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.

How to reach Ranjangaon

• If travelling by road, you have to take the Pune to Nagpur highway. The main towns between Pune and Ranjangaon are Koregaon & Shikrapur.
• If visiting by train, it is on the Pune-Daund railway route, about 16kms from Uruli town.
• If boarding a bus, your best option is to board the State Transport public bus which starts from Shivaji Nagar in Pune.

Check out the route: Ashtavinayak Temples route map

Mahaganapati Ranjangaon Temple Origin

As per a Hindu mythological legend, a sneeze by revered saint Grutsamad resulted in the creation of a lad named Tripurasura. He learned the Ganesh mantra from his father & invoked Lord Ganesha, who granted him a wish to be the most powerful being whom nobody but Lord Shiva alone would be able to destroy, after which Tripurasura would attain salvation. Tripurasura became very vain & arrogant on getting this wish & proceeded to wreck havoc wherever he went. He first took over the netherworld and then the heavens, including Lord Indra’s abode. Even the most powerful Gods & Goddesses could do nothing to defeat him. He even cunningly got a boon from Lord Shiva and took over Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. Finally he started creating mayhem on the earth itself.  With all the worlds conquered, the vain Tripurasura started worshipping his own idol as he considered himself to be the most powerful being.

Terrified of Tripurasura, the heavenly Gods approached Lord Narada for advice. Lord Narada told them that since it was Lord Gajanan who had made Tripurasura so powerful, they should pray to Lord Gajanan only. Following this advice, the Gods recited the 8 Ganesha stotras which Lord Narada had taught them. These stotras are known as Sankatnashan [read the words of Sankatnashan stotra here]. Lord Gajanana, on being invoked, then said that whosoever said the Sankatnashan prior to trying to conquer/overcome all obstacles would be successful. 

Subsequently the Gods decided to request Lord Shiva to destroy Tripurasura since, as per the boon granted to him, he would die only at the hands of Lord Shiva. However, Lord Shiva was unsuccessful. He realized this was so because He had not had not recited the Sankatnashan stotra. Once He had recited it, He was immediately able to get a special bheejmantra from Lord Gajanana & with a single arrow killed Tripurasura. 

It is believed that the place where Lord Shiva invoked Lord Ganesha & defeated Tripurasura is Ranjangaon (the word ranjan means the delighted one), prior to which it had the name of Manipur.

About the Mahaganapati Ranjangaon Temple

Mahaganapati Ranjangaon

The temple was created in such a way that when the sun sets off on its journey from north to south, the sun’s rays would fall directly on the temple deity’s idol. Both the inner sanctum and the outer area were built by Shri Madhavrao Peshwa. Besides the main idol at the upper level, it is said that there is another idol below. It is believed that when the Mughals launched an attack on the area, the idol was kept hidden at a lower level. This idol has 10 trunks and 20 arms and is therefore named Mahotkat. Nobody really knows whether or not this idol actually exists. 

The idol which is visible at the upper level to devotees has a very broad forehead with the visage facing the east and is seated in a cross-legged posture. Ridhi & Sidhi are standing on either side of the idol. 

Located near the temple is a well which is said never to dry up but is always containing water all 12 months of the year. 

Mahaganapati Ranjangaon Temple Puja Timings: 5.30a.m. to 10p.m.
Temple pujas:

• Abhishek: Rs 11/-
• Sahastravartan: Rs 101/-
• SatyaVinayak Puja: Rs 51/-

With prior intimation, the temple trust also makes arrangements to send the prasad to you.

Mahaganapati Ranjangaon Temple Festivals

There is a special 6 day festival in the month of Bhadrapad, during which Mahabhog is offered to the temple deity on the fifth day. During this festival, the temple deity is also taken around the area in a flower be-decked palkhi (palanquin).

Large crowds gather during this festival to also witness the wrestling matches which are specially organized at this time. 

Accommodation in Ranjangaon Pune

1. You can contact the Mahaganapati temple's trustees for accommodation in single rooms or in a common hall. Afternoon lunch meals are also arranged by the temple trustees.

Contact information:

Ranjangaon Ganpati, 

Tal-Shirur, 

Dist-Pune, 

Pune, 

Maharashtra 412209  

Ph: 02138-243 200

2. If you are looking for hotel accommodation, your best option while stopping over at Ranjangaon is the Yash Inn Hotel. This is a 3-star hotel with room options of: Deluxe, Premium Deluxe, Standard Deluxe, Executive Deluxe, Super Deluxe and Presidential Suite. All facilities and services, including laundry service is available. Underground parking is also available. The hotel has an in-house restaurant called Daffodils, serving Indian, Continental and Chinese food.   There is also a separate restaurant serving Korean food and a bar.

Yash Inn Hotel Ranjangaon

Contact Information:

P-11, 5-Star-MIDC,

Ranjangaon,

Pune-Ahmednagar Express Highway,

Taluka Shirur,

District Pune

Ph : (02138) 660777/8/9, 645411

Email : yash_inn@rediffmail.com

Website: http://yashinn.com/