Varadvinayak Temple, Mahad
Mahad, Maharashtra
The Varadvinayak Temple at Mahad, in the Raigad district, is one of the eight Ashtavinayak temples. Ganesha here is worshipped as Varadvinayak, the giver of boons. One source says the temple was built in 1725 by the Subhedar Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar. The temple complex is run by the Shri Ganpati Sansthan, and it has several smaller shrines inside it, including shrines of Datta and of the planets Shani, Rahu and Ketu.
What to see and do
- Have darshan of Varadvinayak, Ganesha the giver of boons
- See the small shrines in the complex, including the Datta shrine
- Walk around the quiet temple grounds
- Combine the visit with Pali, which is close by
Ideal for
- Pilgrims doing the Ashtavinayak yatra
- Devotees who seek blessings and wishes
- Families on the Konkan side of the circuit
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
- The temple's own board gives special timings for certain days, so ask at the gate
- It is in Mahad village, in Raigad district, and about 40 km from Pali
Spiritual significance
Varadvinayak is Ganesha as the giver of boons, and pilgrims on the Ashtavinayak yatra come here to ask for their wishes.
Why it matters
- The giver of boons: Ganesha as Varadvinayak
- One of the eight: on the Konkan side of the circuit
- A temple complex with several shrines: including Datta and the planets