Location
: 50-km From Pune, Maharashtra
Presiding Deity: Mahaganapati (Ganapati)
Shrine Was Built By: Madhavrao Peshwa
Ranjangaon is a small
village located around 50 kms away from Pune on the Pune-Aurangabad
Highway, which houses a temple where the deity is known as
Mahaganapati because of the size of the statue. The statue has ten
trunks and twenty arms. It is believed that Mahaganpati was hidden
to prevent its destruction from non-believers. This temple is
visited by thousands of devotees during the Bhadrapad festival.The
Legend
According to
the legend it is believed that a demon called Tripurasur pleased the
Lord with years of penance. Lord pleased with the penance granted
him in return, a boon of protection and amulets of iron, silver and
gold. Tripurasura built three powerful citadels (the evil Tripuram
forts); with a boon of invincibility granted to him by Shivaa. The
demon started harassing the Gods and the rishis (sages). He could be
killed only with a single arrow from Lord Shivaa's quiver.
The Gods
obviously had to turn to Shivaa. A war between Mahadev and the demon
ensued on the mountains. Mahadev finally defeated Tripurasur with a
single arrow demolishing his three amulets. The indebted Lord Shivaa
built a "Mahaganapati" temple in honour of Ganesha.
The Temple
Madhavrao
Peshwa built the temple's shrine, while the General of Indore built
the hall. The idol is placed in a lotus its trunk is turned towards
the left. The images of Ganapati's wives - Riddhi and Siddhi- rest
on his two sides. There is a smaller idol placed in the basement. He
is also known as Tripurarivade Mahaganpati.
Festivals
Ganesha
Chaturti is celebrated in great splendour over here.
HOW TO GET
THERE
Ranjangaon is
easily accessible by road from Pune. Tourists can get down at Pune
airport and take bus to Ranjangaon. There are also special buses,
which are called Astha Vinayak darshan, which takes tourists to all
the eight temples, run by government of Maharashtra and also private
operators.
