Ranjangaon
is a village located at a distance of about 50 km
from Pune, enroute to Aurangabad in Maharashtra,
and it houses a shrine to Mahaganapati.
Ranjangaoncha Mahaganapati
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 Tripurasura
built three powerful citadels (the evil Tripuram
forts); with a boon o invincibility granted to him
by Shiva he caused suffering to all beings in the
heavens and on earth. Upon hearing the fervent appeals
of the Gods, Shiva intervened, and realized that
he could not defeat the demon. It was upon hearing
Narada Muni's advice that Shiva saluted Ganesha
and then shot a single arrow that pierced through
the citadels, bringing an end to the demon.Shiva,
the slayer of the Tripura citadels is enshrined
at Bhimashankaram nearby.
A variation of this legend is commonly known
in South India. Ganesha is said to have caused the axle
in Shiva's chariot to break, as the latter headed to battle
the demon without saluting Ganesha before he set out. Upon
realizing his act of omission, Shiva saluted his son Ganesha,
and then proceded victoriously to a short battle against
the powerful demon. (See Acharapakkam) - an ancient temple
in Tamilnadu glorified by the 1st millennium tamil hymns
enshrining Shiva associated with this legend, as well as
Tiruvirkolam and Tiruvatikai - both over 1200 years old,
associated with the legend of Tripurasamhaaram).
(The tamil lines of 15th century saint poet Arunagirinathar:
Muppuram eri seida, Acchivan urai ratham, acchadu podi seida
athi deera' where he describes Ganesha as the valiant hero,
who caused the axle of Shiva's chariot to crumble to dust,
as Shiva headed out to destroy Tripurasura, narrate this
legend.)
The Temple : Managanapati
is potrayed, seated on a lotus, flanked by his consorts
Siddhi and Ridhi. The temple dates back to the period of
Peshwa Madhav Rao.
Festivals : As
with all other Vinayak temples, Ganesha Chaturti is celebrated
in great splendor here.
The Bhakta
Niwas (Tel: 02138-243200 & Tariff: Rs 250)
has decent rooms, though it is best to drive down
to Pune for stay and food. There are only some small
lodges outside the temple.
In Ranjangaon, villagers do not bring
Ganesh idol in their houses, instead everybody comes
in the temple for Ganesh pooja,in the month of Bhadrapada.The
Ganesh festival is celebrated for first six days.
In the first four days palanquin of
Shree Mahaganapati is taken to different places in
the village. It is called as Dwaryatra'.For the first
four days villagers
are allowed to enter the sanctum & perform pooja
on their own.
On the fifth day Mahaprasadis distributed among the
devotees. In the afternoon boxing competitions (kusti)
are held in the village. On the sixth day devotees
take darshan of murti & then go to Mahaganapati's
temple by performing Lotangan (prostration) on the
way.(lotangan means proceeding by rolling one's self
over & over).
Temple facing east has huge & beautiful entrance
gate. Idols of two door keepers namely Jay &vijay
are present near
the gateway. Nagarkhana is situated above the entrance
gate. This Nagarkhana was inaugarated by Maharashtra's
honourable Chief Minister Shri Monohar Joshi on 3rd
May,1997.
Main temple looks like temple from
Peshwa's period. Temple is so constructed that sun
rays fall directly on Shree Ganesha's idol. Since,
this temple was on his way to war, Shreemant Madhavrao
Peshwa used to halt here have
Mahaganapati's darshan. He had constructed
a stone sanctum around this swayambhu or self emanated
idol. In 1790
A.D he gave a hereditary right to
perform pooja of Mahaganapati to shri Anyaba Dev.
Temple hall was built by Sardar Kibe
& Owaris (several small apartments
erected along the course of enclosing wall of temple)
were built by Sardar Pawar &
Shinde. Famous hermit Morya Gosavi had presented an
idol made of five metals to Shri Anyaba Dev. This
idol is taken out in procession on festive days.
Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj had given a grant
to this temple.Similarly Madhavrao Peshwe,Malharrao Holkar,
Mahadji Shinde had also given charities.
From the year 1942 administration of the temple is suprvised
by trustees appointed by court.
Abhishek (Rs.11), Sahastravartan (Rs.101/-),Satyavinayak
Pooja (Rs.51/-), etc. virtuous work are done by temple trust.
Lodging arrangements of devotees can be done by temple
trust. Single room & common hall are available for the
purpose. Address for advance booking.Shree kshetra Ranjangaon
Ganapati Devastan Trust Tal.Shirur,Dist: Pune.
Chief Trustee & ancestral Poojary of Ranjangaon Ganapati
is Vasant MOreshwar Dev. He can arrange for all virtuous
deeds like Abhishek,Sahasravartan etc. Lodging & Boarding
arrangements can be made by him.
Annapurna Bhojanalaya is available in temple complex. A
beautiful garden namely Swanand Udyan is being prepared
outside the temple.
Temple is open for Darshan from 5.30 A.M. to 10.00 P.M.
Rs. 101/- are charged for video Shooting & Rs.51/-
are charged for photography.
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Deva
Country: India
Rating:
A fairly good piece of information. Minute details can be added & most importantly updated also!
Yogesh Gaikawad
Country: India
Rating:
mala mahaganpati ganpati mandirache photos . samorun, sidehun . please i request him.
