Visiting Chintamani Ashtavinayak Ganapati Temple Theur

Devotees who embark on the Ashtavinayak Yatra make their fifth halt to pay obeisance to Lord Ganesha at the Chintamani Ashtavinayak Temple at Theur (also referred to as Theoor). The holy place of Theur is located at the spot where 3 rivers meet – the Mula river, the Mutha river and the Bhima river.

Ghalin Lotangan Ganpati bhajan words in Marathi

Most people when worshiping a deity do so with an aarti (आरती). By performing an aarti, one is expressing one's devotion to God. The aarti is basically consisting of a lighted wick soaked in oil placed in a diya & kept on a plate, the plate being then rotated in a clockwise direction around the deity. This aarti is considered an important part of a puja to a Hindu God or Goddess. The devotional words which are said while doing an aarti may vary from one God/Goddess to another. However, there is one bhajan (भजन) [bhajan means devotional song] which is considered to be mandatory after performing an aarti of Lord Ganesha. This bhajan is 'Ghalin Lotangan' (घालीन लोटांगण). In fact, this bhajan is also routinely recited after any aarti.

Significance and importance of Ashtavinayaka Yatra

Why do devotees of Lord Ganesha undertake the Ashtavinayak Yatra, visiting the 8 temples which are home to the Lord? 

Staunch devotees of Lord Ganesha try to embark on the Ashtavinayaka Yatra at least once during their lifetime. This yatra (journey) involves a bit of hectic travel as the aim of the yatra is to visit all the 8 Ganapati temples located around Pune city in Maharashtra at one go. The yatra itself can take 2 to 4 days depending on your energy levels & the time available. With hectic work schedules, today’s urban working devotees try to complete the yatra within a single weekend. Tour operators, in fact, offer customised packages for such people. Some devotees visit Mahad, Pali and Theoor on one day and Shidhatek & Morgaon on the second day. On the third day they visit Ranjangaon & Ozhar & on the fourth day Lenyadri after which they return to Morgaon. Others visit the temples within 3 or even 2 days.

Sankatnashan Ganeshstotra in Marathi

The Sankatnashan stotra is said to have been written by Lord Narada & it is believed that those who say this stotra can invoke Lord Ganesha's blessings to overcome all obstacles in life. Hence Lord Ganesha is also known as Vignaharta (One who destroys all obstacles ). 

The most famous mythological legend centered on the Sankatnashan stotra is the one which traces the origins of the Mahaganapati temple at Ranjangaon.

Visiting Shree Mahaganapati Temple Ranjangaon Pune

The Shree Mahaganapati temple at Ranjangaon is located in Shirur taluka about 50kms from Pune and is the eight temple visited by devotees who set out on the Ashtavinayak Yatra. The form of the temple’s idol, namely Mahaganapati, is considered to be so powerful that the local villagers do not bring home idols of Ganapati at all, as is done during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in other parts of Maharashtra. Instead, they personally visit the temple itself.

Visiting Pen Maharashtra: the abode of Lord Ganesha

Pen Ganapati Idol

Many of the Ganapati idols which are sold in Mumbai, Pune and other places in Maharashtra are primarily from the town of Pen, Raigad. In fact, the idol makers from Pen are so well known that even a few NRIs from around the world order their Ganapati idols from Pen! It is not surprising, then, that Pen has got the tag of “Ganesha’s Idol Abode”. Since eons, entire generations of artisan families here have been painstakingly making idols of Lord Ganesha. It is not just a mere business bringing in earnings, but literally a fervent passion.

Visiting Varad Vinayaka Temple at Mahad

The Varad Vinayaka Temple at Mahad is located in Kolhapur taluka, District Raigad. The fourth temple to be visited by pilgrims on the Ashtavinayak yatra, the Varad Vinayaka Temple here is located approximately 25.65kms from Karjat railway station and is even closer to Khopoli (about 6kms).

Visiting Ballaleshwar Temple Pali on Ashtavinayak Yatra

The Ganapati temple at Pali in Sudhagad taluk, Raigad district is the third halt of devotees on the Ashtavinayak yatra. It is here that the temple dedicated to Shri Ballaleshwar is located. The distrance from Sidhatek to Pali is 222kms & it takes approx 3 ½ hours. 

How the mouse became Lord Ganesha’s vehicle

उंदीर आला ! (a mouse/rat has come!) ~ hearing this, it is not surprising that everybody runs around, trying to get away from this pest. This very pest, though, is the mount of Lord Ganesha and you will always find a mouse at the foot of a Ganapati idol, quietly sitting there. Many temples of Lord Ganesha also have a sculpture of a mouse in front of the temple gates, signifying the mouse as a guardian (one example: the Ganapati Moreshwar temple). 

Do you know why the mouse, considered to be something really horrid, is Ganapati's vehicle ?

Why Durva is offered to Lord Ganesha

Devotees of Lord Ganesha are well aware that 21 durva (दुर्वा) are offered to the Ganapati idol during worship. However, few really know the reason why this durva is offered. There is an interesting mythological legend which tells the reason.

21 Durva offering proclamations during Ganapati puja

Durva (दुर्वा) is a sacred grass offered to an idol during worship. The 3-leaved durva (ideally it should be 3 but 5-leaved can also be offered) is one of the most important offerings made during Ganapati puja. In fact, during the Ganapati puja, 21 durva have to be offered (do you know why? read here). Before offering, each durva is dipped in a pot of water and thrown towards/placed on the idol. However, no durva should be put against or on the idol's face. As each durva is offered, an utterance or proclamation (उच्चार) is made. The उच्चार are as follows...

Visiting Siddhivinayak Siddhatek Temple on Ashtavinayak yatra

After paying obeisance at the Ganapati temple in Moreshwar, the next temple on the Ashtavinayaka yatra is the Siddhivinayaka temple at Siddhatek. From Morgaon the distance to Siddhatek is 82kms. This town is located on the banks of the river Bhima. 

Visiting Ganapati Temple Moreshwar Morgaon

The Ganapati Temple at Moreshwar is the first temple as well as the last one to be visited by those who set out on the Ashtavinayak pilgrimage. A silver headed cobra (Nagaraj, the King of Snakes) is to be seen on this temple’s Ganesha idol. The benevolent 3 eyes of the idol literally sparkle with diamonds. 

Facing the temple is a mouse (Ganapati’s mount) which is 6 foot high. Also located outside the temple gates is a large sculpture of a bull which is Lord Shiva’s mount (Lord Shiva is Ganapati’s father). As per Hindu mythological legends, the bull was being transported from a Shiva temple located in the vicinity, rested here in front of the Moreshwar temple & then could not be budged from the spot. The bull & the mouse are considered to be faithful guardians of the Moreshwar temple.

Where to buy Eco friendly Ganesha Idols in Mumbai Thane Navi Mumbai

An eco-friendly Ganesha Idol is made from natural clay and natural colours are used, such as yellow from turmeric powder. Such idols dissolve easily in water and can even be immersed in a bucket of water at home itself without the need to take it to a local water body such as a tank, river or sea. More and more people are becoming conscious of the need to protect fragile Mother Nature & stop the widespread ruin of the local environment.

2011 Ram Maruti Road Ganapati photos

These are the images of the 2011 Ram Maruti Road Ganapati pandal, Shivaji Park, Mumbai 

2011 Dadarcha Raja photos

These are the images of the Dadarcha Raja 2011

Sada Sarvada prayer lyrics in Marathi

Sada Sarvada Ganapati Prathana Words in Marathi

सदा सर्वदा योग तूझा घडावा |

तुझे कारणी देह माझा पडावा |

उपेक्षू नको गूणवंता अनंता |

रघूनायका मागणे हेचि आतां  ||

कैलास राणा शिव  चंद्रमौळी |

फणींद्र माथा मुकुटी झळाळी ||

कारुण्य सिंधू  भवदु:खहारी |

तुजवीण शंभो मज  कोण तारी ||

मोरया मोरया  मी बाळ तान्हें |

तुझीच सेवा करु काय जाणे ||

अन्याय माझे कोट्यानुकोटी |

मोरेश्वरा ब तू घाल पोटी ||

ज्या ज्या ठीकांणी मन जाय माझे  |

त्या त्या  ठीकांणी निजरुप  तुझे ||

मी ठेवितो मस्तक ज्या ठीकांणी |

तेथे तुझे सदगुरु पाय दोन्ही ||

अलंकापुरी पुण्य भूमी पवित्र |

तिथे नांदतो ग्यानराजा सुपात्र |

तया आठविता महापुण्यराशी|

नमस्कार माझा सदगुरु गयानेश्वराशी ||

सुखकर्ता दु:खहर्ता  शब्द 

Popular Ganapati pandals in Mumbai

During the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, there are numerous pandals spread across Mumbai. This blog post gives a list of some of the most popular Ganapati pandals locations in Mumbai.

What are the types of Ganesh Patris for Ganesh Puja

On the occasion of Eka Vimshathi Patra Puja, which is a puja conducted as soon as the Ganapati idol is brought home, 21 holy leaves are offered during the puja. These leaves are known as Ganesh Patris. The word 'patri' actually does not mean a leaf. It has its origin in Sanskrit and basically means a protector. It also means a vessel and is also another name for Goddess Durga.

Gold jewellery designs for Gauri Ganapati idols

During the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, many families bring home both Ganapati and Gauri idols. Both idols are bedecked with glittering gold ornaments to give them a glorious aura.

The jewellery shown below are exclusively of M.V.Pendurkar and Co. Jewellers, Mumbai (address & phone nos. at the end of this post).

Silver chatri (umbrella) placed above an idol

Gold jewellery for Gauri idol

A seated Gauri dressed in traditional Nauvari saree ~ note the ornament around waist and jewellery around wrists & fingers

A standing Gauri ~ note the tight choker jewellery around neck & varying lengths of other necklaces

Closeup of the standing Gauri ~ note the nosering and ear jewellery pieces, with gold flowers on shoulders

Ganapati and Gauri

Gold jewellery for Lord Ganesha idol

Golden crown befitting a Lord (note earrings hooked on to each ear - detailed image below)

Closeup of earrings and neck pieces

Gold Om symbol on right hand of the idol

Golden mouse holding golden modak & draped with cloak

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Gold accessories for Ganapati Gauri idols

Gold 5-petaled flower and gold elephant

Holy offerings: (from left to right) apple, banana, pear, coconut, pomegranate, mouse with modak

Contact information of M.V.Pendurkar and Co. Jewellers Mumbai

8-A, New Popatlal Building,

opp. Saraswat Bank,

Ranade Road,

Dadar,

Mumbai - 400028

Ph: 022-24302452/24225003

Contact persons: Ajit M.Pendurkar & Mrs.Aarti A. Pendurkar

Specialists in: Gold, silver, diamond & pearl jewellery and retailers of various gemstones.

More jewellery designs

Gold Jewellery for Goddess Durga