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
Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple Mahad
Bhagwan Ganesha is the most respected deity not just in Maharashtra, but all over the world. However, in the state, there are eight Ganesha temples, which are called Ashtavinayakas, or eight important Ganesha temples.
Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple Mahad is among them. Let’s learn about it more.
About Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple Mahad
The Varadvinayak Mahad Ganpati Mandir is the seventh Ganesha mandir in the list of Ashtavinayak that devotees visit during the Ashtavinayak Yatra. The temple is also called Math. The design of the temple is very simple. It has a dome with a height of 25 feet and a simple, tiled roof. On the top of the roof, there is a golden Kalasha. It is a square temple, and the size is very small—8 feet wide, and 8 feet long. Devotees are allowed to go inside the garbhigriha and do pooja.
History Of Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple Mahad
Mahad Shri Varadvinayak is an important temple. Since it is one of the Ashtavinayak temples, you can always find a rush in the temple. It was built (in fact, it was restored) by Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar in 1725 AD, who was a general in the army of the Peshwas.
The idol of this Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple is considered swayambu, or self-originated. Way back in 1690 AD, the idol was found immersed in the adjoining lake. The idol was restored, and a temple was built in 1725 AD near the lake by Subhedar Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar.
Every year, many devotees book an Ashtavinayak tour package from Mumbai to visit this place.
Location of Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple Mahad
Varad Vinayak Ganpati, popularly known as Shri Varadvinayak Mahad Temple, is one of the Ashtavinayak temples of Bhagwan Ganesha. It is located in Mahad, which is a small town in the Khalapur taluka of Raigad District, Maharashtra, India. It is conveniently near Khopoli, Lonavala, Mumbai, and Pune.
Though it is a little off the old Mumbai-Pune Highway, Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple Mahad is not difficult to locate as it is quite famous.
Best Time To Visit Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple Mahad
There is no special or best time to visit Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple Mahad. It is crowded all around the year. However, during Ganesh Chaturthi in the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar, there are special programmes and poojas during the ten-day festival. Similarly, special religious activities are performed in the month of Magha.
But because it is near the coast, there are a lot of monsoon showers there. Hence, accommodation and travel could be troublesome sometimes.
If you are planning to get Ashtavinayak Darshan during the peak festival days, then you may have to stand in the queue for some time.
How To Reach Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple
By Road:
Shri Varadvinayak Mahad Temple is 63 km from Mumbai, 85 km from Pune, 25 km from Karjat, 21 km from Lonavala, and 6 km from Khopoli. It is located one and a half kilometers off the old Mumbai – Pune Highway.
Both public and private operators operate a large number of buses. Mahad can also be reached via the Mumbai–Panvel–Khopoli road.
All Ashtavinayaka temples are located at a convenient distance; hence, an Ashtavinayak Tour from Pune can be completed in two days, covering four temples in a day.
By Rail:
The closest train stations to Mahad Sri Varad Vinayak are in Khopoli/Karjat, Pune, and Mumbai. Karjat is a stop where all big trains have a stoppage. From Karjat, one can reach Khopoli by catching local trains.
It is also possible to go to Khopoli from Lonavala, which is a stop for all major trains.
By Air:
To go to Mahad Ganpati by air, you need to go to Mumbai or Pune, which are the nearest airports. From there, it is possible to reach the temple by road.
Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple Mahad : Timings
The temple of Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple Mahad opens early in the morning, at 5.30 a.m. The temple closes at 9 p.m. The panchamrut puja is offered at 8 a.m.
Architecture of Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple
The Varadvinayak Mahad Ganpati is one of the Ashtavinayaka temples in Maharashtra. Like other Ashtavinayak temples, the murti, or idol, of Bhagwan Ganesh in this temple is also Swayambhu, or self-generated. The temple is actually a math. Therefore, it is very simple with a tiled roof. The dome of this temple is 25 feet high. On top of it, there is a golden kalasha, which has a carving of a Nag. It is a small temple that is 8 feet long and 8 feet wide. There are two idols in the temple. One outside the sanctum and one inside the sanctum. The Sanctum is made of stone, and there are beautifully carved stone elephants on it.
Significance Of Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple Mahad
First is that the Varad Vinayak idol is Swayambhu or self-created. Another thing is that Ganesha is called Varad Vinayaka because he fulfils the wishes of his devotees. The temple faces east, and the serene surroundings and peaceful environment give a spiritual experience to devotees. Shastrokta Ashtavinayak Yatra is a tour that follows a particular sequence. This temple is the third in the sequence.
Legends of Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple
According to the legend associated with the temple, there was a Prince Rukmaganda of Koudinyapur who went hunting. In the forest, a lady who was the wife of a rishi tried to seduce him, but he refused it. However, Indra impersonated the prince and fulfilled her wish.
The lady gave birth to a boy named Gritsmada. He was very intelligent and a scholar. He once asked other scholars fora debate, but they refused, saying that since he was not a brahmin, they could not discuss religious matters with him. Gritsamada asked his mother about the secret of his birth. When his mother refused, he cursed her. The mother also cursed him. But a celestial voice told him that he was the son of Indra.
Gritsamada came to Mahad and prayed to Bhagwan Ganesha. He was pleased and granted a boon. Gritsamada asked that he be regarded as a Brahmin, and Bhagwan Ganesha fulfilled his wish. Since he stayed there by fulfilling the wish of his devotee, Bhagwan Ganesha is worshipped as Varadvinaka here.
Festivals And Events At Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple
In the month of Bhadrapada, a five-day festival is celebrated starting from Pratipada to Panchami at Shri Varadvinayak Mahad. Similarly, in the month of Magha, the Magha Utsav is celebrated from the Magha Shuddh Pratipada to Panchami. Janmashtami, the birthday of Bhagwan Shrikrishna, is celebrated with a lot of joy and enthusiasm in the temple. On the auspicious day of Vijayadashmi, Bhagwan Ganesh is taken on a palanquin procession across the village. It is quite a significant event.
Where to Stay Near Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple?
There is a Bhakta Niwas, or rest house, made by the trust that offers clean rooms at very nominal rates. There are privately owned hotels and rest houses also; away from Mumbai or Pune, it is possible to plan a day's journey to this place.
Where to Eat Near Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple?
Since this is a famous place of religious importance, it is not difficult to get good-quality food of different varieties. Near the temple premises, there are many small and medium-sized hotels and restaurants that serve authentic Maharashtrian food and other cuisines.
Tourist Attractions in and Around Mahad
The main attraction in Mahad is obviously the Varadvinayak Temple. But there are many other small temples in and around Mahad. In Khopoli, which is near Mahad, there is an ashram called Shri Gagangiri Ashram. The Zenith Waterfall in Khopoli is another important tourist destination. Also, there is a Shankar Temple in Khopoli. Matheran, Khandala, and Lonavala are other famous places at a very close distance to Mahad.
Mahad to Other Ashtavinayak Temples Distance
Tips on Visiting Shri Varadvinayak Ganpati Temple
