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.
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.