan, havan, pooja, and kirtan are celebrated.
Holi is also celebrated with joy in the month of Falguna.
In the Shravan month, Janmashtami is celebrated here with Dahi Handi.
Like all other Ashtavinayak temples, The Ranjangaon Ganpati Mandir Trust also runs a Bhakta Niwas that offers rooms at nominal charges. These rooms are available for twin sharing, four people, and a dormitory where multiple people can stay together.
Apart from that, there are many hotels and lodges around where one can stay. There are hotels for all budgets. Pilgrims also prefer to do a day trip from Pune because the distance is not far, and several conveyance modes are available.
When people book Ashtavinayak Tour Package From Mumbai, it covers all eight temples in two or three days. In that case, there is no need to stay in a hotel.
Since Mahaganpati temple is always crowded, you can find many eating choices. Some many hotels and restaurants serve not just Maharashtrian cuisine but other dishes as well. Dhaba-style food and South Indian dishes are also available.
The Mahaganapati Temple Trust also runs Annapurna Bhojanalaya, which provides afternoon lunches. The food is simple but satvik and very delicious.
Ranjangaon is around 50 kilometers from Pune, one of the major cities in India. Since Ranjangaon is located on the Pune-Nagar highway, it is possible to go to many other places. Khandoba temple of Jejuri is 60 kilometers, a prominent religious place. Ralegan Siddhi is around 30 kilometers. Ranjangaon to Uruli Kanchan is around 40 kilometers from this place.
When people book Ashtavinayak Darshan yatra, a certain sequence has to be followed. Typically, it begins from Morgaon. Then it follows Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Thevur, Lenyandri, Ozar, and Ranjangaon. Devotees are supposed to visit Morgaon again to complete the yatra.
Shastrokta Ashtavinayak Yatra begins at Morgaon and ends at the same Temple. The Yatra is completed in two or three days.
