Mahaganapati Temple, Ranjangaon
Ranjangaon, Maharashtra
The Mahaganapati Temple at Ranjangaon is one of the eight Ashtavinayak temples, about 60 km from Pune. By tradition, Lord Shiva worshipped Ganesha here before he went to fight the demon Tripurasura, and the place is also called Manipur. The temple faces east, and its gateway has two guardian figures, with a large courtyard and a shrine with the idol of Mahaganapati, the great Ganesha. The temple dates from the Peshwa period, with later work.
What to see and do
- Have darshan of Mahaganapati, the great Ganesha
- See the carved east-facing gateway with its guardians
- See the large courtyard and the front hall, with its elephant and mouse statues
- Learn the legend of Shiva and Tripurasura from the priests
Ideal for
- Pilgrims doing the Ashtavinayak yatra
- Families, as it is close to Pune and easy to reach
- Devotees of Ganesha who want a large, well-kept 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 Pune to Ahmednagar road, so it fits easily on a route to Ozar and Lenyadri
- The exact position on the map is an estimate and should be confirmed
Spiritual significance
Ranjangaon is one of the grand temples of the Ashtavinayak circuit, and the legend says that even Shiva sought Ganesha's blessing here. It is a good, easy stop to finish the Pune side of the yatra.
Why it matters
- The Mahaganapati: the great Ganesha of the legend
- Shiva's worship of Ganesha: before the battle with Tripurasura
- A large, well-kept temple: easy to reach from Pune