Mahaganpati – Lord Ganesha – Ashtavinayak temple

Mahaganpati Temple is the eighth and final temple to be visited in Ashtavinayak yatra. The temple is 50 kms from Pune on the Pune Ahmednagar highway in the village of Ranjangaon.

About Idol and Temple

Ganesha idol as Mahaganpati in this temple is in sitting position with crossed legs and is facing towards east. The trunk is pointing to the left, has a broad forehead adorned with ruby in eyes and naval.

Statue of Riddhi and Siddhi is on both side of Ganesha idol. The temple is so designed that when sun rises its rays falls directly on the statue. Mahaganpati Temple at Ranjangaon is the most powerful representation of Lord Ganesha.

Mahaganpati - Ashtavinayak Lord Ganesha temple at Ranjangaon

Mahaganpati – Ashtavinayak Lord Ganesha temple at Ranjangaon

Legend

There was a sage named Gritsamad. One day he sneezed and from this was created a young boy. Sage brought him as his own son. He taught him Ganesha mantra. The boy started meditating intensely and pleased Lord Ganesha. Ganesha appeared before him and blessed him with three pura-s of gold, silver and iron. Thus the boy got the name Tripur, as he was owner of three pura-s. Ganesha also made him most powerful and he could not be defeated by any one except Lord Shiva himself. With this boon Gritsamad conquered Netherworld and headed towards heaven to conquer it. Gods were scared Lord Brahma hide in lotus and Lord Vishnu in Kshirsagar. Tripur took over mount Kailash and became the king of all the three world.  God were wondering how to get rid of Tripurasur. Lord Narad advised them to seek help of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha agreed to help them.

Ganesha disguised as  brahmin went to Tripurasura and told him that he is very enlightened brahmin, he could make three planes for him so that he would be able to go any where he wished to within minutes. Lord Ganesha also asked him to bring statue of Chintamani from mount kailash.

Tripurasur went to get the statue but, Shiva refused to give the statue. This made Tripurasura angry. There was a fierce battle between the two. Lord Shiva too realised that he was unable to defeat Tripurasura because he did not paid his respect to lord Ganesha.

Then Lord Shiva invoked Ganesha and on dong so from his mouth emerged Gajanan, and granted him boon. Ganesha directed Shiva how he could kill Tripurasura.

Shiva was asked to recite the Sahastranam and then direct an arrow at the 3 pura-s of Tripurasur. Lord Shiva followed the instruction and finally Tripurasura was defeated and the place where Lord Shiva invoked Ganesha he created a temple for him. The place where Lord Shiva himself sought blessing of Ganesha and destroyed Tripurasura is called Ranjangaon.

 

This concludes the Ashtavinayak story of Lord Ganesha. Hope you have enjoyed. Please do send your comments.

karna – a loyal friend

Karna, a loyal friend

On the onset of Mahabharata war, Kunti, mother of Karna met him and revealed his identity. She told him that Karna was Kunti’s son and asked him to take the side of Pandavas. He replied that he can’t betray his friend Duryodhana. Krishna also revealed his identity and asked him to join Pandava side. Krishna assured him that being the eldest Pandava, he will be given the crown of Hastinapur but  he refused this enormous offer for his friend Duryodhan. Though Krishna was sad with his decision but appreciated his loyalty.

 

Karna and Parshurama

Karna and Parshurama

 

https://ritsin.com/seven-unknown-facts-karna.html/

Vighneshwar Temple – Ashtavinayak – Lord Ganesha

Vighneshwar Temple at Ozar is one of the ashtavinayak Temple of Lord Ganesha. This Ganesha temple is located at Ozar which is 85 kms from Pune situated at Pune Nasik highway on the banks of river Kukadi. This temple is 7th temple to be visited into Ashtavinayak yatra.

Legend

According to Puran, there was a king named Abhinandan, who performed a sacrifice in which he did not give any offering to God King Indra. The infuriated Indra ordered Kala to destroy the sacrifice . Kala take the form of  the demon Vighnasura and created obstacles and ruined it. He went  a step further and destroyed all vedic religious acts to answer the people’s prayer for protection, which created havoc in universe.

 

Sages worshipped Lord Ganesha to save them from Vighnasura. After a fierce battle, Vighnasura realised that it was impossible to win so he surrendered. Demon then begged and pleaded with Lord Ganesha to show mercy. Ganesha granted his plea on a condition that he will not go to place where Ganesha worshipping is going on . In return he asked for a favour that his name should be taken before Ganesha’s name. Thus Ganesha here is known as Vighnahara or vighneshwar Vinayak.

Vighneshwar - Ashtavinayak

Vighneshwar – Ashtavinayak

 

About Temple and Idol

The temple  faces east and is surrounded by thick stone wall. The main hall is 20 feet long having entrance to north and south.too and has image of Ganesha. The inner hall is 10 feet long and has white marble mushika. The shikhar over the sanctum is covered with gold foil.

This is the only temple which has a golden dome with pinnacle.

 

Idol

The idol like all other ashtavinayak idols is self originated. The statue is east facing with trunk turned towards left, with rubies are studded in eyes , diamonds on forehead and some jewels in naval. Like all other idols of Ashtavinayak here also the idol is smeared with vermillion. Ganesha statue is surrounded with monkeys and parrots on trees. Idols of Riddhi and Siddhi are placed on two sides of Ganesha idol.

Girijatmaj temple – Lord Ganesha Ashtavinayak

Girijatmaj form of Lord Ganesha is important as he took this form to kill the demon Sindhu. It is believed that he spent twelve years of his life at lenyadri, then this place is considered as a holy place.

Girijatmaj Temple or Lenyadri Ganpati temple is 12 kms away from Narayangaon, which is 94 km from pune on Pune Nashik highway. This temple is one among the eight ashtavinayak temples. It is the sixth temple to be visited during ashtavinayak yatra.

It is the only temple located on mountain. There are various caves of Buddhist origin, among them 8th cave is the Lenyadri Ganpati temple. This temple is carved out of a single stone hill and has 307 steps.The temple has a wide hall of 53 feet long, 51 feet wide and 7 feet high dimension. A interesting fact about this hall is that the hall has no supporting pillars.

Girijatmaj - Ashtavinayak - Lord Ganesha

Girijatmaj – Ashtavinayak – Lord Ganesha

 

Idol and Temple

The idol of this temple is little different as it is not very well carved. The idol faces north with its back facing the worshipper. He face  is visible to the other side of the mountain. The  trunk is turned to its left with only one eye visible. Idol is covered with sindoor and is carved on the stone wall of cave.The temple facing east and has no electric bulb.  

Ganesha here is called Girijatmaj which means Atmaja or son of Girija or Parvati.

 

Legend

According to Ganesha purana, Parvati performed penance for 12 years in the caves of Lenyadri with the desire of having Ganesha as her son. Ganesha was pleased and granted her the boon she wanted. On Bhadrapada chaturthi, Parvati created a idol out of the sandal paste of her body. Suddenly the idol came alive. He was named Ganesha meaning a person who has control over all the three qualities Satva, Raja and Tama. Lord Shiva granted him a boon that whoever remembers him before any work will successfully complete the work. Ganesha grew up 15 years at Lenyadri, so this place is considered very holy.

He was born in Treta yuga to kill demon Sindhu. Demon king sent many demons like Krur, Balasur, Vyomasur, Kshmemme, Kushal etc to kill Ganesha, but Ganesha killed all of them in his childhood.

 

भगवान शिव के 108 नाम

१- ॐ भोलेनाथ नमः
२-ॐ कैलाश पति नमः
३-ॐ भूतनाथ नमः
४-ॐ नंदराज नमः
५-ॐ नन्दी की सवारी नमः
६-ॐ ज्योतिलिंग नमः
७-ॐ महाकाल नमः
८-ॐ रुद्रनाथ नमः
९-ॐ भीमशंकर नमः
१०-ॐ नटराज नमः
११-ॐ प्रलेयन्कार नमः
१२-ॐ चंद्रमोली नमः
१३-ॐ डमरूधारी नमः
१४-ॐ चंद्रधारी नमः
१५-ॐ मलिकार्जुन नमः
१६-ॐ भीमेश्वर नमः
१७-ॐ विषधारी नमः
१८-ॐ बम भोले नमः
१९-ॐ ओंकार स्वामी नमः
२०-ॐ ओंकारेश्वर नमः
२१-ॐ शंकर त्रिशूलधारी नमः
२२-ॐ विश्वनाथ नमः
२३-ॐ अनादिदेव नमः
२४-ॐ उमापति नमः
२५-ॐ गोरापति नमः
२६-ॐ गणपिता नमः
२७-ॐ भोले बाबा नमः
२८-ॐ शिवजी नमः
२९-ॐ शम्भु नमः
३०-ॐ नीलकंठ नमः
३१-ॐ महाकालेश्वर नमः
३२-ॐ त्रिपुरारी नमः
३३-ॐ त्रिलोकनाथ नमः
३४-ॐ त्रिनेत्रधारी नमः
३५-ॐ बर्फानी बाबा नमः
३६-ॐ जगतपिता नमः
३७-ॐ मृत्युन्जन नमः
३८-ॐ नागधारी नमः
३९- ॐ रामेश्वर नमः
४०-ॐ लंकेश्वर नमः
४१-ॐ अमरनाथ नमः
४२-ॐ केदारनाथ नमः
४३-ॐ मंगलेश्वर नमः
४४-ॐ अर्धनारीश्वर नमः
४५-ॐ नागार्जुन नमः
४६-ॐ जटाधारी नमः
४७-ॐ नीलेश्वर नमः
४८-ॐ गलसर्पमाला नमः
४९- ॐ दीनानाथ नमः
५०-ॐ सोमनाथ नमः
५१-ॐ जोगी नमः
५२-ॐ भंडारी बाबा नमः
५३-ॐ बमलेहरी नमः
५४-ॐ गोरीशंकर नमः
५५-ॐ शिवाकांत नमः
५६-ॐ महेश्वराए नमः
५७-ॐ महेश नमः
५८-ॐ ओलोकानाथ नमः
५४-ॐ आदिनाथ नमः
६०-ॐ देवदेवेश्वर नमः
६१-ॐ प्राणनाथ नमः
६२-ॐ शिवम् नमः
६३-ॐ महादानी नमः
६४-ॐ शिवदानी नमः
६५-ॐ संकटहारी नमः
६६-ॐ महेश्वर नमः
६७-ॐ रुंडमालाधारी नमः
६८-ॐ जगपालनकर्ता नमः
६९-ॐ पशुपति नमः
७०-ॐ संगमेश्वर नमः
७१-ॐ दक्षेश्वर नमः
७२-ॐ घ्रेनश्वर नमः
७३-ॐ मणिमहेश नमः
७४-ॐ अनादी नमः
७५-ॐ अमर नमः
७६-ॐ आशुतोष महाराज नमः
७७-ॐ विलवकेश्वर नमः
७८-ॐ अचलेश्वर नमः
७९-ॐ अभयंकर नमः
८०-ॐ पातालेश्वर नमः
८१-ॐ धूधेश्वर नमः
८२-ॐ सर्पधारी नमः
८३-ॐ त्रिलोकिनरेश नमः
८४-ॐ हठ योगी नमः
८५-ॐ विश्लेश्वर नमः
८६- ॐ नागाधिराज नमः
८७- ॐ सर्वेश्वर नमः
८८-ॐ उमाकांत नमः
८९-ॐ बाबा चंद्रेश्वर नमः
९०-ॐ त्रिकालदर्शी नमः
९१-ॐ त्रिलोकी स्वामी नमः
९२-ॐ महादेव नमः
९३-ॐ गढ़शंकर नमः
९४-ॐ मुक्तेश्वर नमः
९५-ॐ नटेषर नमः
९६-ॐ गिरजापति नमः
९७- ॐ भद्रेश्वर नमः
९८-ॐ त्रिपुनाशक नमः
९९-ॐ निर्जेश्वर नमः
१०० -ॐ किरातेश्वर नमः
१०१-ॐ जागेश्वर नमः
१०२-ॐ अबधूतपति नमः
१०३ -ॐ भीलपति नमः
१०४-ॐ जितनाथ नमः
१०५-ॐ वृषेश्वर नमः
१०६-ॐ भूतेश्वर नमः
१०७-ॐ बैजूनाथ नमः
१०८-ॐ नागेश्वर नमः
हर हर महादेव हर

Why Kartikeya is called Swaminatha

Lord Kartikeya is also known as Swaminatha and there is good reason behind that.

Once Kartikeya asked Lord Brahma the meaning of Om. Brahma tried to explain to him but he was not satisfied.

Later on, when Lord Shiva queries, he explained the whole episode to him. Lord Shiva told that he must learn from Lord Brahma, as he is the supreme creator.

kartikeya

Lord Kartikeya said that then Lord Shiva should explain him the meaning of Om.

Hearing this, Lord Shiva smiled and said, ‘Even I don’t know.’ Kartikeya then said, ‘Then I will tell you because I know the meaning of Om.’

Lord Shiva: ‘Then tell me the meaning since you know it’

Kartikeya: ‘I can’t tell you like this. You have to give me the place of the Guru. Only if you put me on the pedestal of the Guru can I tell you’, said Kartikeya.

Lord Shiva thought that Guru means he has to be in a higher position or platform. The teacher has to sit on a higher place and the student has to sit down and listen to him. But how can I find a seat higher than him, for he is the highest and greatest of Gods?’

So then Lord Shiva lifted the young Kartikeya on to His shoulders. And then in the ear of Lord Shiva, Lord Kartikeya explained the meaning of the Pranava Mantra (Om).

Kartikeya: ‘That the entire Creation is contained in Om. The Trinity – Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are contained in Om. This is the essence and also the secret of Om that Lord Kartikeya narrated to Lord Shiva.’

Upon hearing this, Goddess Parvati (Mother of Lord Kartikeya, and an incarnation of the Mother Divine) was elated and overcome with joy.

Goddess Parvati: ‘You have become a Guru (Swami) to my Lord (Natha)!’

Saying this she addressed her son as Swaminatha, and ever since Lord Kartikeya also came to be known as Swaminatha.

Seven unknown facts about Lord Kartikeya