Ozar Ganpati Temple

Ozar Ganpati is a Ganesha Vinayak temple. The eight holy temples of Ganesha are located in Maharashtra, India. The idol form worshipped here is known as Vigneshwara. It is associated with the legend of Ganesha defeating Vignasura, the demon of obstacles. The temple is one of the Ashtavinayak Temples.

History

The history of the Ozar Ganpati temple goes back to lots of centuries. Mythology states that King Abhinandan had not given an offering to Lord Indra at the time of his Maha Yagna. Angered, Indra sent out Kaala in the form of Vignasura. He was beaten by Ganesha and concurred to never exist in locations that were blessed by him.

The Vigneshawara temple was constructed by Chimaji Appa in 1785, after the conquest of Vasai Fort by the Portuguese. He also covered the dome in gold and changed it in 1833. In 1967 it was once again rebuilt by a devotee, Appa Shastri Joshi. They say that no “Vighna” ever arises in locations where Ganesha is invoked.

Importance

The significance of the Ozar Ganpati temple is that it is the most well-known Vigneshwara Asthavinayak temple. The residing idol is Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god, and is left trunked in the temple. An east-facing idol of Ganesha is seen together with his consorts Siddhi and Riddhi, with the scriptural and mural operating in the entrance.

Riddhi and Siddhi are the consorts of Lord Ganesha, who stand on the 2 sides of the idol of Ganesha in Ozar
The Ozar Ganpati temple is the number 7th Temple in the Asthavinayaka Yatra.

The temple also has its own courtyard, which becomes the ground for all the celebrations. The idols of Goddess Siddhi and Goddess Riddhi, along with Ganesha, are decorated with diamonds on their foreheads and emeralds for their eyes. The peaceful environment, as well as the spiritual sensations, highlights the spiritual pureness of the temple.

Architecture

The east-facing temple features a “spacious courtyard, a grand entrance, sculptural and also mural work”. It is surrounded by a walled compound with a large gateway flanked by two large stone Dvarapala (gatekeepers) sculptures and also a row of four musicians Bas alleviation on the lintel. One can watch the Lenyadri shrine and Shivneri Fort standing on the wall. Two large stone Deepamalas (light towers) stand near the gateway in front of a fine corridor of seven cusped arches. There are owaris (small rooms for meditation) on both sides of the gateway.

The courtyard is tiled. The central temple has three entrances with sculptured side posts and lintels; the east one being the central one. The central one has a lintel with a Ganesha in relief surrounded by monkeys and also parrots on trees. The temple has two halls, with the first one (20 feet high) having entrances to the north and also the southern too, and has the image of Dhundiraj Ganesha. The next one (10 feet high) has a white marble Mushika (the mouse, which is the vehicle of Ganesha) seating in attendance. The temple walls are filled with murals and colorful sculptures. The shikhara – over the sanctum – is covered with gold foil. It also has two wide stone Prakarams (outer path outside a Hindu sanctum).

Like all Ashtavinayaka temples, the central Ganesha image is believed to be Svayambhu (self-existent), naturally occurring in the form of an elephant-faced stone. The central icon of Ganesha faces east and also is flanked with brass images of his consorts Siddhi and Riddhi. He has a left-turning trunk and is covered with sindoor (vermillion). His eyes are emeralds and his temple and navel are also loved with diamonds.

Idol

Riddhi and Siddhi are the consorts of Lord Ganesha, who stand on the two sides of the idol of Ganesha in Ozar.

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

Festivals

1. Ganesh Jayanti – It is one of the most important festivals.
2. Ganesh Chaturthi – It is another main festival that attracts several pilgrims to Ozar Ganpati temple every year.
3. Karthik Poornimah – One of the most popular festivals celebrated here is the Karthik Poornimah festival. It takes place during November or December and is a much-awaited celebration.

Nearby Attractions

• Mohota Devi Temple 
• Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Mandir 

How to Reach

• By Air: Pune Airport is near the Airport which is 67 km from Ozar Ganapati temple.
• By Train: Nearby Railway station is at Pune and it is 85 km from Ozar Ganapati temple.
• By Road: Junnar, located 8 km from Ozar has a bus station and can be reached by rickshaw, jeep, or car. Shivajinagar bus stand also has regular bus services according to the needs of the devotees.

Temple Timings

Darshan Timing

Morning to Evening

05:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Aarti, Bhog and Pooja Timing

Aarti and Bhog	Timing
Darshan Timing on Angarkhi Chaturthi	4:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Maha Aarti Timing	7:30 AM
Maha Prasad Timing	Mornings – 10:00 AM     Afternoons – 1:00 PM
Madhya Aarti Timing	12:00 PM
Shejaarti Timing	10:00 PM

Special Five Days Pooja Timing for Festivals

Some of the major poojas that take place in the temple are Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Jayanti (for five days), and Karthik Purnima. Regular Maha Aartis, Madhya Aartis, and Shejaartis are performed. The daily poojas and rituals include,

Timings	Pooja
05:00 AM	Waking up of God
05:30 AM	Prakshalana Pooja
07:00 AM	Panchopachara Pooja, Naivedya, Dhooparti
12:00 PM	Maha Pooja, Mahanaivedya
03:00 PM	Maha Pooja, Mahanaivedya
08:00 PM	Dhoopaarti, Aarti of the Avarana Deities
08:30 PM	Maha Aarti, Dhoop, Deep, Mantra Pushpa

Temple Video