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Girijatmaj Ashtavinayak Temple, Lenyadri Girijatmaj Ganesh Temple, Girijatmaj Temple in Maharashtra, All About Girijatmaj Temple

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Ashtavinayak - Girijatmaj - Introduction

Introduction

Image: 
Introduction: 
  
Girijatmaj Vinayak, the fifth among Ashtavinayak, is situated in a cave in Lenyadri Hills. It is at 5 km to the north of Junnar.
    
Ganesh Puran has referred to this place as Jirnpur and Lekhan Parvat while Sthal Puran has mentioned about it as Lenyadri. In another ancient inscription, it has also been called Kapichita.
    
There are 30 caves from east to west of which Cave No. 7 is that of Ganpati while the rest are Chaityas and Vihars pertaining to Buddhism.
    
This is the only temple among Ashtavinayak which is situated on a hill. One has to climb 307 stone steps to reach up to here.
   
The literal meaning of Girijatmaj is son of Parvati. The uniqueness of this Ganpati is that it has only 2 eyes.

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
Parvati, the wife of Shiv, had performed penance for 12 years to beget Ganesh as her son. Lord Ganesh appeared as a child and blessed Parvati with the fulfilment of her desire.
    
 It is believed that Girijatmaj (Ganesh) spent 15 years of his childhood at this place and it was here that Gautam Rishi performed his Mauji-Bandhan ritual (thread ceremony).
    
According to various Puranas, the demons sent by Sindhurasur like Kroor, Balasur, Vyomasur, Kshema etc were killed by Ganesh at this place.
   
According to local folklore, the form of Girijatmaj is one that fulfils desires. Whatever is asked of him with true faith is granted by him.
    
Lord Ganesh is considered as the controller of 3 qualities - Satva, Raj, and Tam. Besides, Lord Shiv himself bestowed on him the right to be worshipped first amongst all other Gods.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
In the early years of the Christian era, this region was a prominent Buddhist site where the Buddhist monks built a number of caves. They were largely associated with the Heenyan sect.
   
The caves of the Ganesh-series were built between the first and the third century when the Satvahans ruled the place.
   
According to historical descriptions, this region was developed as a Ganpati region during the ninth and tenth centuries.
   
In the 16th century, Raghav Chaitanyaji, the guru of Saint Tukaram meditated in Lenyadri for many years.
   
In the 17th century, the early years of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the gem of Marathas, spent his early years in this region.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
    
Girijatmaj Temple:
 
It is situated in the seventh cave of Lenyadri and faces the south. This cave temple has been carved out of 1 solid rock. The temple has 6 pillars and 2 half-pillars with animals carved on them. Small chambers have been built on both the sides of the sabhamandap (hall) for meditation. This sabhamandap is 17.37 metres long and 15.54 metres wide. The Ganesh idol is installed attached to the wall in one of the chambers. There is an idol of Hanuman to one side and that of Mahadev to the other.
    
Bheem ka Gada (mace):
 
It can be seen in cave no. 6. It is a stupa in the centre which is known as Bheem ka Gada. A loud echo of sound can be heard here.
    
Kukadi River valley:
 
The natural beauty here is quite scenic and appears even more attractive from heights. Vineyards of grapes, falls emerging from the hills, and greenery all around are something that catch the fancy of tourists.
    
Shivneri Fort:
 
This is 5 km from Junnar. Chhatrapati Shivaji was born in this fort in 1627 A.D. The view around all the sides of the fort is picturesque. This fort is considered as the symbol of Maratha pride.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Magh Chaturthi (January-February):
 
This is the biggest festival celebrated here and presents a beautiful integration of religion and local culture. On this occasion, non-stop singing of hymns for 7 days as well as a bullock cart race are organised besides Ganesh Puja. During this period the region takes the form of a fair.
   
Bhadra Chaturthi (August):
 
This Ganpati festival is also celebrated with great enthusiasm. It is worth noting that the Ganpati puja over here is not performed with grain as in other places but with Panchamrit. On this occasion mahapuja and singing of hymns are organised.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Dharamshalas
 
 Devsthan Yatri Niwas  Shri Lenyadri Ganpati Devsthan Trust, Gole
 Village, Tel: +91 - 02132 - 22760
   
Hotels:
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Silver Inn Hotel
 Address
 973, Near Cantonment Bazaar, Gaffar Baig Street, Pune
 Telephone
 +91 - 20 - 2634 0040
 Fax
 +91 - 20 - 2633 4458
   
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Varsha Hotel
 Address
 Near Ladkat Petrol Pump, Mangalwar Peth, Pune
 Telephone
 +91 - 20 - 2612 7450
   
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Bhakt Niwas
 Address
 Pali
 Telephone
 +91 - 02142 - 242263
   
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Ashoka Hotel
 Address
 Peshwe Park, Nilayam Cinema, Pune
 Telephone
 +91 - 20 - 2433 3222
 Fax
 +91 - 20 - 2433 8111
 E-mail
 Website
 www.hotelashoka.com
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Beverly Hill
 Address
 Plot No. 178, 179, 180, Lalla Nagar, Mount Carmel School, Pune
 Telephone
 +91 - 20 - 2683 7000
 Fax
 +91 - 20 - 268 3330
 E-mail
 Website
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Ashirwad Hotel
 Address
 16, Sadhu Vaswani Road, Police Station Road, Pune
 Telephone
 +91 - 20 - 2612 8585
 Fax
 +91 - 20 - 2612 6121
 E-mail
 Website
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Parichay Hotel
 Address
 1199/1-A, F. C. Road, Pune
 Telephone
 +91 - 20 - 2553 1511
 Website
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Park Ornate Hotel
 Address
 TCS and Siddharth Complex, Nagar Road, Pune
 Telephone
 +91 - 20 - 4100 2200
 Fax
 +91 - 20 - 4100 2222
 E-mail
 Website
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Central Park Hotel
 Address
 Bund Garden Road, Amar-Avinash Corporate City,
 Council Hall & Annexe, Pune
 Telephone
 +91 - 20 - 4010 4000
 Fax
 +91 - 20 - 2605 0211
 E-mail
 Website
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Gordon House
 Address
 132/2 A, University Road, Ganeshkhind, Pune
 Telephone
 +91 - 20 - 6604 4100
 Fax
 +91 - 20 - 6604 4244
 E-mail
 Website
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  1765 metres  60 mm
 19.1˚ N  73.5˚ E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct   Nov    Dec
 Maximum 
31
33
36
38
37
32
28
28
29
32
31
30
 Minimum
12
13
17
21
23
23
23
22
21
19
15
12
   
 
Important Information
The site of Shri Girijatmaj Vinayak is located near Junnar, 96 km from Pune and on the banks of Kukadi River. It is situated within the Sahyadri mountain range, on the Suleman Hills.
Tourists visit all year round, however the ideal time to visit is from September to February.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 02132
 Puja Timings  5.00 a.m.-12.00 p.m., 8.00-10.00 p.m.
 Police Assistance
  +91- 2132 - 222033
 Hospital &  Ambulance
  Dr. Mokshi Hospital
 Mangalwar Peth, Junnar, Tel: +91 - 2132 - 222076
 Currency  Exchange
 Bank of Maharashtra
 Dhoble Building, Sada Bazar, Junnar,
 Maharashtra - 410 502
 Tel: +91 - 2132 - 222120
 Canara Bank
 Chandipur, Junnar, Maharashtra - 410 502
 Tel: +91 - 2132 - 222 089
 ATM Centre  Bank of Maharashtra Branch
 Sudharani Complex, Kalyan Nagar, Highway,
 Junnar, Dist-Pune, Maharashtra - 412 411
 Post Office
 Dhoble Building, Sada Bazar, Junnar - 410 502
 Tel: +91 - 2132 - 222 120
 Tourist Office
  MTDC Tourist Office
 Central Building, I-Block, Pune - 400 001
 Tel: +91 - 20 - 2437 3277
 Shopping
 Puja articles, raisins, dry-fruits etc.
   
 
Food
There are 3-4 good restaurants near the parking in Lenyadri. Meals are available on thali basis.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf icongirijatmaj.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
Mumbai
Pune
Railway: 
  1. Main Railway Stations
 Station Code
 Mumbai CST  CSTM
 Lokmanya Tilak(T)  LTT
 Ahmednagar  ANG
 Pune  Pune
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Mahad  Mumbai  193 km
 Pune  74 km
 Pali

 

  Mumbai  335 km
 Pune  115 km
 Ozar  Mumbai  171 km
 Pune  82 km
 Lenyadri  Mumbai  148 km
 Pune  102 km
 Theur  Mumbai  201 km
 Pune  25 km
 Siddhtek  Mumbai  275 km
 Pune  100 km
 Morgaon  Mumbai  250 km
 Pune  71 km
 Ranjangaon  Mumbai  225 km
 Pune  50 km

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