Shri Mahaganapati, Ranjangaon

My hubby served for Fiat India Automobiles for few years, just before when the Fiat Plant in Kurla, Mumbai, got shifted to Ranjangaon MIDC, in Pune dist. Still he has been in good terms with most of his ex-colleagues at Fiat and we often visit them in Pune. 

Apart from the vast industrial opportunity this place Ranjangaon offers, it has a great religious importance. The place has one of the eight Ashtavinayak Temples, the temple of Shri Mahaganapati. Ashtavinayak, which literally means "Eight Ganeshas", are housed in eight pilgrimage places around Pune, in per-ascertained sequence. Each of the eight idols differ in their form, legend and history.

Tripurasura, a demon, was born from the nostrils of Gritsamada when he sneezed. Tripurasura was blessed by Ganapati, only to be killed by lord Shiva and conquered the world. Lords go to Shiva, seeking his help to kill Tripurasura and rescue the world from his evil deeds. Lord Shiva couldn't kill the demon, till he worshipped Ganapati. Shiva established Ganapati as Mahaganapati, as a mark of gratitude. Shiva is enshrined at Bhimashankara, nearby.

The history of the temple goes to 9th or 10th century, by its resemblance to the architecture. Its said that MadhavRao Peshwa, who often visited the temple, built the stone sanctum around the idol in 1790AD. The idol facing the east, is seated in cross legged position with broad forehead.

Location:

Ranjangaon is around 50kms from Pune, on Pune-Ahamednagar highway. Frequent Maharashtra Sate Road Transport Buses operating between Pune and Ahamednagar/Shirur halt here. There is also delux bus by ST, which covers all eight Ashtavinayak temples in two days from Pune.

On this auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi today, I wish lord Mahaganapati bless us all with Happiness and Prosperity.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!!