Ashta Vinayakas

Ashta Vinayakas are eight incarnations of Sri Ganesha for fulfilling specific purposes. These incarnations are mentioned in Ganesha Purana. The sacred places corresponding to these incarnations form the Ashta Vinayaka kshetras.

स्वस्ति श्रीगणनायकं गजमुखं मोरेश्वरं सिद्धिदम् ॥
बल्लाळं मुरुडे विनायकमहं चिन्तामणिं थेवरे ॥
लेण्याद्रौ गिरिजात्मजं सुवरदं विघ्नेश्वरं ओझरे ॥
ग्रामे रांजणनामके गणपतिं कुर्यात् सदा मङ्गलम् ॥
- Ashta Vinayaka Sloka

1. Morgaon - Mayureshwar:

► Morgaon Mayureshwar (Ashta Vinayak)
(Pune district, Maharashtra)

▬ River Karha flows
(Maharashtra Plateau)

- Sri Ganesha killed demon Sindhu riding on a Mayura or Peacock, and abides as Sri Mayureshwar.

2. Siddhatek - Siddhi Vinayak:

► Siddhatek Siddhi Vinayak (Ashta Vinayak)
(Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra)

▬ River Bhima flows
(Maharashtra Plateau)

- Sri Ganesha blessed Lord Vishnu to be successful in the battle against demons Madhu and Kaitabha, and abides as Sri Siddhi Vinayak.

3. Pali - Ballaleshwar:

► Pali Ballaleshwar (Ashta Vinayak)
(Raigad district, Maharashtra)

▬ River Amba flows
(Maharashtra Coastal Plain)

- Sri Ganesha saved boy-devotee Ballala who was severely beaten up by his father, and abides as Sri Ballaleshwar.

4. Mahad - Varad Vinayak:

► Mahad Varad Vinayak (Ashta Vinayak)
(Raigad district, Maharashtra)

☗ Sahyadri Mountains fringe (Konkan region surrounded by Sahyadri Mountains)
▬ River Savitri flows
(Maharashtra Coastal Plain)

- Sri Ganesha blessed sage Grutsamad who was performing penance, and abides as Sri Varad Vinayak.

5. Theur - Chintamani Vinayak:

► Theur Chintamani Vinayak (Ashta Vinayak)
(Pune district, Maharashtra)

▬ ◉ Bhima - Mula-Matha Sangam
(Maharashtra Plateau)

- Sri Ganesha killed Gana and gave back the Chintamani jewel to sage Kapila, and abides as Sri Chintamani Vinayak.

6. Lenyadri - Girijatmak:

► Lenyadri Girijatmak (Ashta Vinayak)
(Pune district, Maharashtra)

☗ Lenyadri Caves
(Maharashtra Plateau)

- Sri Ganesha granted boon to Devi Parvati to be born as her son, and abides as Sri Girijatmak.

7. Ozar - Vigneshwar:

► Ozar Vigneshwar (Ashta Vinayak)
(Pune district, Maharashtra)

▬ River Kukadi flows
(Maharashtra Plateau)

- Sri Ganesha defeated demon Vignashura and checked his atrocities, and abides as Sri Vigneshwar.

8. Ranjangaon - Mahaganapati:

► Ranjangaon Mahaganapati (Ashta Vinayak)
(Pune district, Maharashtra)

▬ River Ghod flows (through Shirur 17 km away)
(Maharashtra Plateau)

- Sri Ganesha blessed Lord Shiva for victory against demon Tripura, and abides as Sri Mahaganapati.

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