Vinayaka Chaviti (Ganesh Chaturthi) - Holy Temple Towns Of Ganesha

Ashtavinayakas – the eight Swayambhu Ganesh temples, all in Maharashtra - are of great importance to Hindu pilgrims.

Shree Mayureshwar/ Moreshwar

Located at Moregaon, about 65 kilometres, south/south-east of Pune.

This temple was built in the fourteenth century by Morya Gosavi. According to legend, Ganesh took birth as Mayureshwar riding a peacock to kill Sindhu, son of Chakrapani, who had become powerful by worshipping Surya but was attacking the gods and had imprisoned them in the city of Gandaki. Moregaon is the place where the head of Sindhu fell.

Shree Chintamani

Located at Theur, about 25 kilometres East from Pune, on National Highway No. 9.

Morya Gosavi attained Siddhi here and his son built the temple to commemorate the event. According to the legend King Abhijit and his wife Gunavati had a son called Gana, on his visit to saga Kapila he coveted the Chintamani (wish fulfilling stone) which Kapila used to fulfill his wishes. Kapila refused to part with the stone but Gana took it forcibly, Durga advised Kapila to worship Ganesh. With the powers of the worship Kapila fought and killed Gana, Abhijit returned the jewel to Kapila but he did not it. Ganesh stayed on the spot under the Kadamba tree and called himself Chintamani.

Shree MahaGanesh

Situated at Ranjangaon, 54 kilometres from Pune.

This temple is known as MahaGanesh or Ganesh the Great. The original idol was very big but was hidden to prevent its destruction and the present day smaller idol was installed instead. As per the legend Tripurasura born from the nostrils of Gritsamada when he sneezed. Tripurasura worshipped Ganesh and conquered the three worlds. Ganesh had told that only Shiva can destroy Tripurasura. The gods went to Shiva who fought Tripurasura but could not defeat him, then Narada told Shiva that he should have worshiped Ganesh before he fought Tripurasura, after that Shiva made the appropriate prayer to Ganesh and succeeded, and in gratitude Shiva established Ganesh there as Maha Ganesh.