The Varadvinayak Temple or Mahad Ganpati Temple, also known as Varadavinayaka Mahad, is one of the Ashtavinayak temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Mahad is a small town in Raigad District, India, located in the Khalapur taluka, close to Karjat and Khopoli. Temple traces can even be found in many of the ancient Puranas.

Story/Legend of Varadvinayak Temple

According to temple legend, there was a Prince Rukmaganda of Koudinyapur who went hunting. In the forest, a rishi’s wife tries to seduce him, but he refuses. Indra, on the other hand, made her wish come true by showing her as the prince.

The woman gave birth to a boy named Gritsmada. He was a scholar with a great deal of intelligence. He once requested a debate with other scholars, but they declined, claiming that because he was not a Brahmin, they could not discuss religious matters with him. Gritsamada enquired of his mother about the mystery of his birth. When his mother refused, he cursed her. His mother cursed him as well. A celestial voice, however, informed him that he was Indra’s son.

Gritsamada prayed to Bhagwan Ganesha when he visited Mahad. He received a blessing and was pleased. Gritsamada asked Bhagwan Ganesha to treat him like a Brahmin, and the deity granted his request. Bhagwan Ganesha is known as Varadvinaka in this place because he stayed to fulfil the wish of his devotee.

History of Varadvinayak Temple

Shree Dhondu Paudkar discovered Shree Varadvinayak’s swayambhu idol in a lake in 1690. For a time, this idol was housed in a goddess-like temple. In 1725, Peshava Sardar Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar donated the Varad Vinayak temple to the village. The temple’s structure is similar to that of a regular house.

The mysterious idol of Lord Ganesh was discovered under the well behind the sanctuary, and this is the main source of fascination. The tirth holy water flows northward from a cow-faced Gomukh. The Nandadeep lamp, which has been burning brightly since 1892 is a unique feature of the Mahad Varadvinayak Temple.

Architecture of Varadvinayak Temple

The Varadvinayak Temple grounds are bordered on one side by a stunning pond. This temple’s idol has his trunk turned to the left and faces east. There is an oil light in this altar which is supposed to be consuming ceaselessly starting around 1892. This sanctuary also has the idol symbol of Mushika, Navagraha Devatas and Shivalinga.

There are 4 elephant icons monitoring the 4 sides of the Temple Complex. Devotees can enter the Garbhagriha of this Ashta Vinayak Temple to personally pay homage to the idol. Devotees visit the Varadvinayak throughout the year. This temple attracts large crowds during festivals like Magha Chaturthi.

Facts about Varadvinayak Temple

• Lord Ganesha is said to reside here in the form of Varada Vinayaka, the giver of bounty and success.
• It is said that if the coconut received as prasad during Maghi Chaturthi is consumed, one will be blessed with a son. Hence the temple is especially full of devotees during Maghi Utsav.
• Outside the sanctum, you can see the original Varad Vinayak idol. The trustees of the temple submerged the old idol and dedicated a new one there because the old one had been badly weathered.
• A Gomukh (the important face of a cow) is seen on the north side of the Temple complex from which streams the sacred water. On the west side of the temple is a holy pond. This temple additionally has the symbol of Mushika, Navagraha Devtas and Shivalinga.

Famous Festivals In Varadvinayak Temple

• 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.
• The Magh Utsav is an important festival at the Varadvinayak Temple. The colourful festival of Holi is in the month of Phalgun (February/March), on Phalgun Shudh Poornima.
• In the month of Bhadrapada, a five-day festival is celebrated starting from Pratipada to Panchami at Shri Varadvinayak Mahad.
• On the auspicious day of Vijayadashmi, Lord Ganesh is taken on a palanquin procession across the village. It is quite a significant event.

How to Reach Varadvinayak Temple

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

By Air: If you want to fly to Mahad Ganpati, the closest airports are Mumbai or Pune. The temple can be reached by road from there.

By Rail: Khopoli/Karjat Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Mahad Ganpati Temple. All express trains stop at Karjat station.

By Road: Varadvinayak Mahad Temple is 63 kilometres from Mumbai, 85 kilometres from Pune, 25 kilometres from Karjat, 21 kilometres from Lonavala, and 6 kilometres from Khopoli. The temple is very close to the Mumbai-Pune highway.

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