AshtaVinayak4-Shri Mahaganapati - Ranjangaon

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Ranjangaon is 50 Kms. from Pune and buses are available to reach this place. The

temple dates back to 9th century or 10th century. Its sanctum sanctorum was

built by the senior Madhavrao Peshwa in 1768. The temple is east-facing. There

is a basement below the temple where a small idol of Ganesha is installed,

which has 20 hands and 10 trunks. It is said that this is the original idol of

the temple. The legend of the temple goes thus: (Ganesha Purana) Grudsamad was

a devotee of Lord Ganesha. A son was born to him. When he grew up, he wanted to

conquer all the three Lokas. He was told by his father to pray to Lord Gajanan

for the fulfilment of his wish. After intensive Tapas Lord Gajanan was pleased,

and gave him the boon that nobody except Lord Shankara could destroy him. He

also gave three Puras of steel, silver and gold to the prince. He became an

Asura in his later years

known as Tripurasur. Tripurasur conquered all the three Lokas. He and his two

army chiefs started humiliating all gods and human beings. Finally the gods

went to Lord Siva and prayed to him for destruction of Tripurasur. Lord Siva

worshipped Lord Ganesha and finally killed the devil. The place, where Lord

Siva worshipped Lord Ganesha came to be known as Ranjangaon.

 

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