The Mahaganapati Temple: Popular Tourist Attraction In Maharashtra

Mahaganapati Temple, Ranjangaon

About:

Ranjangaon is a village located at a distance of about 50 km from Pune, enroute to Aurangabad in Maharashtra, and it houses a shrine to Mahaganapati. Ranjangaoncha Mahaganapati is considered to be one of the Ashta Vinayak shrines of Maharashtra, celebrating eight instances of legends related to Ganesha. ashta_vinayak.jpg (76797 bytes)

Legend has it that a demon by name Tripurasura built three powerful citadels (the evil Tripuram forts); with a boon of invincibility granted to him by Shiva he caused suffering to all beings in the heavens and on earth. Upon hearing the fervent appeals of the Gods, Shiva intervened, and realized that he could not defeat the demon. It was upon hearing Narada Muni's advice that Shiva saluted Ganesha and then shot a single arrow that pierced through the citadels, bringing an end to the demon.

Shiva, the slayer of the Tripura citadels is enshrined at Bhimashankaram nearby. A variation of this legend is commonly known in South India. Ganesha is said to have caused the axle in Shiva's chariot to break, as the latter headed to battle the demon without saluting Ganesha before he set out. Upon realizing his act of omission, Shiva saluted his son Ganesha, and then proceded victoriously to a short battle against the powerful demon. (See Acharapakkam - an ancient temple in Tamilnadu glorified by the 1st millennium tamil hymns enshrining Shiva associated with this legend, as well as Tiruvirkolam and Tiruvatikai - both over 1200 years old, associated with the legend of Tripurasamhaaram).

Location info:

Address:Ranjangaon Maharashtra,India

District: Pune

Nearest City: Pune

Best time to visit: November to January

Climate/Weather:

Summers:38°C to 20°C.,Wwinters:6°C

History:

According to the history the temple was build in between 9th & 10th century. Madhavrao Peshwa made a room in the basement of the temple to keep the idol of the lord Ganesh. Later on Sardar Kibe of Indore renovated it. Nagarkhana is situated above the entrance gate. Main temple looks like temple from Peshwa's period. Temple facing east has huge & beautiful entrance gate.

Interesting things to do:

Shiva is believed to have worshipped Ganesha before fighting the demon Tripurasura here. The temple was built by Shiva where he worshipped Ganesha, and the town he set up was called Manipur which is now known as Ranjangaon.

Temple trust has made good arrangement s for keeping the footwear. There are lots of shops on the way where you can buy the things like flowers, coconut etc. While talking to shop keeper, I came to know that there is custom of offering Jaggery to Ganesh ido here in Ranjangon which I found something strange.

Interesting things to Visit:

Moreshwar:
Located Sixty-eight km from Pune (Morgaon, Pune District).The temple faces the north. Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with a serpent above the head. The temple has eight Ganesha idols in eight corners. These are Ekadanta, Mahodara, Gajanana, Lambodara, Vikata, Nataraja, Dhumravarna, Vakratunda. The God here is worshipped three times every day: at 7 am, noon and at 8 pm.The God's palkhi travels from Chinchwad during Magha Shukla chathurti and Bhadrapada Shukla chathurti.Ganesha, riding a peacock, in the form of Mayureshwara is believed to have slain the demon Sindhu at this spot.

Ballaleshwar:
Located at Pali, Kulaba District about 110 kms from Pune.The temple faces the east. Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the right. Every morning the sun rays falls directly over Idol is main attraction.Ganesha is believed to have saved his boy-devotee, Ballala, who was beaten by villagers for his single-minded devotion to the Lord.

Varadavinayaka:
Located at Mahad (Raigad District) about 84 kms from Pune.Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the left.The nandadeep here is kept burning continuously and is said to be shining since 1892.The idol was found in the adjoining lake of the temple is main attraction.

Chintamani:
Located at Theur(Pune District) 22 kms from Pune.The temple faces the north. Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the left.Ganesha is believed to have got back the precious Chinatamani jewel from the greedy Guna for sage Kapila at this spot.This was the favourite temple of Shrimant Madhavarao Peshwe. He stayed here during his last illness and breathed his last near the temple and his wife Ramabai performed sati close by.

Girijatmaka:
Located at Lenyadri(Pune District) about 90 kms from Pune.The temple is on a hill, which has 283 steps. The hill is full of caves. The idol faces north and this particular idol has to be worshipped form the rear of the temple.It is believed that Parvati performed penance to beget Ganesha at this point.

Shri Vighnahar:
Located at Ozhar( JunnarDistrict Pune).Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the left. Temple faces East and has several idols. There is a beautiful deepamala in the temple.It is believed that Chimaji Appa, the younger brother of Bajirao Peshwa had a golden kalasa fitted on the temple tower as thanksgiving for his victory over the Portuguese at Vasai. But records show that the temple was built only in 1785. It has been hence reconstructed.

Siddhivinayaka:
Located at Siddhatek(Ahmednagar District) about 19 km from Daund.Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the right. The temple situated next to Bhima river,faces the north and has idols of other gods like Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati.Vishnu vanquished the demons Madhu and Kaitab after propitiating Ganesha here. A dharmashala for travelling pilgrims has been built here.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:Uruli railway station on the Pune-Solapur line

Nearest Airport:Pune airport

Road Transport:Pune-Ahmednagar highway. Maharashtra,India

Nearest Visiting places:

Bhimashankar:
It is a picturesque spot around 95 kilometres from Pune with deep forests, temples, rivers and other attractions. The place is most famous for the temple of Lord Shiva, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. It is also the source of the river Bhim. Bhimashankar is a must-visit for those interested in trekking, nature watching and bird watching.

Jejuri:
Generally known as Khandobachi Jejuri, Jejuri is a famous Mararashtran temple. It is dedicated to Mhalsakant or Malhari Martand, worshipped by the Dhangars, one of the oldest tribes of Maharashtra. The temple is situated on a hill and can be reached after braving 200 odd steps. Jejuri is around 40 kilometres south-east of Pune, towards Phaltan.

Raigad:
It is the place where Shivaji was crowned in 1648 and died in 1680. The fort on an isolated hilltop gives a breathtaking view of the Western Ghats. It is a steep climb to the hilltop, but well worth the effort. Raigad is at a distance of about 126 kms from Pune.

Sinhagad:
The Lion Fort or Sinhagad which is around 25 kms south-west of Pune is atop a steep hill. Almost ruined now, it has an interesting history. In the year 1670, Tanaji Malusre, a general of Shivaji, scaled the steep hill in the dark with his troops and defeated the forces of Bijapur. Legend has it that the Maratha forces used trained lizards for carrying the ropes up the hill. It is here that Mahatma Gandhi met another stalwart of the Indian freedom struggle, Bal Gangadhar Tilak for the first time, in 1915.

Parvati Hill temples:
It is a splendid temple built by Balaji Baji Rao and occupies a significant place for the pilgrim tourists. You have to climb 108 steep and narrow steps in order to reach the hill top temple. Formerly it was the private shrine of the Peshwas. It also houses Parvati museum featuring portraits of Peshwas, ancient manuscripts and coins. From the top of the temple you can get the awe-inspiring views of the town.

Bund Garden:
This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pune and is also known as Mahatma Gandhi Udhayan. It is located on the right bank of the Mula-Mutha Rivers and was built by Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy to provide the poor with water during hot months of the summers. The adventure enthusiasts can indulge here in boat rides and horse rides.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

petrolpump:Shikrapur ,Maharashtra,india

Reliance Petrol Pum:Shikrapur ,Maharashtra,india

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Blue Diamond:Rail Road pune maharashatra,india

Le Meridien:Pune maharashatra,india

Things to carry:

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:

Nearest Hospital:
Balaji Hospital:Balaji Hospital Chandan Nagar, Pune,Maharashtra
Unicorn Hospital:Kalyani Nagar, Pune

Society/Community Phone Number

Link:

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The Mahaganapati Temple,Ranjangaon

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