Mahad Ganpati Temple | Varad Vinayak, Mahad

The Varadavinayak Temple is situated in Mahad, near Khopoli, Raigad. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Ganesh and is one of the Eight Ashtavinayak Temples of Pune in Maharashtra. and the other name is Varad Vinayak Temple.

History

Legend of Varad Vinayak: During his hunting journey, Prince Rukmaganda of Koudinyapur stopped at Rishi Vachaknavi’s hermitage. The Rishi’s wife Mukunda attempted and appreciated the handsome prince to seduce him, however, the righteous Prince declined. Lord Indra saw the plight of the lovesick Mukunda.

He impersonated Prince Rukmaganda and satisfied her desire. Mukunda soon gave birth to a son Gritsamada, who matured to be an excellent scholar. When welcomed to debate along with great Rishis, Gritsamada was. Among the Rishis declined to debate with Gritsamada as he was not a real Brahmin.

A shocked Gritsamada questioned his mom and knew about his birth. In a fit of anger, he cursed that she will become a thorny plant. Mukunda, in turn, cursed Gritsamada that he would have a devil child. When the 2 were cursing each other, a celestial voice claimed that Gritsamada was Lord Indra’s son.

A repenting Gritsamada pulled back to Pushpak forest and performed penance to Lord Ganesh. Happy with his prayers and devotion, Lord Ganesh appeared before him and gave him a boon. Gritsamada asked that he be recognized as a Brahmin and also that Lord Ganesh remain in this forest and bless the people.

Lord Ganesh approved his 2 desires and remained in the forest. Gritsamada is called Lord Ganesh Varad Vinayak or the Lord who gives desires.

Importance

• The significance of the Mahad Ganpati temple is that the Varad Vinayak idol is self-manifested. The Lord’s idol was discovered immersed in a lake in the year 1690 by a Ganesh devotee called Paundkar. Devotees can enter into the sanctum sanctorum and directly worship the Lord at Mahad Ganpati Temple.

• The Varad Vinayak idol at Mahad Ganpati Temple faces east and the trunk turns left.
• Lord Varad Vinayak at Mahad Ganpati Temple is accompanied by consorts Riddhi and Siddhi
• The sanctum sanctorum had a Nandadeep or a perpetual oil light, which is considered to burning continually since 1892
• Even more, Mahad is a beautiful town and provides an outstanding atmosphere for people who want to practice meditation
• Gagangiri Maharaj, a spiritual leader did penance on the water of a nearby dam
• According to beliefs, Gritsamada created the Ganana Twam. When praying to Lord Ganesh, the mantra is an extremely effective chant.

Architecture

The temple is in all aspects generally planned with a tiled rooftop. It has an arch 25 feet high with a fantastic peak and a brilliant summit (Kalas) which has a wonderfully sculpted cobra. The Temple is 8 feet long and 8 feet large.

The very first icon of Varad Vinayak can be seen outside the temple. Since the sign was in a severely endured condition, the temple trustees inundated that icon and blessed another icon in that place. Be that as it may, such an option of trustees was protested by only a few people, and a suit was documented in the district court.

Currently, 2 icons, one inside the sanctum and one outside the sanctum can be seen. The sanctum made up of stone and embraced by perfectly cut stone elephant carvings, homes the sign.

A Gomukh is seen on the north side of the temple from which streams the incredible water. A blessed lake is located on the west side of the temple. This temple moreover has the sign of Mushika, Navagraha Devtas, and Shivalinga.

Idol

The idol at the Varad Vinayak Mahad Ganpati Temple is Swyambhu and the temple is actually recognized as a Math.  The Lord’s idol was found immersed in a lake in the year 1690 by a Ganesh devotee named Paundkar. 

List Of Ashtavinayaka Temples

Nearby Attractions

• Triambakeshwar Temple
• Girijaatmaja Vinayak Temple
• Chintamani Vinayak Temple
• Bhimashankar Temple
• Grishneshwar Temple

Festivals

• Bhadrapath: Lord Ganesh’s birth celebration is known as Ganesh Chaturthi.
• Magh Shuddha Chaturthi: (January – February).
• Shravan: Janmashtami Lord Krishna’s birthday is celebrated here with a Dahi Handi during Shravan ( July- August)
• Holi: The colorful festival of Holi is in the month of Phalgun (February/March), on Phalgun Shudh Poornima.
• Aashad: Chaturmas symbolizes Lord Vishnu’s four months of slumber. The beginning of Chaturmas is in the month of Aashad (June-July).
• Ashwin: Devotees celebrate the Dusshera festival here on Ashwin Shudh 10 (September/October).
• Vijayadashami (Dasehara)

List Of Ashtavinayaka Temples

1. Morgaon Ganpati Temple
2. Siddhatek Ganpati Temple
3. Ballaleshwar Pali Ganpati Temple
4. Mahad Ganpati Temple
5. Chintamani Ganpati Temple
6. Lenyadri Girijatmaj Ganpati Temple
7. Ozar Ganpati Temple
8. Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple

How to Reach

• By Air: The nearby Airports are in Mumbai as well as Pune and they are the same distance to Varad Vinayak Temple.
• By Train: The nearby Railway Stations are in Khopoli and Karjat. All Express Train Services halt at Karjat Station.
• By Road: Mahad Ganpati Temple is 63 km from Mumbai and 85 km from Pune. several buses operate from Mumbai, Thane, and Pune.

Temple Timings

Darshan Timing

5:30 AM to 09:00 PM

Aarti, Bhog and Pooja Timing

Timings	From
Darshan Starting Time	05.30 AM
Temple Closing Time	09:00 PM
Panchamrit puja	08:00 AM

Lord Varad Vinayak is worshipped only three times a day. Devotees who pay a fee of INR 31,000 have an opportunity to worship the Lord for the entire day. No priests or officials will interrupt the devotee during his prayers.

Temple Video