The Ashta Vinayaka Temple of Shri Ballaleshwar Ganpati Temple is one of the eight temples of Lord Ganesha when visiting Ashtavinayak. Among the Ashtavinayak Ganesha temples, this temple is the only incarnation of Lord Ganesha which is known by the name of his devotee. It is located in the village of Pali, at a distance of 57.1 km from Karjat, Raigad district, Maharashtra and 121 km from Pune.
This original wooden temple was renovated in ‘1760’ to make way for a new stone temple designed and developed by ‘Shri Fadnis’. Created in the shape of letter Shri, it was created by mixing lead with cement during development and construction. The east-facing temple has been carefully positioned so that when the sun rises, the sun’s rays fall directly on Lord Ganesha statue during worship. The temple contains a bell which was brought by “Chimaji Appa” (Peshwas) after their defeat of the “Portuguese” in “Vasai” and “Sasti”.
The temple complex surrounds two lakes and is tiled. There are two shrines in the temple, one internal and one external. The inner sanctuary is 15 feet high, while the outer sanctuary is only 12 feet in high. The outer sanctuary contains a rat-shaped murti, holding modak (Ganesha’s Sweet Prashad) in his hands as he confronts Lord Ganesha. The main hall of the temple is 40 feet (12 meters) long and 20 feet (6.1 meters) wide and contains eight pillars that resemble Cyprus trees.
Pali Ballaleshwar Ganpati Temple Timings:
From 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM on all days
On Chaturthi days the timing of puja is between 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Note:
Photography is not allowed in Pali Ballaleshwar Ganpati Temple
Free Vehicle Parking is available near the temple.
Bhakta Niwas Trust Provides Accommodation and there are 24 Rooms and 2 Halls.
Nearest Cities are Pune, Khopoli and Mumbai.
Pali Ballaleshwar Ganpati Temple History:
The murti of Lord Ganesha sits on a stone throne, facing east with its trunk turned left and sitting against a background of silver which displays Siddhi (spiritual power) and Riddhi (prosperity). waving chamaras. The murti’s eyes and navel contain diamonds.
In the town of Pali lived a successful businessman named ‘Kalyan’ with his wife, ‘Indumati’. Their child(Son), ‘Ballal’, and the other children in the town used to play puja(pooja), using stones in place of murtis. Once, the children, going to the outskirts of the town, saw a very large stone. At the insistence of ‘Ballal’, the children worshiped the stone as Lord Ganesha. Led by Ballal, the children became so engrossed in their worship that they forgot about hunger and thirst; day and night.
Meanwhile, the parents of the town anxiously waited for their children to come home. When the children did not return on time, they all went to Kalyan’s house and complained about his son Ballal. Kalyan, flying into a rage, took a stick and went in search of the children. Eventually, he found the children listening to the Ganesha Purana. In his fury, he destroyed the small temples built by the children, who fled away in terror, leaving Ballal by himself. Ballal, completely submerged in devotion to Ganesha, was grabbed by his father and beaten until blood drenched his clothes. His father proceeded to tie him to a tree and trampled on all the puja materials collected by the children. Lifting the large stone which the children had treated as Ganesha, he threw it to the ground, breaking it into pieces. He taunted Ballal, “Now we shall see which God protects you!” Going home, he left his own son bound to the tree to die.
Still bound to the tree, Ballal cursed his father for having insulted Ganesha, “May he become blind, deaf, dumb, and hunchbacked for his disrespect to the son of Parvati!” Though filled with pain, hunger, and thirst, he continued chanting the name of Ganesha until, exhausted, he fainted. On waking, Ballal entreated Ganesha to come to his aid. Lord Ganesha, moved by the child’s devotion, appeared in the form of a sadhu before Ballal and untied him from the tree. On seeing Ganesha, Ballal’s thirst and hunger vanished; his wounds were healed and he was completely invigorated. He prostrated before the sadhu, recognizing him as Ganesha, and worshipped him. Ganesha told Ballal he would bless him with whatever he asked for as a reward for his devotion. Ballal entreated, “May I be your unshakeable devotee, and may you always stay in this place and remove the miseries of the people who seek refuge in you.” Ganesha said, “I shall ever remain here, and will take your name before mine, being worshiped as Ballal’s Lord.” He embraced Ballal and vanished into the nearby stone. The stone’s cracks disappeared and were made whole again.
That stone statue is called Ballaleshwar. The stone idol which Kalyan threw to the ground is also known as Dhundi Vinayak. This is a swayambhu murti and is worshiped before Ballaleshwar is worshiped.
Pali Ballaleshwar Ganpati Temple Festivals:
Bhadrapad Shuddha Pratipada a Panchami (Bhadrapadi Utsav) and Magh Shuddha Pratipada a Panchami (Maghi Utsav) are the two main festivals celebrated in a grand manner. Bhajans and kirtans are played in the events.
The highlights of Ganesha’s birth are delivered to the public through lectures. The Palakhi procession at night welcomes the devotees for bhajans, lazim, dancing horses, band from Nasik, etc. On Chaturthi Day, the entire temple area is decorated with colored lights. The procession covers the entire village of Pali. Participants are blessed with “Prasad” after the end of the procession.
Pali Ganesh Bhakta Niwas Accommodation Details:
Pali Bhakta Niwas Address:
Pali Bhakta Niwas,
Pali,
Taluka Sudhagad,
District Raigad,
Maharashtra – 410504.
Pali Bhakta Niwas Contact Number: 02142 242 263
How to Reach Pali Ballaleshwar Temple:
By Air:
Pune International Airport and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport are the nearest Airports to Pali Ballaleshwar Temple.
By Rail:
Pune railway station and Mumbai railway station are the nearest railway stations to Pali Ballaleshwar Temple.
By Road:
The place is well connected with all majour cities. Frequent public transport service buses are available from Pune to Baramati. Baramati is 105 km from Pune.
Pali Ballaleshwar Ganpati Temple Address:
Taluka Sudhagad,
District Raigad,
Pali,
Maharashtra – 410205.
Contact No.: 02142 242 263
Distance to Other Ashta Vinayaka Temples:
Pali Ballaleshwar to Shri Girijatmaj Lenyadri Ganpati Temple 176 km
Pali Ballaleshwar to Ranjangoan Mahaganapati Temple 157 km
Pali Ballaleshwar to Theur Shree Chintamani Vinayaka Temple 142 km
Pali Ballaleshwar to Siddhatek Shree Siddhivinayak Temple 222 km
Pali Ballaleshwar to Morgaon Shri Mayureshwar 189 km
Pali Ballaleshwar to Ozar Vigneshwar Temple 167 km
Pali Ballaleshwar to Mahad Sri Varad Vinayak Temple 38 km