Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali
Pali, Maharashtra
The Ballaleshwar Temple at Pali, in the Raigad district, is one of the eight Ashtavinayak temples, and the only one named after a devotee, a boy called Ballal. According to the legend, Ballal's devotion to Ganesha so angered his father that he tied him to a tree in the forest, and Ganesha appeared to the boy and stayed. The temple was renovated by the Maratha minister Nana Phadnavis in the 18th century, and it stands at the foot of a hill, with a temple tank and carved stone walls.
What to see and do
- Have darshan of Ballaleshwar, Ganesha known by his devotee's name
- See the old stone temple and its carved walls
- See the bell and the temple tank, from the Maratha period
- Hear the story of the boy Ballal from the priests
Ideal for
- Pilgrims doing the Ashtavinayak yatra
- Families with children, who like the story of the boy
- Visitors who want a quiet village temple
Good to know
- Timings are not confirmed, so check locally
- Dress modestly, and remove footwear at the entrance
- Ganesh Chaturthi and Angarki Chaturthi are extremely crowded
- It is on the Konkan side, about 3 hours from Mumbai, and near Mahad
- Photography rules inside are not confirmed, so ask at the gate
Spiritual significance
Pali is the temple of devotion, where Ganesha is said to have answered a child. For pilgrims on the yatra, it is one of the best-loved of the eight.
Why it matters
- Named after a devotee: Ballal, the boy of the legend
- A Maratha-period temple: renovated in the 18th century
- A peaceful setting: at the foot of a hill