Ashta Vinayak Yatra - March, 2021 (Part 1)

Our Yatra group of 8 families was very keen on doing the Ashta Vinayak yatra for quite some time. The Ashta Vinayak Yatra refers to a pilgrimage to the eight temples dedicated to Lord Ganesh (son of Shiva & Parvati) that are situated around Pune in Maharashtra. In February of 2021, we firmed up our plans to do this yatra in end March, 2021. The yatra was planned to coincide with Holi festival so that minimum leave is taken by working people.

In the beginning, 6 couples decided to join the yatra. The other 2 couldn't join due to personal reasons. As the travel date came closer, 2 more couples dropped off due to close family members getting Covid19. The rest of us i.e. 4 couples were determined not to miss the opportunity. Also, we felt that we should complete the yatra before the 2nd outbreak of Covid19 results in a stringent lockdown situation like 2020.

So, on 28th March, 2021 we 8 yatris started our Ashtavinayak yatra at 7 a.m. after chanting "Ganpati Bappa Morya" and seeking His blessings for a safe & successful yatra. We had hired a light commercial vehicle (Force Traveller) for the yatra. It was a 22 seater air-conditioned vehicle driven by a young driver called Raju.

We first drove towards Mahad to have darshan of the VaradVinayak (Vinayak who gives boons to His devotees). On the way, our driver played nice Tamil religious songs which made us feel we were driving around in Tamil Nadu. We reached Mahad by 8.30 a.m. and were dropped off right outside the temple.

The temple is situated in a scenic place with a small pond beside the temple. Behind the temple is a small temple of Shri Dattatreya and of Shani, Rahu & Ketu along with Hanuman. The temple also has a Yatri Niwas (lodge) and offers subsidised meals to all yatris. The entire village has come up in the area around the temple.

Mahad village is situated in Khalapur taluka of Raigad District. Legend has it that a Rishi by name Vachaknavi was visited by a ruler by name Rukmangada, and during the visit, the Rishipatni Mukundaa expressed her attraction to the king. The king turned her down leaving her seething in anger. In the meanwhile, Indra, the king of the Devas came down to the earth in the disguise of Rukmangada and accepted her amorous moves. 

An illegitimate son Grutshmadha was born out of their union. The son, learning of the story of his birth was grief stricken, and prayed to Ganesha in Bhadrakavana for absolvement of the sins of everyone concerned. His prayers were granted by Varadavinayak of Bhadrakavana (now Mahad).

Shree Dhondu Paudkar in 1690 A.D found the swayambhu idol of Shree Varadvinayak in a lake. This idol was kept in a nearby goddess temple for some time. Afterwards in 1725 A.D Varadvinayak temple was built by Peshva Sardar Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar & he gifted this to the Village.

Varadavinayak is portrayed, seated on an east facing throne. Stone images of his consorts Siddhi and Riddhi are also seen in the temple. A lamp in this temple is said to have been glowing uninterrupted for over a hundred years.

The temple was unusually empty when we arrived probably due to Covid19 fears and the fact that we arrived early in the morning. After a comfortable darshan, we could circumambulate the temple clockwise, chant our prayers and offer our prostrations to Him.

After this we took pictures outside the temple, some of which are posted here in this blog. We then had our packed Breakfast comprising of Idlis, Vadas with chutney followed by masala tea from a nearby restaurant.

After this, we departed around 10 a.m. to our next destination which was Pali.