The Ashtavinayakas Maharastra are the 8 temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha in Maharashtra. Ashta means eight and Vinayaka is one of the 108 names of Lord Ganesha.
The idols of Lord Ganesha in each of the 8 temples are said to have their own origin and not constructed as such. Hence, they are said to be swayambhu (born on their own). Every Maharashtrian family aspires to do Ashtavinayakadarshan yatras at least once during their lifetime. It is believed that by doing so, their wishes would be fulfilled by Lord Ganesha.
Route: Pune – Hadpsar – Saswad – Jejuri – Morgaon.
Special Feature: The Lord Ganesha idol has a silver cobra adorning the head and has diamonds in the eyes. Large metal sculptures of a mouse (Lord Ganesha's mount) and of a nandi (Lord Shiva's vehicle, the bull) are in front of the Ganesha idol.
Route: Pune-Nashik highway; Chakan – Rajgurunagar – Manchar – Narayangoan – Junnar; Lenyadri is on this route.
Special Feature: The stone idol of Lord Ganesha is located in a cave-temple which has no pillars. Some people may find it tiring to climb up the steep steps (nearly 300 steps).
Route: Take the Hadaspur route from Pune; Theoor road is 3km from Loni.
Special Feature: Picturesque location, with a river behind the temple. The temple has a long passage where one can sit quietly to pray.
Special Feature: A large metal bell hangs at the entrance of the temple. This temple attracts the largest number of devotees on the fourth day of Ganesh Chaturthi.
before Khopoli to the temple.
Special Feature: The temple structure has no grandeur. This temple has a lamp which is said to have been burning since 1892.
Route: Pune-Koregoan-Shikrapur, on the Pune-Ahmednagar highway. Ranjanagaon is close to Shirur.
Special Feature: When the Sun moves from Uttarayan to Dakshinayan, the rays fall on the Ganesha idol in the temple.
Route: Ozar is located just before Lenyadri on the Pune-Nashik highway on the route of Chakan – Rajgurunagar – Manchar – Narayangoan – Junnar.
Special Feature: Located on the banks of the Kukdi river, this temple is surrounded by a large stone wall. Near this temple is the Shivneri Fort, birthplace of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Route: Pune – Hadapsar – Loni – Yavat – Chaufula – Patas – Daund route on the Pune-Solapur Highway. You can either cross the Rive Bheema or take the long route by road.
Special Feature: According to local legends, Lord Vishnu became enlightened here, hence this temple is for attaining divine powers or siddhi.