The
Ballaleshwar Vinayak temple at Pali
is located at a distance of about 160 km from Pune.
Palicha
Shri Ballaleshwara is considered to be one of the
Ashta Vinayak shrines of Maharashtra, celebrating
eight instances of legends related to Ganesha.
Legend
has it that a demon by name Vignaasura created obstacles
to every good deed performed by the sages and the
other inhabitants of the world. Responding to the
pleas of the sages, Ganesha set out to battle the
demon Vignaasura who quickly realizing his weakness
surrendered to Ganesha, and agreed to stop his misdeeds.
He also requested Ganesha to take up the name Vigneshwar
in connection with his surrender. Legend also has
it that the very same sages installed an image of
Vigneshwara at Ozar on Ganesh Chaturti and offered
worship.
The Temple
: An
east facing image of Ganesha flanked by his consorts Siddhi
and Riddhi is enshrined in this grand temple which has interesting
features such as a spacious courtyard, a grand entrance,
sculptural and mural work. The image of Ganesha is decorated
with precious and semi precious stones.
1. In Sudhagad
taluka of Raigad district,near the village Nagothane,
Shri Ballaleshwar is situated in the village Pali.
It is at a distance of 30 kms. from Karjat. 1. From
Mumbai via Panvel & Khopoli, Pali is at a distance
of 124 kms. Pali via-Panvel-Pen-Wadkhal-Nagothane
& wakhen is at distance of 120 kms.
2. From Pune via Lonavla & Khopoli, Pali is at
a distance of 111 kms.
3. Regular bus services are available from Mumbai,
Pune, Khopoli, Karjat & Pnvel.
The rooms at Bhakta
Niwas (Tel: 02142-242263 & Tariff: Rs 250)
are clean, and they are the only option at Pali. For
food, Brahmins in the village provide good Maharashtrian
meals (approx Rs 40 per thali). Temple
officials or roadside vendors can tell visitors how
to reach them.
The two festivals
celebrated here during Bhadrapada & Magha (Shudha
Pratipada to Panchami). It is the experience of many
devotees that Ballaleshwara fulfills all their desires
& demands. Hence worshippers throng this kshetra
either to express their desires & to thank him
after their desires are fulfilled.
"Whoever comes here on Bhadrapada Shudha Chaturti
& has my darshan, all his desires will be fulfilled."
is the boon given by Ganesh to Ballal. On the night
of Bhadrapada Chaturthi there is Mahanaivedyam &
on Panchami there is Annasantarpan.
Devotees make 21 pradakshinas (holy rounds) of Ganapati
to get their desires fulfilled & problems solved.
There is a firm belief
among the devotees that at midnight of Magha Shudha
Chaturthi Shree Gajanan actually comes to the temple
to physically parttake the food offered as Naivedyam.
Hence there is heavy rush then.
As per advise of Lomesh
Rishi, Jajali Muni performed Ganesh Varta for four months
drinking only milk. Due to that Ballaleshwar appeared before
him. Jajali induced Vibhandaka Rishi who also completed
Ganesh Varta & had Ballaleshwar's darshan on Kartiki
Purnima.
PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST AROUND PALI
1. Hot water springs at village Unheri are at a distance
of 4kms.from Pali.
2. Bhoraidevi on fort Sudhagad is at a distance of 15 kms.
from Pali. It is a spiritually.
