Shri Girijatmaj Lenyadri Ganapati Temple- Maharashtra

Address

Shri Girijatmaj Lenyadri Ganapati Temple- Lenyadri Ganapati Rd, Golegaon Taluk, Junnar, District, Pune Maharashtra 410502

Diety

Ganapati

Introduction

Lenyadri Girijatmaj Ganapati Temple is one of the Ashtavinayak Temples located on the northwest bank of the Kukadi River. The current name “Lenyadri means” mountain cave “. It is derived from “Lena” in Marathi which means “cave” and “adri” in Sanskrit which means “mountain” or “stone”. The name “Lenyadri” appears in the Hindu script Ganesha Purana, as well as in a Sthala Purana, in association with the legend of Ganesha. Also called Jeerapur and Lekhan parvat (“Lekhan Mountain”). There is no electricity in the temple. The temple is constructed in such a way that during the day it is always illuminated by the sun-rays! The Sabhamandap of the temple is 60 feet wide with exactly 18 rooms of 7×10 feet2 area.

Puranic Significance

Sri Girijatmaj Lenyadri Ganapati is the only Ganesh temple carved out of caves. Lenyadri tells an ancient story that when the great Pandavas lived in agyatvas during their thirteenth year, they curved these caves in one night. There are 28 caves, stretching from east to west. The Ganesh temple occupies the seventh incomplete cave which gives a wide view of the temple. Puranas says that Devi Parvati is said to have practiced tapascharya for twelve long years to obtain a son in this cave. After the long tapascharya, Lord Ganesh himself came before her. The meaning of Girijatmaj is “Girija” which means Devi Parvati and “Aatmaj” means Son. The caves meaning “Leni” in Marathi derive the name of Lenyadri from the caves. Hence the temple is known as “Girijatmaj Lenyadri Ganapati”. The temple faces south. Two water tanks rest in front of the temple. Similarly, the 21st and the first caves also house a water tank. The specialty of these tanks are that they have water all around the year. In addition, the water is clean and naturally fresh. The waters satisfy every thirsty pilgrim who climbs 338 steps to reach the excavated temple.

Special Features

Girija’s (Parvati’s) Atmaj (son) is Girijatmaj. Girijatmaj Ashtavinayak Temple is the only temple of the Ashtavinayak which is on a mountain and is built in the locale of Buddhist Cave. Girijatmaj Ashtavinayak – Lenyadri Ganpati temple is the sixth Lord Ganesha Temple to be visited on the Ashtavinayak Mandir Pilgrimage. These caves are also known as Ganesh Gufa. Here, Lord Ganesh is worshipped as Girijatmaj. The Lord is believed to be his manifestation as an infant. Girija is another name for Goddess Parvati and ‘Atamaj’ means ‘Son’. The significance of Lenyadri Ganapati Temple is that amidst a cluster of rock-cut Buddhist caves. It is one of the Ashtavinayak temples. Devotees believe that Lord Girijatmaj was Lord Ganesh’s manifestation as an infant Lord. Rather, it is carved on a rock, with its head turned to the left. According to Ganesh Puran, this place is also known as Jirnapur or Lekhan Parbat. Moreover, Devotees believe that the Pandavas carved the caves during their exile period. Lenyadri Ganpati temple is south-facing and monolithic – carved out from a single rock.

Festivals

The temple celebrates the usual festivals associated with Ganesha: Ganesh Jayanti and Ganesh Chaturthi. At the time of Ganesh Jayanti, the temple decorated with flowers and lightings. Millions of peoples are visiting here for Ganesh Darshan in Ganesh Jayanti.