Description
"Vinayaka" is another name of Lord Ganesh, the God loved and worshiped by every Hindu. Lord Ganesh is the protector of his devotees. Eight effigies found among the nature, sculptured by nature have been housed in the temples created ages ago at the places where the effigies were first identified. These ‘Swayambhu’ effigies, now the sacred idols, are the famous "Ashta Vinayak."
Ashtavinayaka literally means “eight Ganeshas” in Sanskrit. Everybody should visit the Ashtavinayak in Maharashtra at least once in a life time. There are eight temples dedicated to Ganesha, in Maharashtra related to various episodes from the puranas and other legends. According to Shastra, first you have to visit Moreshwar of Moregaon. Then visit Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Theur, Lenyandri, Ozar, Ranjangaon and then again Moregaon.
1. Ballaleshwar, Pali
This Ballaleshwar…show more content… Girijatmaj, Lenyadri
Girijatmaj Vinayak refers to the Ganesh as the son of Parvati. This is the only Ashtavinayaka temple that is build on a mountain and is set in a Buddhist cave temple.
It is believed that Parvati (Shiva's wife) performed penance to beget Ganesha at this point. Girija's (Parvati's) Atmaj (son) is Girijatmaj. This temple stands amidst a cave complex of 18 caves of Buddhist origin. This temple is the 8th cave. These are called Ganesh-leni as well. The temple is carved out of a single stone hill, which has 307 steps. The temple features a wide hall with no supporting pillars. The temple hall is 53feet long, 51feet wide and 7feet in height.
The idol faces north with its trunk to the left, and has to be worshipped from the rear of the temple. The temple faces south. This idol seems to be little different from the rest of the Ashtavinayak idols in a sense that it appears to be not very well designed or carved like the other idols. This idol can be worshipped by anyone. There is no electric bulb in the temple. The temple is constructed such that during the day it is always lighted up by the