Travel Guide to Famous Temples

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Panch Prayag – Five Sacred Confluences in Uttarakhand

June 28, 2022, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Panch Prayag

Panch Prayag is a manifestation in the spirit of the Hindu religion. The expression is used to signify the five holy river confluences in the Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.

The word ‘Prayag’ breaks down to the confluence of two or more rivers. Moreover, Panch Prayag goes by the name ‘Panch Pentad’ in Sanskrit. Nevertheless, five confluences in the descending order of their existence are Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag.

Holy Pathways of Panch Prayag

Alaknanda originates from the triangular lake called Satopanth. It is present 4402 metres above sea level. Moreover, Satopanth gets its name from Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Bhagirath Kharak Glaciers lying near Nanda Devi peak in Uttarakhand.

Holy trail of Panch Prayag — Satopanth is the origin of the Holy Alaknanda river.

In the course of 229 km from its origin Alaknanda crosses all the five Prayags. Moreover, it finally unifies with Bhagirathi and gives rise to the Holy Ganges or Ganga. Nevertheless, it continues to flow down further to Rishikesh and Haridwar that share the banks of Ganges in Uttarakhand.

Each Sangam or confluence has developed religious towns near them due to the inflow of pilgrims visiting Panch Kedar and Sapta Badri temples. Also, devotees take bath at these holy Sangam while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.

The town names inspired by these confluences are titled as Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag. However, Vishnuprayag does not have a town at its bank yet it is 12 km from Joshimath.

The Essence of the Five Prayags

According to Hindus, Prayag is the sacred Sangam of rivers where devotees take a dip before worship. Also, people arrive at these sacred sangams to perform the last rites for the dead. Moreover, the devotees worship holy confluences as God’s manifestation on Earth.

Essence of Panch Prayag — Dip in the holy waters of Prayag is believed to wash away ones sins.

However, the Prayag at Allahabad is considered to be the holiest. Nevertheless, the Panch Prayag of Uttarakhand is just next to them. Apart from numerous tales from the Puranas, these Prayags are home to the amazing scenic beauty.

Moreover, the religious texts state that Panch Prayag in Uttarakhand is the Svargarohana route that the Pandavas took to reach heaven.

How to get to these confluences?

Rishikesh is the point of start for your Panch Prayag journey. It is near to Haridwar that has train connectivity to all the major cities of India. Moreover, Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is at a distance of 18 km from Rishikesh.

Besides these, one can take a road trip to Rishikesh from different parts of the country. However, one can hire private taxis to Rishikesh as per their convenience.

From Rishikesh, the distance of the five Prayags are –

Name of the Prayag	Distance from Rishikesh
Vishnuprayag	263 km
Nandaprayag	193 km
Karnyaprayag	173 km
Rudraprayag	141 km
Devprayag	74 km

Portrayal of Panch Prayag

Vishnuprayag– After Alaknanda descends from Satopanth, Dhauliganga merges into it at this Sangam. Moreover, Ahlayabai, the queen of Indore constructed a Vishnu temple at this Prayag.
Nandaprayag– Here, Alaknanda meets Nandakini river and the two rivers unify. However, this confluence gets its name from King Nanda who performed yagna at this place in pursuit of a son.
Karnaprayag– This is the confluence of river Alaknanda and Pindar. Beliefs say that Krishna cremated Karna at this place only. Hence, there is a Karna temple by the banks of the confluence.
Rudraprayag– At this place, Mandakini river joins Alaknanda in its flow. Moreover, traditional tales suggest that Shiva appeared in its Rudra avatar at this place in front of Sage Narada. Hence, the place has Shiva temples in abundance.
Devprayag– This confluence gives birth to the mainstream Ganges as Alaknanda and Bhagirathi unify. Devprayag means ‘Godly confluence‘. Moreover, the inspiration of the confluence’s name is taken from sage Dev Sharma from Satyug, who got blessings from Lord Vishnu. Lord Ram also meditated here so it has many Ram temples too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Panch Prayag

Where is the Panch Prayag located?

Panch Prayag is present in the ‘God’s Land’ i.e. Uttarakhand.

Which river meets Alaknanda at Karna Prayag?

Pindar meets Alaknanda at Karna Prayag.

How many Prayags are there in Uttarakhand?

As the name, Panch Prayag suggests there are five Prayag in Uttarakhand.

When should one visit these Prayags?

The best time to visit these Prayags is from March to October.

Hemis Monastery Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

July 7, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Jammu and Kashmir Temples Tagged With: Buddha Temples

Hemis Monastery is a Himalayan Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage. The monastery was re-established by the Ladakhi King Sengge Namgya, in 1672. The monastery is situated 45 km from Leh City, Hemis. It is present on a mountain on the west bank of the River Indus.

Hemis monastery attracts numerous tourists each year because of its beautiful architecture. It is the biggest and most important Monastery in Leh, Ladakh. This is one of the wealthiest gompas in India. It is famous for its rich collection of ancient remnants like the copper statue of Buddha, gold and silver stupas, sacred Thangkas, murals, and various artifacts.

What is the history of Hemis Monastery?

Hemis Monastery existed before the 11th century.
In 1630 the monastery was founded by the first incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso.
It was constructed in 1672 AD under the reign of King Singge Namgyal.

What is the Hemis festival?

The Hemis Festival is dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava. It is believed that he was born on the 10th day of the fifth month of the Monkey year as predicted by the Buddha Shakyamuni. It is also believed that his life mission is to improve the spiritual condition of all living beings. This day comes once in 12 years. It is believed that these sacred rituals give spiritual strength and good health. This festival attracts hundreds of tourists from around the world.

How to reach Hemis Monastery?

Air: There is no direct flight connectivity to Hemis. The nearest airport is in Leh. It is around 42 away from Hemis. One can drive from Leh to Hemis.
Train: There are no direct trains to Hemis. The nearest railway station is Katra railway station. It is 227 km away from Hemis.
Road: Hemis is connected to all major cities via road.

What is the best time to visit Hemis Monastery?

June: This is the best time to visit is during the Hemis festival that takes place in June. It is the summer season during this time. The summer starts in June and ends in September.
November to May: This is the is the worst season to visit the monastery. The route to the monastery becomes more difficult to cross in the winter season.

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

July 6, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 11 Comments Filed Under: Delhi Temples Tagged With: Other Temples

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon is a major Hindu pilgrimage. Lots of pilgrims come here every day to offer prayer and seek blessings from the Goddess. This temple is located in Gurgaon, Haryana. Sheetala Devi is a Goddess which is being worshipped by people of different parts. People from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, North India, West Bengal worship her. She is better known as pox-goddess. She is also known as Goddess of ghouls, sores, pustules and various other diseases.

This temple is situated near a pond at Gurgaon village. Sheetala Devi Mandir is located in the suburb of Guru Dronacharya’s birth place in the state of Haryana. There is a large crowd of devotees throughout the year except during the month Shravana (July-August). During the month of Chaitra (March-April), this place looks like another Kumbh-Mela. There is a large crowd of pilgrims on Mondays of this month.

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon History

There are many stories behind this Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon. One such story is that Goddess Durga has incarnated as little Katyayani. Katyayani was the daughter of the sage who all these demons who were destroying the earth with their evil and wicked power. Sheetala Devi in her real form as Goddess Durga killed the demons that were sent by Kaalkeya.
The demon of fever, Jwarasur, started spreading an incurable disease to all the childhood friends of Katyayani. He spread diseases like cholera, dysentery, measles, smallpox etc. It was Katyayani who cured some of her friends but to relieve the world from all sorts of fever and disease, she took the form of Goddess Sheetala.
Each of her four hand had something or the other to protect the world from fever and destroy the demon. Her hands held a short broom, winnowing fan, jar of cooling water and a cup. With her power, Sheetala Devi cured all the diseased children.
After all the children were cured, Katyayani asked her friend Batuk to go out and face the demon of fever, Jwarasur. The battle happened between the young Batuk and Jwarasur, resulting the death of young Batuk. Batuk, lying on the ground, started disappearing and magically faded into dust.
On seeing Batuk disappeared, Jwarasur became shocked and started wondering where he went. Little did Jwarasur know, Batuk assumed the form of an aweful male figure. This person had three eyes, four arms and a garland of skulls. He had axe, sword, Trishool and demon head. He was black in color. His eyes were blazing with fury, and his hair flowing. He was wearing tiger skin. Batuk took the ferocious form of Lord Shiva, Bhairav.
Bhairav informs the demon of fever that he is the servant of Goddess Durga. They had a long discussion which later converted into battle. During the battle, Jwarasur created many demons but Lord Shiva managed to kill everyone. At the end, Bhairav started wrestling with Jwarasur and end up killing him with his Trident.

Significance of Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon

Sheetala is a sanskrit term which means ‘one who cools’. This Goddess have the various name and is worshipped by these different names in the subcontinent.
Hindus, Buddhists and people from tribal communities worship Goddess Sheetala. Goddess Sheetala is often referred to as Maa by her devotees.
Goddess Sheetala has been clearly mentioned in Tantric and Puranic literature. Her appearence in the vernacular text has strengthened her status.
Goddess Sheetala is majorly famous in North India. In many places, she is often identified as one of the forms of Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva.
Shitala is known as the seasonal goddess and with honorific titles such as Thakurani, Jagrani, Karunamayi, Mangala, Bhagavati, Dayamayi. In South India, Goddess Sheetala’s role is taken by the Goddess Mariamman, who is worshipped by Dravidian-speaking people.

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon Timings

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon is open for darshan from 6 am to 8 pm.

The Puja of Sheetla Temple is conducted by both, Brahmins and low caste Pujaris. Goddess Sheetla is mainly worshipped in the dry seasons of winter and spring. There are many arti sangrah and stuties for the puja of Goddess Shitala. These arti sangrah and stuties include shri shitla mata chalisa, Shitala Maa ki Arti, Shri Shitala mata ashtak, etc.

Festivals celebrated in Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon

Sheetala Ashtami– this festival is very much popular among Hindu and is dedicated to Goddess Sheetala. This festival is also known as Basoda Puja. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the Krishna during the Hindu month of ‘Chaitra’. It corresponds to the month of mid-March to April in the Gregorian calendar. Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated Holi, generally after eight days. But in some communities, it is celebratedon the first Thursday or Monday that comes after Holi. Also in some districts, Sheetala Ashtami is observed on the ‘ashtami’ of the Krishna Paksha, every month, but of all these, the Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ashtami is considered most propitious.

The celebrations of Sheetala Ashtami are very famous in the north Indian states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. In the Indian state of Rajasthan, the Sheetala Ashtami festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. A huge fair is organized for this occasion and several musical events and programmes are also staged. Devotees celebrate this festival with immense joy and devotion. It is believed that by keeping the vrat on this chosen day, they will be prevented from several deadly diseases. On the day of Sheetala Ashtami according to the traditions, the families do not lit the fire for the purpose of cooking. They, therefore, prepare food a day in advance and consume the stale food on an actual day. It is only in Sheetala Ashtami that there is the unique custom of offering stale food to Goddess Sheetala.

Devotees get up early, before sunrise and take a bath. They visit the Sheetala Devi temple and worship the Goddess with ‘haldi’ and ‘bajra’. After performing the puja rituals they listen to the ‘Basoda Vrat Katha’. ‘Rabri’, ‘curd’ and other essential offerings are then made to Goddess Sheetala. People also take blessings from their elders. After offering the prepared food to the Goddess, rest of the food is eaten all day long as Prasad and is known as ‘Basoda’ in the local language. The food is also distributed among other devotees and also given to the poor and needy people. On this day reading ‘Sheetalashtak’ is also considered favourable.

How to Reach Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon : Road, Rail, and Air

By Air: The nearest airport to Sheetala Mata Mandir Gurgaon is Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.
By Road: The state transport buses connect Gurgaon to neighboring cities within the state and in neighboring states.
By Rail: Nearest big Railway Stations are New Delhi Railway Station & Nizamudin Railway Station.

Where to stay in Gurgaon?

There are various places where one can live. There are various hotels and private organizations which provide dwelling places for the tourists. There are many hotels who provide proper hygiene, clean food, and wifi for they customers. These hotels are built keeping the needs and budget in mind. These hotels have a clean and hygienic environment. Tourists are treated very well by the hotel staffs as well.

These hotels and private organizations donot charge high keeping the budget and the needs of the customers. They provide a very pleasant environment and stay for the tourist. They provide clean and healthy home-made food for the tourist. Nowadays, all the hotels provide tourists with wifi facility so that they can enjoy their stay more and remain connected to the whole world.

Where to eat?

The Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon Temple provides food to its devotees. They are free of cost and all the expenses incurred are borne by the Trustees. Once the daily Puja is over, devotees are allowed to move for food. These food are made in a very hygienic condition maintaining the dignity of the Temple. The food includes three main courses and is given in plenty. All the expenses incurred are borne by the temple trust.

Apart from the prasad provided in the temple, one can also have food from hotels outside the campus. These hotels provide clean and hygienic food. There are various other places to eat food. There are many hotels and cafe which provide food keeping the taste and needs of the devotees. They cost very nominal keeping the needs and budget of the tourists.

Places to visit nearby

Sitaram Mandir– A partly-in-ruins temple in Gurgaon, Sitaram Mandir, as the name suggests is dedicated to Lord Ram and his consort, Sita. Located in Farrukhnagar area of the place, this temple is one of the places of worship for the Hindus. One of the most distinct aspects of the temple is its architectural style. The temple is a three-dome structure and resembles a mosque. Another unique fact is that though Sitaram Mandir is a temple that looks like a mosque, it also serves the function of a gurudwara. Farrukhnagar is near Savera Group of Institutions and can be reached by hiring a cab or an auto-rickshaw.

Har Ki Pauri

September 23, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples

Har ki pauri is a religious bathing ghat in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Literally translating to ‘Steps of Shiva’, it is on the banks of Ganga, at the point where it leaves mountains and enters the plains. A dip in the Ganges at Har ki pauri absolves one of his/her sins.

This place also observes festivities during the Kumbh Mela and the ardh-Kumbh Mela and is included among the Char Dham Yatra destinations in northern India.

What is the history of Har ki pauri?

According to history, king Vikramaditya built Har ki Pauri in the 1st century BC for his brother Bharthari because he used to worship at this spot on the bank of river Ganga. Later, Hargyan Singh Katara, a Zamindar from Agra in Uttar Pradesh extended the ghats in 1938.

Many temples are present on the steps of Har ki pauri since the nineteenth century. However, many people believe that the city of Haridwar exists since pre-historic times, and is an important stop while taking a tour of the holy shrines of the Char Dham Yatra destinations within Uttarakhand.

One of the most pious spots of the place is Brahmakund. Devotees believe that after the samudra-manthan, and the argument between the devas and the asuras, the amrit was carried by Garuda in a vessel. During his flight, a few drops of the amrit fell down at the spot where the Brahmakund is now present.

What is the significance of Har ki pauri?

The significance of Har ki pauri is that it is a landmark of Haridwar, which is one of the most religiously significant cities in India. Devotees believe that Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu visited the Brahmakund in Har ki pauri in the Vedic period.

Hence, it is a very sacred place for Shaivites, i.e., the followers of Lord Shiva. It is also the place where the famous ‘Kumbh mela’ takes place every twelve years and the ‘ardha-kumbh mela’ takes place every six years on the banks of river Ganga.

What are the timings of Har ki pauri?

Here are the timings of Har ki Pauri in Haridwar:

Timings	From	To
Morning Aarti	5:45 AM	6:15 AM
Evening Aarti	6 PM	6:30 PM
Evening Aarti (Winters)	5 PM	5:30 PM

What are the festivals celebrated here?

Some of the celebrations that take place at Har ki pauri are:

Kumbh mela: The Kumbh mela takes place after every twleve years in Haridwar, during which devotees from across the country take a holy dip in the river Ganga. The exact date is determined according to Hindu astrology.
Ardh-kumbh mela: The ardh-kumbh mela takes place after every six years in Haridwar.
Ganga aarti: The Ganga aarti takes place every evening at Har ki pauri. Pilgrims gather on both the banks of river Ganga to chant hymns and pray to the mighty river. During the aarti, the gongs in the temples start ringing and priests hold large fire bowls in their hands. Devotees also float diyas on the river which symbolise their hope and devotion. A similar ritual takes place at the Gangotri Temple, which is also a part of the Char Dham Yatra.

How to reach Har ki Pauri?

Here’s how to reach Haridwar:

Air: The Airport in Dehradun is around 45 km away. The nearest International Airport is in New Delhi.
Train: Haridwar is well connected by Rail and the Station is about 1.2 km away from Har-Ki-pauri.
Road: There is direct state transport bus between New Delhi and Haridwar.

Where to stay in Haridwar?

Some of the places where one can stay in Haridwar are:

Govind bhawan Dharamshala: Present right at the heart of the city, it has access to almost all places in Haridwar. According to reviews, the rooms are clean and spacious. The staff here is also very cooperative.
Hotel Teerth: This hotel is present right on the banks of river Ganga and is very close to Har ki pauri. It would be a favourable place for you if you want to enjoy a splendid view of Ganga.
Ganga Lahiri: It is a hotel that provides pick-up from the railway station by cycle rickshaw. It also provides a peaceful and aesthetically appeasing interior along with a great view of Ganga.

What are some temples nearby?

Some of the temples near Har ki Pauri are:

Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar: Mansa Devi Temple is a Hindu temple for goddess Mansa, on top of Bilwa Parvat in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Also popular as ‘Bilwa Tirth’, this temple is among the panch tirth within Haridwar. ‘Mansa’ means ‘wish’ and it is a popular belief among the devotees that the goddess fulfills their wishes.
Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar: Chandi Devi Temple present atop the neel parvat in Haridwar, Uttarakhand is in the honour of Goddess Chandi. The temple is one of the panch teerth present in Haridwar. The presiding deity, Chandi or Chandika is a form of Goddess Parvati and exists in close association with Mansa devi. It is among the Char Dham Yatra destinations of Uttarakhand.
Neeleshwar Temple, Haridwar: This temple is present on the foot of neel parvat, near the Kushavarta Ghat and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. A stream of Ganga flows near the temple, popular as ‘Neeldhara’, in which devotees take a dip before visiting the temple. This temple is about 500 metres away.
Maya Devi Temple: Along with Narayan-Shila and Bhairav temple, the Maya Devi Temple is among the three ancient temples of Haridwar that are still intact. Its deities include Goddesses Maya, Goddess Kali and Kamakhya.

Mahad Ganpati Temple Ashtavinayak Guide-Timings, Poojas and Significance

August 19, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 1 Comment Filed Under: Maharashtra Temples Tagged With: Ashtavinayak Temples, Ganesha Temples

Mahad Ganpati Varad Vinayak Temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Ganesh and is one of the Eight Ashtavinayak Temples of Pune in Maharashtra. The temple is in Mahad village, Raigad district. Subhedar Ramji Mahadev Biwalkwar built the Mahad Ganpati Temple in the year 1725.

Planning to visit this temple? Have a look at our Ashtavinayak Yatra Tour Packages.

Mahad Ganpati Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Ganesh
Location	Mahad, Maharashtra
Significance	Part of Ashtavinayak Temples
Best Time to Visit	July – November
Darshan Timings	5:30 AM to 09:00 PM
Entry Fees	Free
Vehicle Parking Fees	Free parking space available
Photography	Not Allowed
Dress Code	Traditional
Festivals	Badrapat Sudh, Magh Sudh, and Ganesh Jayanti

Mahad Ganpati Temple tour in a short video

Devotees who pay a fee of INR 31,000 have an opportunity to worship the Lord for the entire day. Moreover, no priests or officials will interrupt the devotee during his prayers.

Timings and puja of Mahad Ganpati Temple

Devotees lining up for Puja and Rituals at Mahad Ganpati Temple

Timings	From
Darshan Starting Time	5.30 AM
Temple Closing Time	9 PM
Panchamrit puja	8 AM
Sahastravartan Puja
Ekadashan

Mahad Ganpati Temple performs rituals on behalf of devotees. The priest offers Holy ash and Prasad to devotees who do the rituals.

What is the significance of Mahad Ganpati Temple?

The significance of the Mahad Ganpati temple is that the Varad Vinayak idol is self-manifested. The Lord’s idol was found immersed in a lake in the year 1690 by a Ganesh devotee named Paundkar. Devotees can come into the sanctum sanctorum and directly worship the Lord at Mahad Ganpati Temple.

The Varad Vinayak idol at Mahad Ganpati Temple faces east and the trunk is turns left.
Lord Varad Vinayak at Mahad Ganpati Temple is accompanied by consorts Riddhi and Siddhi
The sanctum sanctorum had a Nandadeep or a perpetual oil lamp, which is believed to burning continuously since 1892
Further, Mahad is a scenic village and offers an excellent ambiance for people who wish to meditate
Gagangiri Maharaj, a spiritual leader did penance on the water of a nearby dam
According to beliefs, Gritsamada created the Ganana Twam. The mantra is a very powerful chant when praying to Lord Ganesh.

The idol at the Varad Vinayak Mahad Ganpati Temple is Swyambhu and the temple is actually recognised as a Math.

Idol of Lord Ganesh at Mahad Ganpati Temple — The divine idol of Lord Ganesh that can be seen inside the sanctum of Mahad Ganpati Temple.

Legends and History of Mahad Ganpati Temple?

The history attached with Mahad Ganapati temple relates to the following legend:

Legend of Varad Vinayak: During his hunting trip, Prince Rukmaganda of Koudinyapur stopped at Rishi Vachaknavi’s hermitage. The Rishi’s wife Mukunda admired the handsome prince and tried to seduce him, but the righteous Prince refused. But, Lord Indra saw the plight of the lovesick Mukunda.

Therefore, he impersonated Prince Rukmaganda and fulfilled her desire. Mukunda soon gave birth to a son Gritsamada, who grew up to be a great scholar. Gritsamada was once invited to debate along with great Rishis. One of the Rishis refused to debate with Gritsamada as he was not a true Brahmin.

A surprised Gritsamada questioned his mother and learned about his birth. In a fit of anger, he cursed that she will turn into a thorny plant. Mukunda, in turn, cursed Gritsamada that he will have a demon child. When the two were cursing each other, a celestial voice said that Gritsamada was Lord Indra’s son.

A repenting Gritsamada retreated to Pushpak forest and performed penance to Lord Ganesh. Pleased with his prayers and devotion, Lord Ganesh appeared before him and granted him a boon. Gritsamada requested that he be recognized as a Brahmin and also that Lord Ganesh stay in this forest and bless the people.

Hence, Lord Ganesh granted his two wishes and stayed in the forest. So, Gritsamada called Lord Ganesh as Varad Vinayak or the Lord who grants wishes.

Scenically located this temple is adjacent to a beautiful pond and it is believed that the idol of the Lord was found immersed in the nearby lake.

The architecture of Mahad Ganpati Temple –

The temple is in all respects basically planned with a tiled rooftop. It has an arch 25 feet high with brilliant apex and a brilliant summit (Kalas) which has a beautifully carved cobra. The Temple is 8 feet long and 8 feet wide.

The first icon of Varad Vinayak can be seen outside the sanctum. Since the symbol was in a severely endured condition, the temple trustees inundated that icon and blessed another icon in that place. Be that as it may, such a choice of trustees was protested by few individuals and a suit was documented in the district court.

Presently two icons, one inside the sanctum and one outside the sanctum can be seen. The sanctum made up of stone and encompassed by flawlessly cut stone elephant carvings, houses the symbol.

A Gomukh is seen on the north side of the temple from which streams the heavenly water. A blessed lake is located on the west side of the temple. This temple additionally has the symbol of Mushika, Navagraha Devtas, and Shivalinga.

It is also believed that the person who receives a coconut as Prasadam during Maghi Chathurthi is blessed with a son.

Which festivals are celebrated at Mahad Ganpati Temple?

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival — The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi at Marad Ganpati Temple

Some of the festivals celebrated at Mahad Ganapati Temple are:

Bhadrapath: Lord Ganesh’s birth celebrations known as Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayak Chaturthi is a key festival in the state of Maharashtra. In Mahad, Lord Varad Vinayak’s birthday is a five-day festival from Bhadrapath Shudh 1 to Bhadrapath Shudh 5 (August –September)
Magh: The Magh Utsav is an important festival at the Varad Vinayak Temple. The celebrations take place from Magh Shudh 1 to Magh Shudh 6 (January – February).
Shravan: Janmashtami or Krishna Ashtami, Lord Krishna’s birthday is celebrated here with a Dahi Handi event during Shravan ( July- August)
Holi: The colorful festival of Holi is in the month of Phalgun (February/March), on Phalgun Shudh Poornima.
Aashad: Chaturmas symbolizes Lord Vishnu’s four months slumber. The beginning of Chaturmas is in the month of Aashad (June-July). Devotees can participate in Puram Pravachan program during this period.
Ashwin: Devotees celebrate the Dusshera festival here on Ashwin Shudh 10 (September/October). During the festivities, Lord Ganpati is taken on a palanquin procession across the village.

How to reach Mahad Ganpati Temple?

Map of Ashtavinayak Temples in Maharashtra — The Route Map of all the eight Ashtavinayak Temples in Maharashtra

Road – Mahad Ganpati Temple is 63 km from Mumbai and 85 km from Pune. Mahad enjoys good roads and several buses operate from Mumbai, Thane, and Pune.
Rail – The nearest railway stations are in Khopoli and Karjat. All Express Train Services halt at Karjat Station.
Air – The nearest airports are in Mumbai and Pune and they are equidistant to Varad Vinayak Temple. There are numerous numbers of taxis and buses that will take you to Mahad from outside the airport.

Where to stay near Mahad Ganapati Temple?

Mahad has a Bhakta Niwas or Pilgrim’s rest house with clean rooms at very nominal rates. Mahad doesn’t have any hotels, but devotees can either choose between the rest house of stay at Mumbai / Pune.

Varadvinayak Ganpati Bhakta Niwas is the ideal place to stay here. The rooms and loos are clean and well-maintained. Rs.200 is charged for a room and beddings are provided by the trust.

Where to eat near Mahad Ganapati Temple?

Devotees can enjoy Maharastrian Cuisine in their way to Mahad Ganpati Temple.

The Mahad Ganpati Temple offers Prasad for devotees. Villagers and priests also offer Thali meals which are pre-booked. Also, devotees who make day trips to Mahad can also choose to eat in the city of Mumbai/Pune where one can find excellent and diverse food options.

Lunch is provided as prasad by the temple (noon-2 pm).
Else, villagers (temple officials guide visitors to them) provide good meals for Rs 40 per thali.

What are the sightseeing places near Mahad Ganapati temple?

Temple near Mahad Ganpati Temple — Devotees who visit Mahad Ganpati can also travel to Khopoli to visit the temples there.

Temples near Mahad Ganapati Temple are:

Gagangiri Ashram, Khopoli: According to beliefs, Gagangiri Maharaj, a prominent spiritual leader did penance in Khopoli and nearby forests. He attained Samadhi at his Ashram in Khopoli which attracts devotees. The ashram is 21 km from Mahad Ganpati Temple
Shankar Mandir, Khopoli: Nana Phadnavis, built an oval-shaped reservoir and a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple does not have an idol, but an image which visitors worship. Mahasivarathri festival fair attracts a lot of devotees to this temple. The Shankar Mandir is 28 km from Mahad Ganpati Temple.

There are statues of four elephants on four sides of the temple that are said to guard the temple.

What are the other Ashtavinayak Temples?

Asthavinyaka temples — The divine idols of Lord Ganesh in different Ashtavinayak Temples in Maharashtra

The other Ashtavinayak temples are:

Mayureshwar Temple, Morgaon – This is the first of the Ashtavinayak Temples. Devotees begin and end their journey at the Mayureshwar Temple. The temple got its name after the legend of Mayureshwar – Lord Ganesh riding a peacock.
Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Siddhatek – This temple is the second in the list of Ashtavinayak Temples. Lord Vishnu is believed to have appeased Lord Ganesh at this place before slaying the demons Madhu and Kaitabh.
Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali: This temple derives its name from Lord Ganesh’s devotee Ballal. This is the only Ganesh Temple whose name is after a devotee. It is in Pali, 180 km from the Girijatmaj Temple.
Chintamani Temple, Theur – This temple is the fifth in the list of Ashtavinayak temples. Lord Ganesh retrieved the invaluable jewel – Chintamani from a greedy demon and gave it back to sage Kapila.
Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri: Goddess Parvathi performed penance at this place to have a child. Her prayers were answered when Lord Ganesh was born. The temple gets its name from the words Girija (Parvathi) and Atmaj (son).
Vighneshwar Vinayak Temple, Ozar – This temple is the seventh in the list of Ashtavinayak Temples. Lord Indra sent Vighnasur to disturb King Abhinandan’s prayer. Then, the troubled devotees turned to Lord Ganesh who defeated the demon at this place.
Mahaganapati Temple, Ranjangaon – This is the last of the Ashtavinayak Temples. Lord Shiva worshipped Lord Ganesh here before proceeding to defeat the demon Tripurasura.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mahad Ganpati Temple –

Is there online booking available for Mahad Ganpati Temple?

Entry to the temple is free and no booking is needed to visit the temple.

Where can we stay near Mahad Ganpati Temple?

The Dharamshala or Bhakta Nivas is the best option to stay near Mahad Ganpati Temple. Also, they can be found at cheap rates.

What is the nearest airport to Mahad Ganpati Temple?

The nearest airports are in Mumbai and Pune at a distance of 63 km and 85 km.

What is the temperature in Mahad Ganpati Temple?

The maximum temperature in summer can reach till 35^°C. The minimum temperature that can fall down is 13^°C in winter.

What is the significance of Mahad Ganpati Temple among Ashtavinayak Yatra?

The Mahad Ganpati Temple comes in 4th number during the Ashtavinayak Yatra.

What is the prasad’s usually offered in the temple?

Ladoo and Modak prasad which are known to be favorite of Lord Ganesh are offered in the temple.

How do devotees pray in the Mahad Ganpati Temple?

Devotees can offer prayers in the Garbhagriha of Mahad Ganpati temple. Flowers, Garlands are the main offerings made at Mahad temple.