Ganpati at Lenyadri Caves and Hills

Company of loved ones, dark clouds covering whole of the sky, long drive, what else can one ask for on a weekend! Inadvertently, if the cam goes off, that's certainly you wouldn't appreciate. :( Desperation gives way to creativity, and there we were clicking the pics with the strength of all our senses put together. 

From Ozar Ganpati temple, we headed to Ganpati Teample at Lenyadri Hills, which is a series of 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves near Junnar Taluka, approx 90 km from Pune. This place is also known as "Sulaiman Pahar (mountain) or Ganesh Pahar". These caves have been created in 1st - 3rd century AD as a Buddhist monastery. Group of 30 caves contains two large shrines - chaitya griha (Cave 6-14) and one small chaitya. Other caves were created as dwellings for monks - viharas. Most viharas consist of verandah, central hall and cells arranged around the central hall. Although of smaller dimensions when compared to Ajanta, Ellora, Bhaja caves. 

Later on, one of the Buddhist dwellings was turned into a popular shrine of Hindu god Ganesh, which is one of the Ashtavinayak shrines at the Cave 7. Some also name as Shri Girijatmaj Lenyadri Ganapati. It is said that in this particular cave Devi Parvati performed tapascharya for twelve long years for the gain of a son. After her long tapascharya, Lord Ganesh himself came before her. It is said that Lord Ganesha’s childhood took place in the Lenyadri mountains. It was his playground. So the name of the idol ‘Girijatmaj’ comes as ‘Girija’ meaning Devi Parvati and ‘Aatmaj’ meaning Son. Lenyadri carries an ancient myth which says that when the great Pandavas were living in agyatvas during their 13th year of exile, they sculptured these caves in just one night. 

How to reach Lenyadri 

Lenyadri Hill and Temple Map

By road from Pune: On the Pune Nasik Road passing through Chakan, Rajgurunagar, Manchar, Narayangaon to Junnar one can reach Lenyadri Ganpati. Junnar is the town closest to Lenyadri. Maharashtra state Transport buses also ply from Mumbai and Pune to Junnar. The distance between in Junnar to Lenyadri is 5km and this can be covered either by autorickshaw, car or jeeps that are easily available.

One can go by any vehicle to the base of hills further to which you have approx 300 stone cut steps arranged in ten flights, to take you to the top of the hill. The Palkhi or Doli (human carriage) service also offered 200 INR per person to the needy people till the top, that is one of the source of employment to locals. It is recommended to have water bottle while going up, as there is no shop up or on the stairways. As soon as we started climbing, little shower welcomed us, and after moving more up, strong wind made it harder to walkup, though enjoyable.

The place looks really eye-catching during monsoon season and ask us to be there for long. This holy place is encircled by a series of hills on all sides, and Shivneri Fort can also be adored from this place. The temple and the neighbouring caves are in possession of The Archaeology Department of India. The entry fee (darshan) is charged as Rs. 5 for the pilgrims and tourists.

So be it the quick trek, visit to the holy place, discover the history of caves in India, or a family or friends group tour, it attracts all. Anmol, Meenal, Anshul including me enjoyed the day so far, and next moved toward Bheemashanker Jyotirling.

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Shree Vighanahar Ganpati Temple, Ozar

Yippee, our Monsoon Express moved towards the north of Pune to pay regards to Ganpati at Ozar (Shree Vighnahar Ganapati Mandir), Lenyadri Caves and Bheemashankar. The Ganapati Temple at Ozar is one among the Ashtavinayak shrines of Maharashtra, called as Vigneshwar (The Lord of Vigna/obstacles). Lord Shree Vighanahar (can be searched at google) defeated the demon of obstacles, Vignasura; hence the name.

It is about 90 km from Pune and 140 from Nashik. The holy place is about 110 km from Ahmednagar in east, and 125 km away from Kalyan near Mumbai in west. Another Ashtavinayak shrine of Lenyadri, is just about 9 km, that we covered the very same day. Below map shows the routes from different directions, along with the one which we followed from Pune as: 

Pune - Rajguru Nagar Toll - Khed - Manchar - Pimpalgaon Tarfa Narayangaon - Ozar

View Shree Vighanahar Ganpati Temple, Ozar in a larger map

The day started with August showers. With eye-soothing and heart-loving views, the journey was easy and within no time we were at Ozar Ganpati. Just near the parking area we noticed an adorable view of Vighnahar Boating Center; which was closed due to heavy monsoon. This area comes within Yadegaon Dam. 

The temple's entrace is well decorated and eye-catchy, with two large stone gatekeepers, two elephants, two sages, and four musician sages on the wall. As you enter, you will find two giant lamp towers on either sides of the gate. Could only imagine the beauty of all the lamps glowing together! The colorful temple walls, possess en-carved sculptures and different images of Lord Ganesha. The main temple located at the center of premises, has three tiny entrances and inside that you can worship all eight Ashtavinayak Ganpati painted on the ceiling. One can view Shivneri Fort and Lenyadri Caves hill from the huge walls marking the premises. Not to worry on the climbing bit, they do have ladders! 

Just outside the temple, you can have quick visit to Gablibaba temple, and Hanuman temple. Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated in great splendor and thousands of devotees come over to pay regards. Once out of the temple, our creativity took its turn and we were all set again for clicking and posing for pics. Post a quick explore of the Dam, we paused for a cup of tea and homemade sandwiches. With the start of day with Ganapati Darshan, day was bound to be good. And there it went.  :) We started for Lenyadri Caves Ganpati Temple and the showers too.  

Visit another famous AshtavinayakRanjangaon Mahaganapati near Shirur.

P.S. Just to give an idea to the readers, you may want to plan a full day trip nearby as below:

Cover Ozar Ganpati, Lenyadri caves Ganpati and Shivneri Fort. or 

Cover Ozar Ganpati, Lenyadri caves Ganpati and Bheemashanker.

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Mahaganapati Ashtavinayak Temple - Ranjangaon

After Alibaag our monsoon express visited the nearby places of Shirur located between Pune and Ahmednagar. It was a day long drive with occasional monsoon drizzles. Four of us started the journey on two bikes, Tarachand & Komal on one and Meenal & myself on the other. We traversed through the below route:

View Mahaganapati Temple in a larger map

Pune - Lonikand - Koregaon Bhima - "Sanaswadi" - Shikrapur - "Ranjangaon" - Shirur - "Ramling" Old Shirur - Annapur - Takli Haji - "Nighoj Potholes" - Malthan - Chincholi Morachi - Ganegaon - Shikrapur - Pune

Shri Bhairavnath Temple, Sanaswadi

This was our unplanned stoppage, but the temple is on the roadside and quite colorful to attract the people passing-by. The temple is located between Koregaon Bhima and Shikrapur on the way to Shirur. Shri Bhairavnath is village deity. This village celebrate annual village fair in the name said deity on 2nd day of Chaitra Krishna Pakshya. All villagers celebrate the said fate with enthusiasm. On the first day of fair there are bullock cart races and on the second day, wrestling competitions are arranged. 

Within the same premises, we have Jogeshwari Prasanna and Shani Dev temples. Unlike other states, females are prohibited to go to Shani Dev temple in Maharashtra. We got the "Jalebi" as the prasad to visit this place. We wish, we could get this even more! You can visit this place while going to Shirdi, Shani Shingnapur or Aurangabad from Pune. 

Ranjangaon Mahaganpati Devasthan:

Ranjangaon village is located about 50 km from Pune on the way to Shirdi, enroute to Aurangabad. While going from Pune - Nagar highway, the route is Pune - Koregaon Bhima - then via Shikrapur Rajangaon is 21 km before Shirur. 

Ranjangaon Mahaganpati is one among the Ashtavinayak shrines of Maharashtra, celebrating eight instances of legends related to Ganesha. Outside the temple, there is small market, offering prasad, garlands, coconuts and other holy offerings for Mahaganpati. This cute idol of Lord Ganesh is also named as 'Mahotkat'; portrayed on a lotus, flanked by his consorts Riddhi and Siddhi. 

The temple is quite crowded on weekends and holy festivals, and you may have to wait for more than 30 mins for paying a visit. One also has an option of fast darshan by paying INR 50; however, the local villagers are previleged for having a direct entry to the main temple. There are a few colorful paintings on the walls depicting stories of Indian Gods & Goddesses.

Just near the parking lot, there are two decorated idols of elephants adding beauty to this holy place. While we were busy admiring these beautiful creations touching their neck bells and capturing photos, we noticed a giraffe peeping from behind. In anxiety, we headed to explore more, and found sculptures of rhino, zebra, lion, tiger in the garden. Best was the tiger whose eyes were quite frightening. This park serves not only as a picnic spot to the localities (you can easily spot people relishing home made snacks), but also a place for relaxation for workers (catching an afternoon nap in the calm & serene environment). 

Further more a huge entrance is under construction, which will make the place, easy to be identified for the tourists. Photography and videography inside the temple is not allowed. Ganesha Chaturti is celebrated in great splendor and thousands of devotees come over to pay their regards. We had our breakfast in the temple restaurant, wheeled ahead in search of "natural potholes near Takli Haji".

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