Ashtavinayak Temples and Deities

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival 2012

Ashtavinayak literally means eight Ganeshas in sanskrit. Ganesha is the Hindu deity of prosperity and success. This term also refers to a pilgrimage to the eight temples in Maharashtra state of India.

Here is the list of eight Ashtavinayaka temples.

  

Deity Image	Deity Name & Location	Description
	Ballaleshwar, Pali	Ballaleshwar, this temple is the only temple of Ganesh, known by the name of the disciple who is dressed as a Brahmin. The temple is located in the town Pali, near Mumbai-Pune highway, about 11 km before Nagothane on Mumbai-Goa highway.
	Chintamani, Theur	Ganesh as Chintamani is a god who brings peace of mind and drives away all the perplexities of the mind. At this spot Ganesha is believed to have got back the precious Chintamani jewel from the greedy Guna from sage Kapila. Here the idol of Ganesha has a left trunk with carbuncle and diamonds as its eyes.
	Girijatmaj, Lenyadri	Girijatmaj Vinayak refers to the Ganesh as the son of Parvati. Girija is another name for Parvati and Atamaj means son. This is the only Ashtavinayaka temple that is built on a hill and is in a Buddhist cave temple.
	Mahaganapati, Ranjangoan	The Mahaganapati at Ranjangoan is one of the most powerful representations of Lord Ganesh. Here Shiva is believed to have worshiped Ganesha before fighting the demon Tripurasura. The idol of Ganesha is faced here is sitting cross-legged, with a broad forehead, with its trunk pointing to the left.
	Moreshwar, Morgoan	Moreshwar this temple is located along the river in the village Karha Morgaon. This is the most important of all the eight Ashtavinayak temples and has four doors. At this point Ganesha, riding a peacock as Mayureshwara is suspected of slained the demon Sindhu. This idol has its trunk turned to the left and a cobra ready on it to protect it.
	Siddhivinayaka, Siddtek	The Siddhivinayak at Siddtek is considered a powerful deity. It is believed that this is the mountain Siddhtek that Vishnu acquired Siddhi. The temple is located near the Pune-Solapur highway about 48 km from the city of Srigonda in Ahmadnagar district. The temple is located right next to the river Bhima.
	Varad Vinayak, Mahad	Varad Vinayak Ganesh as fulfills all the dreams and desires and grants all favors. A nandadeep was lit in this temple which has been continuously lit since 1982. This temple is located three kilometers from the highway near Pune-Mumbai Khopoli (80 km from Pune) and is therefore closer to the city of Mumbai.
	Vigneshwar, Ozhar	Lord Ganesha is known as Vigneshwara Ozhar or remover of all obstacles he obtained by defeating the demon Vighnasura.