The Novel Joys Of Ashtavinayak From Nashik

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The Ashtavinayaka is difficult to define. The word literally means “eight Ganeshas” in Sanskrit, and denotes the eight distinct Ganesh idols that are housed in various very sacred and important temples in towns all over the state of Maharashtra. Each temple is unique in its own way, each idol with its own legends and myths. Learning about these myths and stories is just as fascinating as actually visiting each of these temples. Visit these temples with the Ashtavinayak tour from Nashik.

Visiting all eight Ganapati’s in the Ashtavinayak route means you are well on your way to achieving true spirituality! The idols in each of these eight temples are called “Swayambhu” effigies, meaning they were found formed naturally, and not sculpted intentionally!

The most important of the eight temples is the one in Morgaon. Popularly called the Mayureshwar Ganpati temple, this shrine to God is said to have been constructed during the Bahmani reign and is situated in the center of the village as are most ancient temples. To prevent attacks on the temple from Mughal rulers, the people of the village constructed four minarets around the temple to disguise it as a mosque. The unique thing about this temple is the Nandi perched just outside the temple entrance—usually we find Nandi in front of Shiva temples only, but this temple is unique! Don’t forget to make sure that you add this in your itinerary for your Ashtavinayak yatra from Nashik.

Siddhivinayak temple in Siddhatek is also just as unique in its own way. It is the only temple out of the eight in which the Ganesh idol has its trunk positioned to the right instead of the left side. This uniquely right-trunked Ganesha is said to be very strict in his beliefs and expectations of devotees, and so, to complete one pradakshina of the temple, you will have to make a round trip of the hillock that the temple sits on—this will take you about 30 minutes to complete! Visit these temples with the Ashtavinayak tour from Nashik.

Ballaleshwar Ganpati rests in Pali, where stories say that Lord Ganesh saved a young boy named Ballala from being beaten to death by the villagers—the God was summoned simply by the boy’s devotions and desperate prayers. The idol that is the center of this temple is somehow very similar to the shape of the mountain which lies behind the temple.

These are only four of the eight most important Ganapati temples in India—there is nothing more fulfilling than visiting these temples on the Ashtavinayak tour from Nashik and letting yourself be stunned by the sheer depth and magnitude of the Hindu religion and faith.