ASHTAVINAYAK YATRA - Ganesh Chathurthi - Seek Blessings

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ASHTAVINAYAK YATRA ​

Ashtavinayak or Eight Ganesh jis are located in Maharashtra State, The Ashtavinayaka yatra or pilgrimage covers the eight holy temples of Ganesh ji.​

All the Eight Ashtavinayak Temples are Swayambhu (self-originated) and Jagrut.
Eight (Ashtavinayak) Lord Ganesh are ​

Moreshwar situated at Morgaon, ​

Mahaganpati situated at Ranjangaon, ​

Chintamani situated at Theur,​

Girijatmak situated at Lenyadri,​

Vighneshwar situated at Ojhar,​

Siddhivinayak situated at Siddhatek, ​

Ballaleshwar situated at Pali and ​

Varad Vinayak situated at Mahad.​

All these temples are at Pune, Ahmad Nagar and Raigad district. Of the 8 Ganesh jis, 6 of them in Pune district area and 2 in Raigad district. ​

May we take a pilgrimage tour in the festive season of Lord Ganesh ji and seek his blessing. Bow​

May Baba guide us and bless us always ​

 

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LORD MORESHWAR - MORGAON​

The Mayureshwar or Moreshwar temple is along the Karha river in the Morgaon Village. A temple that looks like a tiny fort from a distance, it is situated in the Baramati Taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra. The idol of Mayureshwar is in the Garbhagraha, the sanctum in which only the head priest is permitted entry. The deity is three eyed, seated, and his trunk is turned towards the left. The eyes and the navel of the deity are studded with precious diamonds. On the head are seen the fangs of Nagaraj. The deity is flanked by brass idols of Siddhi and Buddhi who are considered the consorts of Ganesh. In front of the deity stand a mouse and a peacock.The original idol is actually much smaller than it seems but continuous anointing of the idol with sindoor has resulted in the idol seeming much larger than it actually is. It is believed that this layer of sindoor peels off on its own every 100 or 150 years, revealing the actual idol.​

"Nije Bhuswanandjadbharat Bhumya Paratare
Turiyostire Paramsukhdevta Nivasasi
Mayuraya Nath Stawamasich
Ataswa sandhyaye Shivharini Brahmajanakam"​

Meaning: Oh! Lord Mayureshwar of Morgaon, you stay on sage Jadbharat's land, on the banks of river Karha that is known as 'Bhuswanand' (means happiness on land). Shree Moreshwar, who is far from three qualities, who is Swayambhu, who is without any form, Who resembles Omkar, who is always in fourth state of yoga and who rides on peacock may accept my salutation.​

 

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LORD MAHAGANAPATHI - RANJANGAON​

Mahaganpati: Tripurasur was the son of Sage Gritsamad. One day the sage sneezed and from this was created a young boy who the Sage brought up as his own son. The sage taught the boy the Ganana Twam, Ganesh Mantra. Equipped with this mantra the boy meditated intensely on Lord Ganesh who ultimately blessed him. He was given three pura-s of gold silver and iron. Since he was the owner of these three pura-s he was given the name Tripur. Ganesh also bestowed on Tripur to be the most powerful, who none but Lord Shiva himself could destroy and after being destroyed by Lord Shiva he would attain mukti-salvation.​

This boon made Tripur proud and he brought havoc in the entire world. He conquered the Nether world and then proceeded to takeover Heaven. He defeated Indra the king of heaven. His aggression made Lord Brahma hide in a lotus and Lord Vishnu in the Shirsagar. He soon also took over Lord Shiva's Kailash Parvat and thus became the King of all the three worlds. The gods wondered on how to vanquish Tripurasur. Lord Narada told them that, since he had been granted a boon by Lord Ganesh himself it would be very difficult to vanquish him. He advised them to meditate on Lord Ganesh. Pleased Lord Ganesh decided to help the Gods.​

Disguised as brahmin he visited Tripurasur and told him that he was a very enlightened Brahmin and could make for him three flying planes. Riding these he woud be able to go anywhere he wished within minutes. The planes could only be destroyed by Shiva. In return Lord Ganesh asked him to get him the statue of Chintamani which was at the Kailash Mountain. Lord Shiva refused to give the statue to Tripurasur's messenger. The angry Tripurasur himself went to get the statue. A fierce battle started between him and Lord Shiva. He destroyed everything that belonged to the Lord Shiva who too retired to the Girikandar.

Lord Shiva too realized that he was unable to destroy Tripurasur because he had not paid his respects to Lord Ganesh. He recited the Shadaakshar Mantra to invoke Ganesh. On doing so from his mouth emerged Gajanan to grant Shiva a boon. Shiva continued his invocation of Ganesh who ultimately directed him on how Tripurasur could be killed. Lord Shiva was asked to recite the Sahastranam and then direct an arrow at the three pura-s of Tripurasur. Lord Shiva followed these instructions and finally vanquished Tripurasur.​

Shree Shambhuvarprada Sutapasa Namna Sahastra Swakam
Datwa Shree Vijay Padam Shivkar Tasme Prasanna Prabhu
Ten Sthapit Eva Sadgunavapu Ganapati Kshetre Sadatishtati
Tam Vande Manipurke Ganapati Devam Mahant Mudra​

Meaning: Lord Shivshankar obtained a boon by propitiating Lord Shree Ganesh. Salute Shri Ganesh who stays at Manipur (Ranjangaon), who gave boon to Lord Shiva, whose appearance is beautiful & pleasing & who is statue of good qualities.​

 

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LORD CHINTHAMANI - THEUR
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Chintamani: Abhijeet was a great and powerful king who had everything in life except a son who would be the heir to his throne. The king and his wife at the suggestion of Rishi Vaishyampayane carried great penance and were finally rewarded with son who they named Gana. He later came to be known as Ganaraja.​

The son was bright brave and gifted except he was also very aggressive. Ganaraja was once invited to visit the ashram of Sage Kapil. The sage was a good host and with the help of the Chintamani Ratna [a precious stone] he was able to serve the best of food to Ganaraj. Impressed by the Ratna, Ganaraj wanted it for himself, but when Kapilmuni refused to part with the Ratna, he forcibly took it away from him.​

Goddess Durga who was Kapilmuni's mentor advised him to seek the help of Lord Ganesh.​

Lord Ganesh responded to his call and battled with Ganaraj under a Kadamba tree and managed to get the Ratna back for Kapilmuni. But by then Kapilmuni had lost all desire to possess the Chintamani Ratna and he offered it Lord Ganesh. He tied the Chintamani Ratna around Lord Ganesh's neck and so he came to be known as the Chintamani Vinayak.Since all of this occurred under a Kadamba tree, Theyoor was also known as Kadambanagar.

"Brahma Srushtyadisakta Sthirahittam Pidito Vighnasande
Aakranto Bhutirakya Krutiganrajasa Jeevita Tyaktu Mischina
Swatmanan Sarvayakta Ganapatimamal Satyachintamaniyam
Mukta stapayant sthirmatisukhadam stavare dhudhi Midhe"​

Meaning: The one who is in search of happiness, who is in the midst of all calamities should go to Theur & worship Shree Chintamani & get rid of all (worries) & calamities.​

 

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LORD GIRIJAMAK - LENYADRI
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Girijatmak: Goddess Parvati went through severe penance in the cave at the Lenyadri mountain to become the mother of Lord Ganesh. Pleased by her penance Gajanan blessed her and promised that he would take birth as her son.

On the Chaturthi, fourth day of Bhadrapad Shuddh she created a idol from the dirt wiped from her body. In this idol entered Gajanan. He stood before as her a little boy, who had six arms and three eyes. This boy was called Ganesh, the one who has conquered all the senses.It is believed that Ganesh resided in Lenyadri for fifteen years​

Mayasa Bhuvaneshwari Shivasti Dehashrita Sundary
Vignesham Sutmaptukam Sanhita Kurvetapo Dushkaram
Takhya Bhutprakat Prasanna vardo Tishtataya Sthapitam
Vandeh Girijatmaj parmaj Tam Lekhanadri****am​

Meaning: Mother of universe, Beautiful wife of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati performed severe penance of Shri Ganesh & at last obtained Shree Ganesh as her son. Salute Girija Parvati's son Girijatmaj who stays on mountain Lenyadri .​

 

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LORD VIGNESHWAR - OJHAR​

Vighneshwar: A king called Abhinandan one day decided to become the King of Heaven. To achieve this goal he started a Yagya, a sacrifice. When Indra the King of Heaven heard this he decided to create obstacles in the king's path. He summoned Kalapurush and asked him to destroy King Abhinandan's Yagya. After doing so Kalapurush acquired the name Vighnasura, the creator of obstacles.​

Vighnasura then went on a rampage and destroyed all Vedic practices on earth. The gods realised that they had to destroy this destructive force and they turned to Gajanan for help, who in those days was at the ashram of Sage Parashar.​

Gajanan took birth as the son of Parshwaputra and his wife Deepvatsala. This son then fought valiantly with Vighnasura, who had to except defeat. He abdicated himself to the Lord and asked to be blessed. Ganesh said that he would be let him go, but made him promise that he would never enter any place where Lord Ganesh was being worshipped. Vighnasura accepted this on condition that Lord Ganesh be known by his name. So Lord Ganesh came to be known as Vighneshwar or Vighnaharta.​

Bhaktanugrahe Gajmukho Vigeshwaro Brahamapam
Nana Murti Dharopi Naijamahima Khanda Sadatma Prabhu
Sweccha Vighnahar Sadasukhkar Sidha Kallo Swayepum
Kshetre Chozarke Namostu Satatam Tamse Parabrahamne"​

Meaning: Let my mind be concentrated to the God, who is elephant headed, benignant & remover of obstacle. He has defeated demon Vighnasur. He himself is Brahma. His greatness is undisturbed in his different forms. He is the greatest artist, He gives happiness to his devotees, who stays at Ozar.​

 

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LORD SIDDHIVINAYAK - SIDDHTEK
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Siddhivinayak: The place Siddhtek is believed to be the place where Vishnu ultimately achieved siddhi and thereby killed the demons Madhu and Kaitabha who he had been battling for a thousand years. Long ago Lord Brahma thought of creating Nature and for that he ceaselessly chanted the alphabet "OM". Lord Ganesha was delighted with the penance and gave him the boon that he will fulfill the wish of creating Nature. When God Brahma was creating Nature, Lord Vishnu fell asleep. Demons Madhu and Kaitabh emerged from God Vishnu's ears. They started harassing all the Gods and Goddesses. God Brahma realised that only Vishnu will be able to annihilate these demons. Vishnu tried his very best to kill them but failed. He then stopped the battle and took the form of Gaankushal Gandharva and began singing. Shiva when he heard the celestial notes of the Gandharva summoned him. Vishnu then told Lord Shiva all about his unfinished battle. Shiva said that since he had not sought the blessings of Ganesh his task had remained unfinished. Shiva asked Vishnu to recite the Shadakshar mantra [the Ganeshaya Namah] and said he would achieve what he wanted.​

Vishnu chose the Siddhshetra to complete the ritual of propitiating Ganesh. Ganesh granted him his wish. Vishnu then created a four-door temple on the hillock and installed the statue of Gajanan. Since Vishnu achieved siddhi here Ganesh was called the Siddhivinayak and the place was called Siddhtek or Siddhshetra.​

God Brahma got the energy to create Nature with Lord Ganesha's boon. Lord Ganesha accepted the two daughters of Lord Brahma as his wives.
In time the temple created by Lord Vishnu perished. It is believed that a shepherd saw Lord Ganesh here and started worshipping him. He then found a priest to conduct the worship and ultimately it was during the rule of the Peshwas sometime that this temple was erected. ​

"Sthitho Bhimatire Jagadvan Kamen Harina
Vijetu Daityo Tachuti Malbhavou Kaitabhmadhu
Mahavighnarten Prakhar Tapasa Seitpado
Ganesh Siddhisho Girivarapu Panchjanak"​

Meaning: Lord Shri Hari Vishnu, who was surrounded by fierce calamities, performed penance on mountain Siddhatek which is on the bank of river Bhima. On receiving boon from Lord Shri Ganesh, Lord Vishnu killed two demons Madhu & Kaitabh. Oh! Lord Siddheshwar Shri Ganesh accept my salutation.​

 

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LORD BALLALESHWAR - PALI
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Ballaleshwar: In the Konkan Pallir village now known as Pali there lived a young boy Ballal who was a very sincere devotee of Lord Ganesh. Son of a rich businessman, his pre-occupation with worship at a young age displeased his father. ​

Ballal spent a large part of his time in worship and influenced his friends to do so too. His friends' parents felt that Ballal was misleading their children by showing them the Bhaktimarg [the path of devotion] at such young age. They asked Ballal's father to restrain him. His father went to look for Ballal and found him in the forest engrossed in his worship of Lord Ganesh. He disrupted the puja, threw away the idol of Ganesh and beat his son. Not content with this he also tied him to a tree. He then left Ballal in the forest asserting that let Lord Ganesh himself come and rescue him. Ballal was in great pain but he kept calling upon ​

Lord Ganesh who took the form of a Brahmin and appeared before him. He set Ballal free and then asked him to make a wish. Ballal entreated Lord Ganesh to reside in this region. The God acquiesced and, resided in a stone which is now believed to be the idol of Ballaleshwar Vinayak, that people worship at Pali. The idol that Ballal's father had desecrated too was placed in the temple. The idol of Dhundivinayak nearby is believed to be that idol​

"Vedo Sanstuvaibhavo Gajamukho Bhaktabhimani yo
Ballaleravya Subhaktapal Narat; Khyat Sada Tishtati.
Kshetre Pallipure Yatha Kritayuge Chasmitha Laukike
Bhakterbhavite Murtiman Ganapati Siddhishwar Tam Bhaje"​

Meaning: I worshipped Lord Ganesh, who is elephant headed, who has been praised in the Vedas, who is popular by the name of his devotee (Ballal), who protects his devotees and in this kritayuga who abodes in Pallipur or Pali.​

 

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LORD VRAD VINAYAK - MAHAD​

Varad Vinayak: Rukmangada was the son of King Bheema of Kaudinya. One day Rukmangada went into the forest on a hunt. There he met Mukundaa, whose husband was the Sage Vachaknavi. Mukundaa felt attracted to the young Rukmanganda and expressed her desire for him. Rukmangada was shocked and turned down her proposal. Mukundaa cursed him that he would lose his beauty and turn into a leper. Rukmangada's body changed instantly.​

The dejected Rukmangada worshipped Chintamani Vinayak who blessed him and freed him from the curse. In the mean time Indra came to know of Mukundaa's desire and disguised as Rukmangada ful-filled her desire. Mukundaa gave birth to a son who was called Gritsamav. He grew to be a great scholar. One day he participated in a major debate where great sages like Vasistha, Atri and Vishwasmitra were invited. Atri said that he could not debate with Gritsamav as he was not a true Brahmin. Gritsamav unaware of the flaw in his birth was shocked. He came back to his mother and demanded the truth. On knowing the truth he was stunned and cursed her that she would turn into a thorny Ber tree, and though this tree would bear delicious fruit its thorns will keep people away. Mukundaa in turn said that since he was so harsh in judging her, he would in his life bear the pain of being a parent of a heartless and cruel child.​

Gritsamav moved into the Pushpak forest and started a severe penance. Ganesh heard his prayers and asked him what he wished. Gritsamav asked to be recognized as a Brahmin and he then asked Ganesh to reside in the Puspak forest. Ganesh granted him the two wishes. Gritsamav called Ganesh Varad Vinayak, the one who fulfills all wishes and consecrated him in a temple This temple is now believed to be the temple at Mahad. Gritsamav is known as the creator of the Ganana Twam mantra. A nandadeep has been lit in this Ashtavinayak temple which has been continuously lit since the 1892.​

"Bhaktabhimani Ganaraj Ekam
Kshetre MadhaKhye Vardam Prasanam
Yastishtati Shree Vardo Ganesham
Vinayakasta Pranamami Bhaktam"​

Meaning : I salute lord Ganaraj who is leader of Ganas, who is proud of his devotees & who abodes at Mahad & has pleasant appearance.

Source:Ashtavinayak.com​

 

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May Baba bless all of us always and guide us ​

HAPPY GANESH UTSAV FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS​