Eight holy shrines of Lord Ganesha

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Eight holy shrines of Lord Ganesha

 

Ganesha devotees consider eight shrines, the Ashta Vinayak, as the

most important. These eight forms of Ganesha are swayambhu, self-

made, and not made by man.

This gives added religious significance for Ganesha worshippers, and

to the faithful, the powers of these icons are limitless.

 

These eight shrines are located in Maharashtra.

 

The most popular is the one at Morgaon, south-east of Pune, where

Ganesha, riding a peacock and taking the form of Mayureshwar or

Moreshwar, is believed to have destroyed the demon, Sindhu.

 

Close to Pune, at Theur, is the image of Ganesha as Chintamani.

Ganesha is believed to have got back the precious Chintamani jewel

form the greedy Guna for Sage Kapila at this spot.

 

At Ranjangaon is the shrine of Ganapati as Mahaganapati. The legend

here refers to Shiva worshipping Ganesha before fighting the demon,

Tripuraasura.

 

At Siddhatek stands Ganesha as Siddivinayak. It was here that Vishnu

was reminded to pray to Ganesha before his fight with the demons,

Madhu and Kaitab. By doing so, he achieved success, or Siddhi. This

icon has a right-turned trunk.

 

At Ojhar is the shrine of Vighnahara or Vighneshwara, a form taken by

Ganesha to destroy a demon named Vighnaasura created by Indira.

 

At Lenyadri nearby is Ganesha in the form of Girijatmak or

Girijatmaja, son of Girija (Parvati). It is believed that Parvati

performed penance here to beget Ganapati as her son.

 

At Pali near the Mumbai -Goa road is the shrine of Ballaleshwar,

where Ganesha saved his devotee, a boy, Ballal, who was beaten up by

villagers for his single-minded worship of Vinayaka.

 

At Mahad, near Khopoli, is the form of Ganesha as Varad Vinayak, the

giver of bounty and success. A lamp, Nandadeep