Mahad Varadavinayak is one of Ashtavinayak temple in
Maharashtra to be visited during the Ashta Vinayaka Yatra. Varadvinayak temple
is located at Mahad, in Colaba district, 26 kms. Away from Karjat and 85 kms
away from Mumbai. Mahad in Maharashtra enshrines Varadvinayak associated with
the Legend of Rukmangada, Indra and the Bhadravana forest. The
Murty is facing towards east direction and the trunk is turned on the left
side.
The Varadvinayak
temple at Mahad is located on the highway linking Mumbai and Pune. Mahadcha these
celebrating eight instances of legends related to Ganesha. This Temple was
built back in 1725 AD by Subhedar Ramji Mahadev. There is an oil lamp in this
shrine which is burning continuously since 1892. Mahad Varadavinayak also has
the idol of Mushika, Navagraha Devtas and Shivalinga. There are 4 elephant
idols guarding the 4 sides of the temple.
The story behind Mahad Varadavinayak is that a Sage was
visited by a king named Rukmangada and during the visit the wife Mukunda
expressed her attraction to the king, Rukmangada .The king turned her down
leaving her seating in anger. In the meanwhile, Indra, the king of the Devas
came down to the earth in the disguise of Rukmangada and accepted her amorous
moves. An illegitimate son Grutshmadha was born out of their union.
The son, learning of the story of his birth felt very sad
and prayed to Ganesha in Bhadrakavana for absolvement of the sins of everyone
concerned. His prayers were granted by Varadavinayak. Varadavinayak is
portrayed, seated on a facing towards east throne. Stone images of his consorts
Siddhi and Riddhi are also seen in the temple. A lamp in this temple is said to
have been glowing uninterrupted for over a hundred
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