Moreshwar or Mayureshwar

Location: Morgaon, Pune District.

Route:
Road: Sixty-eight km from Pune on the Pune-Bangalore highway.
Rail: Alight at Nira or Kedgaon station on the Pune-Bangalore highway. (Regular buses ply from the
station.)

The Temple and idol:

The temple faces the north. Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with a serpent above the head. The temple
has eight Ganesha idols in eight corners. These are Ekadanta, Mahodara, Gajanana, Lambodara, Vikata,
Nataraja, Dhumravarna, Vakratunda. The God here is worshipped three times every day: at 7 am, noon
and at 8 pm.

Yatra:
Magha Shukla 4 and Bhadrapada Shukla 4. The God's palkhi travels from Chinchwad during both the
chaturthis.

Utsav:
Vijayadashami Shukla 4 and Krishna 4, Somavati Amavasya.

Legend and history:

Ganesha, riding a peacock, in the form of Mayureshwara is believed to have slain the demon Sindhu at
this spot.

Ballaleshwar - Pali
Location: Pali, Kulaba District.

Route:
Road: Forty km from the Khopoli-Shil Phata Road, off the Mumbai-Pune highway, about 11 km before
Nagothane on the Mumbai-Goa highway.

The Temple and idol:

The temple faces the east. Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the right.

Yatra:
Magha Shukla 4.

Utsav:
Not Available

Legend and history:

Ganesha is believed to have saved his boy-devotee, Ballala, who was beaten by villagers for his single-
minded devotion to the Lord. Moroba, the brother of Nana Phadnavis and Kaka Baburao built the temple.
It was later renovated by a local citizen named Krishnaji Narayan Ringe between 1824 and 1830.
 Varadavinayaka - Madh
Location: Madh, Kulaba District.

Route:
Road: About three km off the Pune-Mumbai highway near Khopoli (80 km from Pune).

The Temple and idol:

Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the left. The nandadeep here is kept burning
continuously and is said to be shining since 1892. The idol was found in the adjoining lake.

Yatra:
Magha Shukla 4, Sankashti is celebrated every month.

Utsav:
Not Available

Legend and history:

Ganesha resides here in the form of Varada Vinayaka, the giver of bounty and success. This temple has
been built between 1690 and 1720. The subhedar of Kalyan, Ramaji Mahadev Biwalkar built this temple
and presented this village to the temple.

Chintamani - Theur
Location: Theur, Pune District.

Route:
Road: Twenty-two km from Pune off the Pune-Solapur highway.
Rail: Five km from Loni Railway station on the Pune-Solapur section.

The Temple and idol:

The temple faces the north. Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the left.

Yatra:
Bhadrapada Shukla 4. Punyatithi of Ramabai Kartika Krishna 4.

Utsav:
Not Available

Legend and history:

Ganesha is believed to have got back the precious Chinatamani jewel from the greedy Guna for sage
Kapila at this spot. Moraya Gosavi attained his siddhis (spiritual powers) here. This was the favourite
temple of Shrimant Madhavarao Peshwe. He stayed here during his last illness and breathed his last near
the temple. Ramabai performed sati close by.

Girijatmaka - Lenyadri
Location: Lenyadri, Pune District.

Route:
Road: Twelve km from Narayangaon, which is about 90 km from Pune on the Pune-Nashik highway.

The Temple and idol:

The temple is on a hill, which has 283 steps. The hill is full of caves. The idol faces north and this
particular idol has to be worshipped form the rear of the temple.

Yatra:
Not Available

Utsav:
Not Available

Legend and history:

It is believed that Parvati performed penance to beget Ganesha at this point. This temple stands amidst a
cave complex of Buddhist origin. Little is known about its antiquity. It appears that the Ganesha idol
came much later than the period in which the caves were built. The temple which stands at a hill top, is in
a deserted location and there is no human habitation close by. Even the archaka (priest) lives some
distance away.

Shri Vighnahar - Ohzar

Location: Ozhar, Pune District.

Route:
Road: Pune-Nashik Highway, turn at Narayangaon towards Junnar, follow directions to Ozhar.

The Temple and idol:

Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the left. Temple faces East and has several idols.
There is a beautiful deepamala in the temple.

Yatra:
Not Available

Utsav:
Not Available

Legend and history:

It is believed that Chimaji Appa, the younger brother of Bajirao Peshwa had a golden kalasa fitted on the
temple tower as thanksgiving for his victory over the Portuguese at Vasai. But records show that the
temple was built only in 1785. It has been hence reconstructed.

Mahaganapati - Ranjangaon
Location: Ranjangaon, Pune District.

Route:
Road: About 50 km from Pune on the Pune-Ahmednagar highway.
Rail: Alight at Uruli railway station on the Pune-Solapur line. The temple is situated 16 km from the
station.

The Temple and idol:

The temple faces the east. The real idol is buried behind the idol that can be seen in the temple.
Mahaganapati is believed to have eight, ten or twelve hands. According to some, the unseen idol has ten
trunks and twenty hands.

Yatra:
Bhadrapada Shukla 4

Utsav:
Not Available

Legend and history:

Shiva is believed to have worshipped Ganesha before fighting the demon Tripuraasura here. The mandap
of the temple was built by Sardar Kibe of Indore Sardar Pawar and Sardar Shinde also contributed to the
construction. Malharrao Holkar and Yashwantrao Chandrachud maintained the temple precincts. The
sanctum was built by Madhavrao Peshwe. About sixteen km from the temple stands the samadhi of Shri
Limbaraj Maharaj.

Siddhivinayaka - Siddhatek
Location: Siddhatek, Ahmednagar District.

Route:
Road: Off the Pune-Solapur Highway. 48 km from Srigonda; 19 km from Daund.
Rail: Alight at Boribyal station on the Pune-Solapur line. The temple stands about Eleven km from this
station, across the river Bhima. Regular State Transport buses ply from the station. One could also alight
at Daund and take a bus.

The Temple and idol:

Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the right. The temple faces the north and has idols of
other gods like Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati.

Yatra:
Bhadrapada Shukla 4 and Magha Shukla 4

Utsav:
Not Available

Legend and history:

Vishnu vanquished the demons Madhu and Kaitab after propitiating Ganesha here. Moraya Gosavi of
Chinchwad is believed to have performed penance here. The sanctum of the temple was built by Ahilyabai
Holkar. It is believed that Haripant Phadke regained his position as army chief after he paid obeisance at
this temple. A dharmashala for travelling pilgrims has been built here.

Route 2 starting from Pune

 If one wants to start Yatra from Pune and could finish it in two days.

Day one

1)Pune-Hadapsar-Saswad-Jejuri-Morgaon

2)Morgaon-Supa-Chauffula-Patas-Daund -Siddhatek

3)Siddhatake-Daund-Patas-Chuffula-Theur

4)Theur-Hadapsar-Pune-Sikrapur-Ranjangaon. Ranjangaon-Shikrapur-Pune.

Day two

1)Pune-Chakan-Khed-Manchar-Narayangaon—Ozar

2)Ozar-Narayangaon-Junner-Lenyadri

3)Lenyadri-Junner-Narayangaon-Manchar-Khed-Chakan-Talegaon-Khopoli-Mahad.

4)Mahad-Mangaon-Kolad-Vakan- Pali. Pali-Khopoli-Lonavala-Pune