ASHTA VINAYAK Yatra

What does it mean?

Ashta = 8; Vinayak = forms of Lord Ganesh; Yatra = Pilgrimage tour

As per Legend, there are 8 places in Maharashtra where Lord Ganesh has made his presence felt and created his instances. That is the reason these 8 idols of Lord Ganesh are called “SWAYAMBHU” means appearing on ones own. These idols are not sculptured by any known living being but by the mystical forces of nature: also known as DIVINE.

The Ashtavinayak Yatra or Pilgrimage covers the 8 ancient holy temples of Lord Ganesh around the city of Pune. Each idol is different and has a legend associated with it. Here is the plan we followed in 2 days to pay tributes in 5 temples.

DAY 1 – TEMPLE 1

MUMBAI – MAHAD – 67 KMS; TIME TAKEN 1 hr 45 mins

DAY 1 – TEMPLE 2

MAHAD to PALI – 40 KMS; TIME TAKEN 1 hr

DAY 1 – TEMPLE 3

PALI – RANJANGAON – 165 kms; TIME TAKEN 4 hrs

DAY 2 – TEMPLE 1

MANCHAR – OZAR – 25 kms; TIME TAKEN 40 mins

DAY 2 – TEMPLE 2

OZAR – LENYADRI – 16 kms; TIME TAKEN 25 mins

LENYADRI – MUMBAI – 160 kms; TIME TAKEN 4 hrs 30 mins

Circuit of 5 temples which we did in 2 days

All these temples can be visited, if one stays around Pune for 2 nights/ 3 days. One can search the internet and get many maps depicting the route of the Yatra. Here, I will be talking about which route we followed and what we did and our experience.

I have been intending to do this Yatra for quite a few years now. Now that my boys are all grown up I decide to finally plan this out. My R & D begins and I chart out several alternate plans to execute this Yatra. I express my spiritual desires to Hiren. He jumps in instantly and offers to drive me to all the temples, may God bless him. So, it was decided that the trip would happen on a long weekend, either 2nd or 4th weekend of June 2022. We do not finalize a date in advance, but would take a call as the weekend approaches.

So, the itinerary is ready, now just needs to be executed, waiting for “Gods Calling”. As is commonly believed in India, a pilgrimage yatra materializes as per God’s plans, and only when the “Divine” decides, the path to one’s spiritual journey begins. In the 2nd long weekend, we get occupied with a spiritual Puja ceremony at a nearby Jain temple. And finally Shri Ganesh summons us on 4th weekend, 25 – 26th June 22. This also happens to be my 44th birthday weekend. What better day to go on a pilgrimage and pay tributes to the Almighty than the day I was born on this earth.

We have done 5 temples, in 2 days and 1 night stay in Manchar. The order mentioned here is the order which we have followed, the itinerary can be customized as per one’s plans and convenience.

Day 1 – Ashta Vinayak Tour
Day 2 – Ashtavinayak Tour

Now we have 3 temples pending –

  • Moreshwar
  • Chintamani
  • Siddhivinayak

Let us hope that the divine calling comes soon and we Rahys visit these 3 temples, thus completing the entire Pilgrimage.