Ashtavinayak

Ashtavinayak refers to a pilgrimage route of eight Hindu temples in Maharashtra, India, that house eight unique idols of Lord Ganesha. Each of these idols is considered to be swayambhu, meaning self-manifested. The Ashtavinayak Yatra is a significant religious journey for devotees of Ganesha, aiming to visit all eight temples in a specific sequence. The traditional order of visiting these temples is often considered important.

The eight Ganesha idols are Moreshwar in Morgaon, Siddhivinayak in Siddhatek, Ballaleshwar in Pali, Varadavinayak in Mahad, Chintamani in Theur, Girijatmaj in Lenyadri, Vighnahar in Ozar, and Mahaganpati in Ranjangaon. Each idol has its own distinct iconography and associated mythology, often detailing how the idol came to be Swayambhu or the legends surrounding its discovery and installation. The temples themselves are located in different districts of Maharashtra, including Pune, Raigad, and Ahmednagar. Devotees believe that completing the Ashtavinayak Yatra bestows blessings of prosperity, wisdom, and the removal of obstacles. The pilgrimage is undertaken by many throughout the year, with specific auspicious periods often preferred by devotees.