The festival of Ganeshotsav 2018 starts tomorrow, September 13. As people are already gearing up to bring in their favourite deity home, some also make it a point to visit the Ashtavinayaka, the eight Ganesha pilgrimage in Maharashtra. It is a yatra that includes ancient temples of Lord Ganesha situated in different districts. Each idol is distinct in its form and there is a sequence of the Yatra to follow. Lord Ganesha and His 108 Names! From Vinayaka to Maheshaya, Chant These Names on Ganesh Chaturthi 2018!

Lord Ganesha is considered a remover of obstacles, so before starting anything new, people worship and perform puja of him. Ashtavinayak in Marathi means 'eight Ganeshas.' Each of the temples has a legend associated with it. These 8 idols have been formed and carved in nature by nature, thus the form of each of the Ganpati and their tusks differ. So these Swayambhu temples hold a special significance. Thus a lot of believers make it a point to visit them and conduct the Ashtavinayak Yatra. Let us tell you more about these 8 holy Ganesh temples in Maharashtra. Lalbaugcha Raja 2018 HD Photos for Free Download. 

Here is the Ashtavinayak Yatra map:

Ashtavinayak Yatra map (Photo credits: google Maps)

Look at the Asthavinayak Temples According to the Yatra Sequence:

Moreshwar Temple, Morgaon

Moreshwar Ganpati (Photo credits: Facebook)

The Moreshwar temple is the first temple of Ashtavinayak and is very important place on the Ashtavinayak route. The construction of the temple is unique, it has four minarets around, and the temple is about 50 feet tall. According to the legend, Ganpati murti was consecrated by Lord Brahma after it was destroyed by a demon. The original murti was small in size and made out of sand, iron and diamonds. The temple is situated 55km from Pune in the village Morgaon.

Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek

Siddhivinayak Ganpati (Photo credits: Facebook)

The only Ashtavinayak temple located in Ahmednagar district is known for the unique murti. It is the only idol among the eight idols which has the trunk positioned to the right. The idol is 3 feet tall, not a wide stomach. Ganesh idol with his trunk at the right side is said to be very strict with his devotees. One round (pradakshina) around the temple takes 30 minutes. The temple is located off the Pune-Solapur highway in Srigonda town.

Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali

Ballaleshwar Ganpati (Photo credits: Facebook)

The Balleshwar temple is famous because it is the only temple known by the name of its devotee. The legend states a boy named Ballal was beaten up by people for his extreme devotion to Lord Ganesha. He was saved by the Ganesha and then Ballal insisted him to stay back in the village. Lord Ganesha is said to have disappeared in a large stone here. This temple is built in a way that sunrays directly fall on the Ganesh idol after sunrise. The Ballaleshwar temple is located in Pali, off the Mumbai-Pune expressway.

Varadavinayak Temple, Mahad

Varad-Vinayak Ganpati (Photo credits: Facebook)

The Varadvinayak temple idol is said to have an oil lamp burning continuously since the year 1892. The design of this temple is very elaborate with four elephants on four sides and the dome has cobra design. In this temple, devotees are allowed to pay their respects closer to the idol, they can pray in the immediate vicinity of the idol. It is located near Khopoli and closest one to Mumbai. It is near to Khopoli. Ganeshotsav 2018: 7 Popular Ganpati Pandals in Mumbai to Visit This Festive Season. 

Chintamani Temple, Theur

Chintamani Ganpati (Photo credits: Facebook)

This temple was called Kadambanagar earlier. This temple was built more than a 100 years ago by the Peshwas. The Chintamani of Theur was their family deity. This idol has diamonds in its eyes. The temple is located off the Pune-Solapur highway. It is the nearest Ashtavinayak temple from Pune. Ganpati 2018 Date: Significance, History, Importance, Rituals & Why is the Festival of Lord Ganesha Celebrated for 10 Days. 

Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri

Girijatmaj Ganpati (Photo credits: Facebook)

This temple is located within a temple complex of 18 caves of Buddhist origin. The temple is in the 8th cave and is spectacular. It is carved out of a single stone hill, about 53 feet long and 7 feet in height. The temple gets its source of light from the sun rays. This idol does not appear to be well carved like other idols. Situated in Narayangaon, it is located on Pune-Nashik highway.

Vighnahar Temple, Ozar

Vigneshwara Ganpati (Photo credits: Facebook)

The legend behind this temple states that Lord Ganesha defeated a demon named Vighnasur. The demon asked for mercy and Ganesha said he could not go anywhere where Ganesha worship is ongoing. In return, Vighnasur asked that his name be taken before Ganesha's name thus giving the name Vighneshwar. This Ganesh idol has rubies in its eyes and a diamond on its forehead. The temple is located on the banks of river Kukadi in Ozar town, off the Pune-Nashik Highway.

Mahaganapati Temple, Ranjangaon

Mahaganpati (Photo credits: Facebook)

This temple is special because it celebrates not one but eight legends associated with Lord Ganesha. The temple is said to have built by Lord Shiva. While history mentions, it was erected by a family of a goldsmith. The temple architecture is very similar to that of 9-10th century. It is portrayed like sitting on a lotus. The locals believe that the real statue of Mahaganpati is hidden in a vault. The temple is located 50 km from Pune on the Pune-Nagar route.

These are the eight temples of Ashtavinayak in its sequence. Although there is a belief that to complete the yatra, one must return back to the first temple of Moreshwar in Morgaon to compete it. Every devotee of Lord Ganesh makes it a point to visit all the holy temples.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2018 11:33 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).