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. 

Aadhaar UID Andheri Mumbai enrollment Centers

The new phase of enrollment for the Aadhaar UID card has begun. The offline & online enrollment centers in Andheri are as listed below.