Mahad (Ashtavinayaka)
Mahad is Seventh temple in Ashtavinyaka Yatra & this Lord Ganesh is known as Varad Vinayak which means the one who blesses all the wishes. Add to it, the temple is situated in a very scenic place which has a great peaceful environment. The temple is a small shrine amidst the bamboo trees and is dedicated to Shri Dattatreya and Varad Vinayak, Shiv Mandir. This temple idol of VaradVinayak is Swayambhu ; is 8 feet long and 8 feet broad and Purvabhimukh (east facing), trunk of Ganapati turnes left. Original idol can be seen outside the sanctum. But now there are two idols one is inside the sanctum and other is outside the sanctum. It is believed that there is Nandadeep which is burning continuously since 1892.
VaradVinayak gives us bounty and success. It is a very simple small temple & the best part of the temple is that you can go inside the Gabhara and personally touch Lord Ganesha’s Murti. At north side of the temple a gomukh is there. Holy pond is at westside of temple.
Every Bhadrapad Shuddh Pratipada to Shuddha Panchami, Maghi Pratipada to Panchami, Shravan Krushnashtami, Dahihandi, Holi, Dasara are celebrated here. In Chaturmas starts from Ashadh marathi month there is Puran Pravachan . There is palanquin procession of Ganapati across the village.
Temple opens at 5.30 am. to 9.00 pm. today in the mandir area there are Navgrah mandir, Dattatray Mandir, Shiv Mandir is at right side of VaradVinayak.It is also believed that whatever you wish here comes true, so why wait? Now days there is Bhaktaniwas, to live devotees.
How to go here:
From Mumbai – Pune old way via Khopoli. distance is 169 km. require 3-4 hrs. to reach Mahad. Hired car /own car or Ashtavinayak Yatra Travell bus are good source.
PC: Unknown