Vighnahar Temple, Ozar |
About: |
Vighnahar is one of the sacred forms of Ashtavinayaka situated at Ozar in Junnar Taluka of Pune district. Ozar is hardly at a distance of ten kilometers from Narayangaon, an important town on Pune-Nasik highway and on 85 Km from Nasik via Pune-Narayangaon. The state Transport buses are amply available from Pune, Nasik, Mumbai & Narayangaon. Besides State Transportation facility the private vehicles like jeeps and mini buses are equally available from Narayangaon. Visitors can drive their vehicle quite near to the temple even in rainy days as a bridge has recently been constructed on river Kukadi.The holy temple of Shree Vighneshwar is east facing and well constructed. It is surrounded by a stone wall which is still in good condition. Two stone carved pillars can be seen once entering into the temple from main door at the east. Numerous lights are lit up on the occasion of Tripuri Pournima thus making it a wonderful scene. Two Door Guards are carved in stone at both the sides of the main entrance of the temple. There are two verandas admeasuring 25-30 feet in length and 8 feet in width inside the main entrance of the temple. These verandas have graceful arcs. One of the verandas has a room in the basement and this room is used to store the Handis,Chandeliers and Palanquins of Lord Vighnahar.After entering through the main entrance there are foyers. A 15 feet pathway is built between the foyers and verandas and used by the devotees to make rounds around the Lord Vighnahar. An idol of mouse made up of the smoothened black stone is affixed. This mouse can be seen as in “ready to run” position. The full size statue of Lord Vighnahar is mounted in sitting position at the third foyer under a graceful arc. The arc is beautifully painted. The statue of the Lord Vighnahar is east facing and has a trunk curved at left. Both the eyes carry rubies and a diamond is affixed on the forehead of the statue. The “Shendoor” is applied over an entire statue of Lord Vighnahar which covers the precious stone fixed in the naval of the statue. Arcs at both the sides of statue have the brass statues of “Riddhi” and “Siddhi”. The crown of the Lord Vighnahar is gold plated and hence it glitters beautifully.While encirculating the Lord Vighneshar devotees can see an idol of “Lord Bhairavnath”. It is believed that “Lord Bhairavnath” restricts “Kali” and lets the devotees to perform the rituals with peace. The statue of “Lord Bhairavnath” faces Lord Vighnahar. The “Ganeshotsav” – a birth ceremony of Lord Ganesha is celebrated here on the fourth day of full moon or first fortnight of “Bhadrapada” month every year. The “Ganesh Jayanti” is equally celebrated on the fourth day of full moon or first fortnight of “Magha” month with a week long chanting of “Harinaam”. The oil lit lights on the pillars is a must see sight on the occasion of “Tripuri Pournima” and next four days. A temple of Lord Rama is on the east side of the temple accompanied bythe ‘Peepal” tree and few more trees of holy significance.The place of Lord Vighnahar and the surrounding land and village was awarded to Deo family, a devotee of Lord Ganesha at Chichwad, Pune by the First Bajirao. After defeating Portuguese rulers in Vasai, Chimaji Appa, brother of the First Bajirao installed a golden dome on the temple. In the decade of 1958 to 1968 this temple was rebuilt and made more attractive. |
Location info: |
Address:Ozar Maharashtra,India |
District: Pune |
Nearest City: Pune |
Best time to visit: October to March |
Climate/Weather: |
The temperature of the city ranges between 12 o C to 37 o C. |
History: |
The history encompassing this idol states that Vighnasur, a demon was created by the King of Gods, Indra to destroy the prayer organized by King Abhinandan. However, the demon went a step further and destroyed all vedic, religious acts and to answer the people's prayers for protection, Ganesh defeated him. The story goes on to say that on being conquered, the demon begged and pleaded with Ganesha to show a mercy. Ganesha then granted in his plea, but on the condition that demon should not go to the place where Ganesha worshipping is going on. In return the demon asked a favour that his name should be taken before Ganesha's name, thus the name of Ganesha became Vighnahar or Vighneshwar (Vighna in Sanskrit means a sudden interruption in the ongoing work due to some unforeseen, unwarranted event or cause). The Ganesha here is called Shri Vighneshwar Vinayak. |
Interesting things to do: |
worship:Vigneshwar in connection with his surrender. Legend also has it that the very same sages installed an image of Vigneshwara at Ozar on Ganesh Chaturti and offered worship. |
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: |
Mobile range info: |
How to reach? |
Nearest Railway Station:Pune Railway Station |
Nearest Airport:Pune Airport & Ozar airport |
Road Transport:The state Transport buses are amply available from Pune, Nasik, Mumbai & Narayangaon. |
Nearest Visiting places: |
Raj Dinakar Kelkar Museum: Tribal Museum is Pune showcases the features of tribal life and culture in the state of Maharashtra. The museum located to the east of Pune off Koregaon road is managed and maintained by Tribal Research and training Institute.It displays the artifacts and weapons used by the various tribes in Sahyadri ranges and Gondwana regions, like Marai tribes, Bahiram tribes, Wagdheo tribes and Danteswari tribes. The Museum is enriched with images of deities, musical instruments used by tribes, handicrafts done by tribes, wash paintings and many other items related to tribal life and culture.
Mahatma Phule Museum: National War Museum: Shaniwar Wada: Vishram Bagh Waada: St. Mary's Church: Saras Garden: Aga Khan Palace: Parvati Hill Temples: Chatushrungi Mata Temple: Pashan Lake: Pataleshwar Caves: Bund Garden: Appu Ghar: Dehu: Osho Ashram: Panshet Water Park: Paragliding: Horse Riding: Katraj Snake Park: David Synagogue: Shinde's Chhatri:
|
Nearest Petrol Pump: |
Gurunanak Petrol Pump:Ozar Road, Nashik,Maharashtra |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
Annapurna Hotel:Ozar, Nashik, Maharashtra Hotel Shan-E-Punjab:Panchavati, Nashik,Maharashtra |
Things to carry: |
Tips & Suggestions: |
Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station: |
Nearest Hospital: T M Wagh Shree Hospital:Bazar Peth Agra Road,Ozar,Nashik,Maharashtra HALTownship Hospital:Ozar, Nashik, Maharashtra |
Society/Community Phone Number: |
Link: |