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 – and these deities are collectively known as Ashta Vinayak. According to Shastra, first you have to visit Moreshwar of Moregaon. Then visit Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Theur, Lenyandri, Ozar, Ranjangaon and then again Moregaon will end you Ashtavinayak Yatra

Each of these temples has its own individual legend and history, as distinct from each other as the murtis in each temple. The form of each murti of Ganesha and His trunk are distinct from one another. Some of these murtis are called Swayambhu effigies, or the self-existent in Sanskrit. This is to indicate that no human created these murtis, they were found completely formed by nature.

List of Ashta Vinayak

Ballaleshwar, Pali

This Ballaleshwar temple is the only temple of Ganesh, famous by the name of his devotee. The temple is located in the toen of Pali, off the 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 & drives away all the perplexities of the mind. 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.This is the only Ashtavinayaka temple that is build on a mountain and is set 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 worshipped Ganesha before fighting the demon Tripurasura. The Ganesha idol here faces the east, is seated cross-legged with a broad forehead, with its trunk pointing to the left.

Moreshwar, Morgoan

This Moreshwar temple is situated along the Karha River in the Morgaon village. It is the most important of all the eight Ashtavinayak temples and has four gates.
This idol has its trunk turned to the left and a cobra poised over it to protect it.

Siddhivinayaka, Siddtek

It is believed that it was here on the Siddhtek Mountain, that Vishnu acquired Siddhi. The temple is situated off the Pune-Solapur highway about 48 km from the town of Srigonda in Ahmadnagar district. The temple is located just next to Bhima River.

Varad Vinayak, Mahad

Ganesh as Varad Vinayak fulfills all the dreams and desires plus grants all the boons.
This temple is located three kilometers off the Pune-Mumbai highway near Khopoli (80 km from Pune) and is thus closest to Mumbai city.

Vigneshwar, Ozhar

Lord Ganesha at Ozhar is known as Vigneshwara or the remover of all obstacles which he achieved by vanquishing the demon Vighnasura.

Location: From-To Distance Route via

• Pune-Theur: 25 km (Pune-Hadapsar-Loni-Theur)
• Theur-Moregaon: 70 km (Loni-Yavat-Supa-Moregaon)
• Moregaon-Siddhatek:  65 km( Supa-Choufula-Patas-Daund-Siddhtek)
• Siddhatek-Rajangaon: 92 km (Daund-Kashti-Belvandi-Shirur-Rajangaon)
• Rajangaon-Ozar: 100 km (Shikrapur-Chakan-Rajgurunagar-Narayangaon-Ozar)
• Ozar-Lenyandri: 15 km (Ottur-Lenyandri)
• Lenyandri-Mahad: 134 km (Junnar-Narayangaon-Manchar-Rajgurunagar-Chakan-Wadgaon-Lonvala-Khopoli-Mahad)
• Mahad-Pali: 42 km (Khopoli-Pali)
• Pali-Pune: 111 km (Khopoli-Lonavla-Wadgaon-Pune)

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