Ashta (8) Vinayaka ( Ganesh or Ganapathi) Temples in Maharashtra State

                There is famous Ashta Vinayaka (Ganapathi & Ganesh) Temples in Maharashtra. These all are temples Vinayaka (Ganesh or Ganapathi) Swayambhu (self manifested).  People believe that these are so powerful temples. Thousands of pilgrims visited them regularly.

1. Mahad 

• It is a small village at khalapur taluk in Raigad district. Varada Vinayaka Temple is here. Vrada Vinayaka is Swayambhu. This temple is faced east and the idol has his trunk turned to left. Akhanda Jyoti is here since 1892. It was built in 1725AD. Mahad is 87kms from Pune, 73kms from Mumbai on Pune route, 21kms from Lonavala and 38kms from Pali Ballaleswar Ganapathi temple.

2. Pali 

• It is a small town in Rajgad district. It is on the bank of river Amba. Ballaleswar Ganapathi Temple is here. This temple is faced east as the sun rises, the sun races fallen on Swamy directly and the idol has his trunk turned to lefIt is rebuilt in 1760. It is 120kms from Pune, 103kms from Mumbai.

3. Ranjangaon 

• It is a small village near shirur in Pune district. Mahaganapathi Temple is here. This temple is faced east and the idol has his trunk turned to left, and has ten trunks and twenty hands. It was built in 9th century. It is 50kms from Pune on Ahmednagar route and 18kms from Shirur.

4. Theur 

• It is a small village at Haveli taluq in Pune district. Chintamani Ganesh Temple is here which is biggest temple of all Ashta Vinayak Temples. This temple is faced east and the idol has his trunk turned to left. It was built in 13th Century and renowed in 1772. Theur is 23kms from Pune.

5. Siddhatek

•  It is a small village at Karjat taluq in Ahemadnagar district. It is on the bank of river Bhima. Siddi Vinayak Temple is on a hillock one km from Siddhatek village. This temple is faced east and the idol has his trunk turned to right. This is the only shrine that has trunk turned to right in all the Ashta Vinayak Kshetras. It was built in 17th century. Siddhatek is 20kms from Daund and 105kms from Pune.

6. Morgaon 

• It is a village in Pune district. Shri Mayureswar (Moreshwar) Temple is here. This temple is faced east and the idol has his trunk turned to left. Morgaon is 24kmd gtom Kedagaon and 67kms from Pune.

7. Ozar 

• (Ojhar) It is a small village at Junnar taluk in Pune district. It is on the bank of river Kukadi. Vigneshwar (Vignahara Ganapathi) Temple is here.This temple is faced east and the idol has his trunk turned to left. Ozar is 88kms from Pune and just 10kms from Narayangaon.

8. Lenyadri 

• It is a hill, no man live here at Junnar taluk in Pune district. Lenyadri has more than thirty caves. Girijatmaja Temple is here in 7th number cave. The caves were builted in 3rd century. Lenyadri is 96kms from Pune, 5kms from Junnar and 15kms from Ozar Vigneshwar temple.