The  Ballaleshwar Temple of Pali is an Ashtavinayaka temple dedicated to the Lord ‘Ganesha located in Pali which is 28 km from Roha, Raigad District of Maharashtra. Ballaleshwar Temple is the only temple whose name is known by its devotee’s name. This temple is situated between the Amba River and the Sarasgad Fort.

The Pali Ganpati Temple or Ballaleshwar Temple is significant because it faces east and is perfectly planned so that the rays of the rising sun on the winter solstice fall directly on the main idol. The temple has two sanctums: the inner sanctum is 15 feet long and the outer sanctum is 12 feet long.

Story Behind Ballaleshwar Temple

The Ashtavinayak legend is based on the devotion of a young boy named Ballala to Lord Ganesh. Lord Ganesh was a close personal god to Ballala. He once put together a special pooja in Pali, his village. He invited all of the other village children to participate in that. The pooja continued for a number of days: dedicated kids would not get back before the finishing of the pooja by Ballala. The parents were upset by this; They complained to Ballala’s father, Kalyani Seth. Kalyani Seth made his way to the location where the pooja was being performed. He threw the boy’s Ganesh idol into the forest; and assaulted him severely.

Even though he was exhausted, a seriously injured Ballala continued to recite Lord Ganesh’s prayers. Lord Ganesh appeared in front of him, pleased with the boy’s devotion, and treated Ballala. The young man requested that Lord Ganesh reside in his village. The Lord Ganesh agreed and told Ballala that he would be known here by the boy’s name.

The name of that stone statue is Ballaleshwar. Dhundi Vinayak is the alternative name for the stone idol that Kalyan threw to the ground. Prior to Ballaleshwar, this is worshipped as a swayambhu murti.

History of Ballaleshwar Temple

Moreshvar Vitthal Sindkar developed the sanctuary in 1640. He contributed significantly to Chatrapati Shivaji’s work. The devotees of Ganesha made a significant contribution to the growth of the temple. The first wooden sanctuary was remodelled in 1760 to clear a path for another stone sanctuary planned by Shri Fadnis.

It was constructed by combining lead and cement in the shape of the letter “Sh” during construction. The temple, which faces east, was carefully set up so that during worship, sunlight directly hits the murti when it rises. After Chimaji Appa defeated the Portuguese in Vasai and Sasti, he returned with a bell to the temple.

Architecture of Ballaleshwar Temple

The temple has two Sanctums or Girbhagriha. The 15-foot-tall inner sanctum is quite extensive. The 12-foot-tall outer sanctum features a rat idol facing Ganesh and holding a Modak. When building temple walls, lead and cement were mixed together to build the temple. This gives the temple a lot of strength. The hall of the temple, which is 40 feet long and 20 feet wide and was constructed in 1910 A.D. by the late Shri Krishnaji Ringe, is very beautiful and has eight pillars that look like Cypress throne trees.

A golden sheet adorns the Kalas, the temple’s peak, from donations from devotees. The procession palakhi is also covered with silver plates. The temple complex is tiled throughout and encircles two lakes. Silver plates completely cover the bathing utensils, including the circular pot (Ghangal), the sitting device (chaurang), the idol’s upper arms, and the central hanging (zumber). Devotees have given the idol and fish crowns made of gold and silver.

Facts about Ballaleshwar Temple

• Vinayaka’s murti is seated on a stone throne facing east with its trunk turned to the left. It is set against a silver background with Riddhi and Siddhi waving chamaras. Diamonds line the murti’s eyes and navel.
• The significance of Pali Ganpati temple is that it points toward the east and is impeccably wanted to guarantee that the beams from the colder time of year solstice’s rising sun fall straightforwardly on the main idol. The inner sanctum of the temple is 15 feet in diameter, and the outer sanctum is 12 feet in diameter.
• A devotee by the name of Krishnaji Narayan Pinge constructed eight pillars in 1910. The eight directions are represented by the pillars in the front of the temple.
• Lord Ballaleshwar’s idol is 3 feet tall and resembles the shape of a nearby mountain.
• Guests can likewise see a portion of the development hardware like the beating wheel. Additionally, the temple has two stunning lakes.

Famous Festivals In Ballaleshwar Temple

• The temple celebrates three main festivals. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated from the first to the fifth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, where Ganesh Chaturthi is the fourth day. The palkhi of Ganesha is taken for three consecutive days in these festivals.
• Devotees celebrate the Dusshera festival here on Ashwin Shudh. During the festivities, Lord Ballaleshwar is taken on a palanquin procession across the village.
• The colourful festival of Holi is in the month of Phalgun (February/March), on Phalgun Poornima.

How To reach Ballaleshwar Temple

The famous Ballaleshwar Temple is accessible by various modes of transport.

By Air: The Nearest Airport to Ballaleshwar Temple is Mumbai Airport about 105 Km from the temple.

By Rail: The Nearest Railway Station to Ballaleshwar Temple is Nagothana Railway Station. The Distance between Nagothana Railway Station to Ballaleshwar Pali Temple is 13 Km.

By Road: Between Mumbai Central and Kokan, one can take the State Transport (S.T.) and get off at Vakan. Local transportation to Ballaleshwar Temple is available from Vakan.

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