October-November 2012 training program at Manchester United Soccer School Mumbai

Logo image from official website

Manchester United's collaboration with the Western India Football Association (WIFA), has been very successful since the launch of its branch of the Manchester United Soccer Schools in Mumbai, Maharashtra at the Cooperage grounds. Mini fields of artificial synthetic turf at these grounds have provided children between the ages of 8 to 17 years a wonderful training ground for all-round development skills through various modules. This non-residential program, with each training of 5 weeks duration, has now opened bookings for Module 5 and Module 6.

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.

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.