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.

Mumbai to Pen passenger train timings

The Dadar Ratnagiri Passenger train on the Central Railway route is an economical way to travel to Pen. Visiting Pen is a must on your itinerary if you are visiting Maharashtra prior to the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. This is because Pen is home to hundreds of artisans who make those beautiful Ganapati idols.

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.

Haritalika Aarti in Marathi

When Goddess Parvati is worshiped on the day of Haritalika puja, a special aarti is done. 

The Marathi words of the Haritalika puja aarti are as given below

How is Haritalika puja done

Haritalika puja (also referred to as Hartalika puja) is one of the important pujas performed by married women to ask for God's blessings for a happy married life. Today unmarried women too perform this puja to get blessings for a good husband. Specifically, the puja is done of Goddess Parvati. The reason for this lies in the origins of a Hindu mythological legend. In this blog post you will know how the story of hartalika and how to do a simple haritalika puja at home.