By - Travel Freak Trio Diaries.

Sequence of Temples to be visited as per Shastra:

1.       Mayureshwar / Moreshwar Temple - Morgaon

2.       Siddhivinayak Temple - Siddhatek

3.       Ballaleshwar Temple - Pali

4.       Varadavinayak Temple - Mahad

5.       Chintamani Temple - Theur

6.       Girijatmaj Temple - Lenyadri

7.       Vignahar Temple - Ozhar

8.       Mahaganapati Temple - Ranjhangaon

Back to Morgaon – Mayureshwar / Moreshwar Temple to complete the Ashtavinayak pilgrimage as per Shastra.

We started from Badlapur an evening prior to the day we wanted to start the Ashtavinayak Yatra at 5pm to reach Morgaon so that we could begin the yatra early next day by taking darshan of the first temple – Shree Mayureshwar Ganpati at Morgaon.

Start Badlapur (Di. Thane, Maharashtra) To Morgaon  (5pm – day prior to start of yatra) - Mayureshwar Temple: 221Kms

Route  - Badlapur – Karjat Phata – right towards Chowk – Chouk Phata – Left on Old Mumbai Pune Highway – Right from Khalapur Junction (CNG Pump at the junction on right side road parallel to highway towards Mumbai) – drive till you enter Expressway – Toll Amount Rs. 173/- valid till Talegaon, till Pune only one toll, (CNG PUMP at food court after the Toll Naka, skip the first Petrol Pump, 2^nd Pump has CNG.) – drive till Pune, (CNG Pump at end of the Expressway on service road around 200 – 300 meters, there are sign boards) – Pune – Hadapsar – Saswad – Jejuri – Morgaon. 220.80 Kms.

We reached Morgaon at around 11.30pm. As we reached late, we checked into whatever we got wasn’t bad though @ Rs.700/-, rushed for dinner & relished authentic Maharashtrian specialities (Pitla Bhakri and thecha, Bharli Vangi) 

Pitla Bhakri & Thecha

Stay Options at Morgaon: Inquire for Temple Rooms – Bhakt Niwas. Hotels and Lodges too are easily available - small and economical to Deluxe types, don’t expect Luxury rooms.

-          DAY 1 – START OF ASHTAVINAYAK YATRA -

Next morning, we started the day with the start of our Ashtavinayak tour by taking darshan of the 1^st Ganesha – Shree Mayureshwar at around 8am.

Post the darshan which we got very quickly as there was no queue, we had breakfast and commenced our journey to the next destination and next bappa to be visited Shree Siddhivinayak @ Siddhatek (67kms from Morgaon) at around 9am. 

The climate was pleasant and we started the journey afresh. Enroute, we spotted many pretty beauties....birds. If one is a bird and nature lover, would be delighted with the sightings and the freshness the climate offered...……….A pleasant start to the journey and the day. 

2. Morgaon  To Siddhatek - Siddhivinayak Temple: 67 Kms

Route - Morgaon – Supa – Chaufula – Take a right and join Pune Pandharpur/Sholapur Highway – continue till Patas – Exit at Patas before Toll Naka  – Take left towards Patas Daund Road – Daund – cross Bhima river, take a left for Temple – Siddhatek.

The road from Daund to the temple is very poor. 

We reached Siddhatek at approx. 11.30am, had quick darshan due to no queue and crowd as this was the day prior to Deepavali – Laxmi Pujan. We had sugar cane juice at Siddhatek and commenced the journey to the next temple & next bappa to be visited – Shree Ballaleshwar @ Pali.

Though we did not have lunch at Siddhatek in this trip but suggest to try food at shacks just before crossing Bhima river. We had relished authentic Maharashtrian lunch thali at this location during our earlier Ashtavinayak yatra. This being the second one. On the menu you would have Bhakris – Jowar/Bajra – made chulivar (chula) as is said in Marathi, Pitla (Besan Sabzi), Vaangyachi Bharitt (Baigan Bhartaa), Matki Ussal, Thechaa and Salad, unlimited at very low cost. You may sit on the floor or table and chairs. Relish the traditional meal in traditional way - sitting on floor.

3. Siddhatek to Pali  - Ballaleshwar Temple: 228kms

Route – Siddhatek – Daund – Patas – Take right and join the Sholapur/Pandharpur Pune Highway – Hadapsar – Pune – Pune Mumbai Expressway – CNG Pump at Khalapur food Court – Khalapur Exit – take left towards Imagica – Continue till Pali 

This was long distance and we reached Pali at about 7.15pm in the evening with two halts for refilling CNG & Lunch. The time taken was higher as we were misdirected by GPS to use internal roads in Pune City in order to avoid traffic. Using highway is better than taking internal roads in Pune City if you are unfamiliar with the city and its roads – a lesson learnt the hard way ☹

On reaching Pali we had peaceful darshan in the absence of crowd and queues – remember day prior to Laxmi Pujan 😊 and decided to proceed to Mahad to pay tribute to the next and last bappa of the day -Shree Varad Vinayak @ Mahad though it was late evening and dark, as we were pretty familiar with this route due to our frequent visits to Ballaleshwar Bappa and were confident of finding accommodation at Bhakt Niwas - Mahad to end our tiring day.

We started from Pali @ approx. 7.50pm for Mahad.

4. Pali to Mahad - Varadavinayak Temple:  44kms

Route – Pali – Khalapur – Continue till Old Mumbai Pune Highway – take a right towards Pune – CNG Pump half Kms from the Junction on your Left – Continue and take a right (Sign Board available) – Mahad.

Reached Mahad @ approx. 9pm refilling CNG enroute @ Khalapur to start afresh the next day.

Had quick darshan on reaching Mahad (familiar due to frequent visits to this temple), enquired about the Bhakt Niwas very close to temple, checked in, dumped luggage, got fresh and rushed for dinner as it was almost 10pm and the last few outlets open too were on the verge of closing.

Enjoyed Thali & Special Thali @ Annapurna Restaurant just outside the temple’s parking lot.

-          END OF DAY 1   -

-   DAY 2    -

5. Mahad to Theur - Chintamani Temple: 114 kms

Theur Market

Started the 2^nd day of our yatra afresh @ around 9am though we had planned a to start a lil earlier. Thanks to the Senior citizen and child with us. Anyways, with tank filled with CNG last night, commenced the journey.

Route: Mahad – Old Mumbai Pune Highway – Hadapsar – Pune Pandharpur/Sholapur Highway – Sign Boards available to direct you to take left towards Theur.

We halted for breakfast at around 9.45am @ Aaswad Dhaba on Old Mumbai Pune Highway just after crossing Lonavla on our left hand side.

Aloo Paratha

Cheese Paratha

Relished hot and yummy Aloo paratha, Cheese Paratha, Misal Pav and lovely tea and continued with our journey towards Theur. 

Reached Theur @ approx. 12.45pm.

This was Laxmi Pujan day and we had to wait in a lil queue for taking darshan of beloved Shree Chintamani ji @ Theur.

Post the darshan we had sugar cane juice outside the temple which was so sweet that I wondered if sugar was added to the juice as I had never tasted such sweet sugarcane juice ever before. Was later educated that such sweetness was due to the freshness of the sugar cane (fields spotted on the way to the temple). Picked up some fresh fruits being sold by locals outside the temple, to be enjoyed in the vehicle on the way for the darshan of next bappa, Shree Girijatmaj @ Lenyadri & started the journey towards Lenyadri @ approx. 1.35pm.

6. Theur to Lenyadri - Girijatmaj Temple: 121.4 Kms

Route: Theur – Kesnand Road – Chakan - CNG Pump at Chakan Chowk – Rajgurunagar – Manchar – Narayangaon  – Lenyadri.

We reached Lenyadri @ around 6pm, despite the attempt to reach earlier before it gets dark as one has to climb 304 steps from base to the top to take darshan of Girijatmaj bappa residing in the cave above, due to a refreshment break taken enroute post Chakan where the CNG tank too was refilled.

When we reached Lenyadri, it was almost getting dark and we were amongst the last 2-3 groups to start the climb at this point of time – It is Laxmi Pujan Evening & we missing home too.

We would have started the climb at approx. 6.30pm. Were advised by people descending post darshan, not to carry prasad, carry bags, sling purse or any objects in hand due to Monkeys above who could snatch the objects.

The stairs are steep & we took many stops while climbing. On reaching, took peaceful darshan of Shree Girijatmaj bappa virajman in the cave and spent some peaceful time on Laxmi Pujan evening with bappa in the cave before starting the descend.

(Palki carried by 4 available for people who cannot climb upstairs for taking bappa’s darshan).

It would have just taken an hour or an hour and 15 minutes to return post the darshan – supporting factors – evening time – hence no afternoon heat too.

On returning we had a cup of refreshing hot tea and proceeded for our darshan of Shree Vighnahar @ Ozhar – last darshan before we wind up for the day.

7. Lenyadri to Ozhar - Vignahar Temple: 15.6 Kms

Route: Lenyadri – left towards Junnar, sign boards available to direct you to reach Ozhar- Ozhar.

We reached Ozhar @ around 8.15pm – Laxmi Pujan evening and proceeded immediately for darshan. Had quick darshan without any queue.  It was a lovely bright illuminated evening. People dressed for Diwali had come to the temple for bappa’s darshan. Everyone was looking so happy and fresh.

Post the darshan, we booked a room at Bhakt Nivas 3. Got fresh and proceeded for dinner at the Prasadalaya, very close to Bhakt Nivas as well as the temple.

Bhakt Bhavan 3

Bhakt Bhavan 3 Rooms

Having our last meal of an auspicious day at the prasadalaya was a great experience. We felt blessed to have the food there. A fulfilling meal comprising Dal, Rice, Chapatti, Matki usal, coconut chutney and sheera was relished with the blessings of bappa at the clean and hygienic prasadalay.

Prasad Thali

Prasadalaya Dining Area

-   END OF DAY 2   -

-    DAY 3   -

8. Ozhar to Ranjhangaon- Mahaganapati Temple: 118.9 Kms

We began the last day of the trip, day after Laxmi Pujan at 7.45am for darshan of Mahaganpati Bappa @ Ranjhangaon.

Route: Ozhar – Narayangaon – Chakan – CNG Pump Available just before Chakan Chowk – Take left from Chakan Chowk towards Shikrapur – Ranjhangaon.

We reached Ranjhangaon at 11.30am with a halt for breakfast post Chakan. Had lovely authentic Matki Misal & Matki Bhel @ Shripad Misal House.

Matki Misal

Matki Bhel

On reaching we had to queue up for darshan of bappa as lot of people had turned for darshan this morning. The wait was lengthened as the darshan was stopped due to mid-morning Aarti too.
Post darshan, we started for Moreshwar, where we had to return to complete the Ashtavinayak yatra as per shastra @ around 1pm.

1. Ranjhangaon To Morgaon - Mayureshwar Temple: 80.5 Kms

Route: Ranjhangaon – Shirur Road – use Google Navigation to take right for Amble - Nhavara – Chaufula - Supa – Morgaon.

We reached Morgaon @ around 5pm with one halt for lunch. Queued up for darshan, though not a long one.

Had darshan of Shree Mayureshwar bappa which marked the end of this yatra.

We decided to return home and commenced our return journey from Moreshwar to Badlapur, post refreshing ourselves with a cup of tea at Morgaon.

The lovely Ashtavinayak yatra came to an end and we began our return journey at 5.45pm.

-    End of Ashtavinayak Yatra DAY 3   -

Morgaon To Badlapur: 220 Kms 

We returned home around midnight completing the lovely, beautiful and fulfilling Ashtavinayak yatra.

Route:  Morgaon – Jejuri – Saswad – Katraj Chowk – Pune Mumbai Expressway – Khalapur Exit – Old Pune Mumbai Highway – Chowk Phata – Karjat – Badlapur.

What an enriching experience indeed!!!

*Kms may vary as per the route taken

*Parking and Washroom facilities available near all the Ashtavinayak Temples. Parking Costs around 20 – 30 Rs.

*Stay options -Bhakt Nivas & Small Hotels, Lodges available near each temple

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