Mayureshwar, Morgaon
Morgaon, Baramati taluka, Pune
The first and most important of the eight temples, where the yatra begins and ends. Ganesh here rides a peacock.
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The eight Ganesh temples around Pune, with the route and what to know before you go.
Ashtavinayak means the eight Ganeshas. These eight temples of Lord Ganesh around Pune are among the most important places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra. Each idol is believed to be swayambhu, formed by nature and not carved by hand.
Five of the temples are in Pune district (Morgaon, Theur, Lenyadri, Ozar and Ranjangaon), two are in Raigad district (Pali and Mahad), and one is in Ahilyanagar district (Siddhatek).
The traditional order
By tradition the yatra starts at Morgaon and ends with a second visit to Morgaon: Morgaon, Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Theur, Lenyadri, Ozar, Ranjangaon and back to Morgaon. Many people today follow a route that suits the roads, and complete the yatra in two days from Pune.
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Siddhivinayak, Siddhatek
Siddhatek, Karjat taluka, Ahilyanagar
A temple on a small hill by the Bhima river. The only Ashtavinayak idol whose trunk turns to the right.
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Ballaleshwar, Pali
Pali, Sudhagad taluka, Raigad
The only Ashtavinayak named after a devotee, the boy Ballal. A stone temple in Raigad district, below Sarasgad fort.
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Varadvinayak, Mahad
Mahad village, Khalapur taluka, Raigad
A simple temple near Khopoli, where devotees may offer worship to the idol themselves. An oil lamp here is said to have burned for many years.
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Chintamani, Theur
Theur, Haveli taluka, Pune
The Ashtavinayak closest to Pune, much loved by the Peshwas. Madhavrao Peshwa spent his last days here.
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Girijatmaj, Lenyadri
Lenyadri, near Junnar, Pune
The only Ashtavinayak in a cave, high on a hillside of Buddhist caves near Junnar. Reached by a long flight of steps.
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Vighneshwar, Ozar
Ozar, Junnar taluka, Pune
A large temple on the Kukadi river near Junnar, with a gold-topped spire. Ganesh here removes all obstacles.
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Mahaganapati, Ranjangaon
Ranjangaon, Shirur taluka, Pune
The temple where Lord Shiva is said to have prayed to Ganesh before fighting the demon Tripurasur. On the Pune Ahilyanagar highway.
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