FEATURE STORY |
Mahad
Where is this place?
| Village |
: |
Mahad |
| Taluka |
: |
Khalapur |
| District |
: |
Raigad |
How many kilometers is it from Pune?
85 kms from Pune
Which road do I take?
To reach here from Pune one needs to go from Pune - Lonavala - then after Khopoli turn towards Mahad.
Public Transport?
| Railway |
: |
Mumbai Pune Rail route one can get down at Khopoli which is 6 kms from Mahad. Auto rickshaws regularly ply between the two |
Good to know -
- The lamp before the lord has been perennially lit since 1892 and never once allowed to go out.
- The original idol had been damaged and so the temple trust decided to install a new idol and the old idol was to be cast away. But other devotees objected to this and the matter is now to be decided by the district magistrate and is still under review. Hence both the old and the new idols can be seen, the older one outside the sanctum, the newer one inside it.
Stories anyone?
King Bheema son Rukmangada once went into the forest to hunt, while there he met Mukundaa, who was the wife of Sage Vachaknavi. Mukundaa was enamored by Rukmangada and propositioned him. A scandalized Rukmangada declined the offer following which an angry Mukundaa cursed him to live his life as a leper. A dejected Rukmangada prayed to Chintamani Vinayak who blessed him and freed him from his curse. In the mean time Indra took the form of Rukmangada and consummated her desire. This union bore Mukundaa a son who was named Gritsamav who was a great scholar. Participating in a major debate as a young adult Sage Atri insulted him as one who was not a complete Brahmin. A distraught Gritsamav confronted his mother, when he learned the history of his birth he cursed his mother to become a ber tree, one who would bear sweet fruit but which no one could enjoy due to its thorns. He then went into the Pushpak forest to undergo a rigorous penance to correct the fault of his birth. Lord Ganesha pleased with his devotion ranted him a boon. Gritsamav asked to be recognized as a true and complete Brahmin he also requested him to stay on for the benefit of mankind. Lord Vinayaka obliged and he came to be known as Varad Vinayak or one who fulfills wishes. The place where the Lord took up residence is today known as Mahad. Gritsamav is known as the creator of the Ganana Twam mantra
Temple Trivia -
- The temple is flanked all four sides with beautifully carved elephants.
- The dev lake on western side of the temple is were the idol of the lord was discovered in the year 1690
- The east facing idol is portrayed to be sitting on a throne that is delicately carved in stone
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