The Vigneshwara Temple, also called the Vighnahar Ganapati Temple of Ozar, is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom. This temple is one of the Ashtavinayaka temples (the eight revered shrines of Ganesha ) located in Ozar, Maharashtra, India. Ozar is located about 85 km from Pune, off the Pune-Nashik highway and about 9 km north of Narayangaon.

The Ganesha structure venerated here is called Vigneshwara (Vigneshwar: ” The name “Lord of Obstacles” or “Vignahar”) refers to the Hindu legend of Ganesha’s victory over Vignasura, the demon of obstacles.

Story Behind Vigneshwara Temple

The Tamil Vinayaka Purana, Skanda Purana, and Mudgala Purana all record: that Lord Abhinandana played out a penance in which he gave no proposing to the god-ruler Indra. Kala, or Time/Death, was given the order by the enraged Indra to destroy the sacrifice. Kala manifests as the devil Vignasura (a spirit that serves as a deterrent) or Vigna (a snag), who obstructed the penance and destroyed it. In addition, he destroyed the universe and interfered with the sacrifices and good deeds of other beings and sages.

The wise men sought assistance from the gods Brahma or Shiva, who advised the worship of Ganesha. Hearing the request of the monks, Ganesha started to fight the devil, who before long understood that it was difficult to win and gave up on his rival and made a deal to avoid bothering the creatures of the world. Vigna, or obstacles, were to live only in places where Ganesha was not worshipped or invoked. In some versions, the remorseful Vigna was made Ganesha’s attendant, causing trouble for those who didn’t worship him.

Vignasura likewise mentioned Ganesha to take the name Vigneshwara (The God of Vigna/obstructions) to remember the occasion. At Ozar, the relieved sages dedicated an image of Ganesha as Vigneshwara to commemorate the occasion.

History of Vigneshwara Temple

Chimaji Appa, younger brother and military administrator of the Peshwa Baji Rao I, revamped the temple and after retaining the Vasai Post from the Portuguese, covered the shikhara (Temple tower) with gold. The Ganesha devotee Appa Shastri Joshi also renovated the temple in 1967.

Architecture of Vigneshwara Temple

A walled compound surrounds the east-facing temple, which has a “spacious courtyard, a grand entrance, sculptural and mural work”. The large gateway is flanked by two large stone Dvarapala (gatekeepers) sculptures and a row of four musicians in bas-relief on the lintel. Standing on the wall, one can see the Shivneri Fort and the Lenyadri shrine.

The entrance is flanked by two substantial stone Deepamalas, or lamp towers, in front of a lovely corridor with seven cusped pillars. There are owaris—a small area for meditation—on both sides of the entrance. The courtyard is tiled. The temple’s central entrance, to the east, is one of three entrances with sculpted side posts and lintels. On the lintel of the central one, there is a relief of Ganesha encircled by monkeys and parrots perched on trees.

The temple has two halls, the first of which is 20 feet tall and contains an image of Dhundiraj Ganesha. It also has entrances to the north and south. The next one is 10 feet tall and features a white marble mushika (Ganesha’s vehicle) sitting in attendance. There are murals and colourful sculptures all over the temple’s walls. The shikhara, which is situated above the sanctum, is covered in gold foil. It also has two wide stone Prakarams, which are exterior passageways outside of the sanctum.

Like all Ashtavinayaka sanctuaries, the central Ganesha picture is accepted to be svayambhu (self-existent), normally happening as an elephant-confronted stone. The central symbol of Ganesha points toward the east and is flanked with metal pictures of his consorts Siddhi and Riddhi. He has a left-turning trunk and is covered with sindoor (vermillion). His eyes are lined with emeralds, and his forehead and navel are covered in diamonds.

Facts about Vigneshwara Temple

• The presiding idol is Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu God and is left trunked in the temple.
• An east-facing idol of Ganesha is seen along with his consorts Siddhi and Riddhi, with the scriptural and mural work at the entrance.
• Riddhi and Siddhi are the consorts of Lord Ganesha, who stand on the two sides of the idol of Ganesha in Ozar
• Right in front of the temple, the Kukad River flows close to the temple boundary and remains covered with water every time.
• One can enjoy a pleasant time at Kukad River which is close to the temple.

Famous Festivals In Vigneshwara 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.
• On Ashwin Shudh (September/October), devotees observe the Dusshera festival. During the merriments, lord Ganpati is taken on a cart parade across the town.
• Shravan: Janmashtami or Krishna Ashtami, Lord Krishna’s birthday is celebrated here with a Dahi Handi event during Shravan ( July- August)

How To reach Vigneshwara Temple

Vigneshwara Temple is nearly 85 km from Pune and well connected through various modes of transportation.

By Air: The nearest airport is at Pune which is 67 km from Vigneshwara Temple

By Rail: The nearest railway station is at Pune which is 85 km from Vigneshwara Temple

By Road: Junnar is 8 kilometres from Ozar, which has a bus stop and can be reached by car, jeep, or rickshaw. In accordance with the requirements of pilgrims, the Shivajinagar bus stand also offers regular bus services.