Mahad Varad Vinayak - An Ashta Vinayaka Temple

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

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

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


स्वस्ति श्रीगणनायकं गजमुखं मोरेश्वरं सिद्धिदम् ॥
बल्लाळं मुरुडे विनायकमहं चिन्तामणिं थेवरे ॥
लेण्याद्रौ गिरिजात्मजं सुवरदं विघ्नेश्वरं ओझरे ॥
ग्रामे रांजणनामके गणपतिं कुर्यात् सदा मङ्गलम् ॥
- Ashta Vinayaka Sloka (Mahad Varad Vinayak is an Ashta Vinayaka)


• Sri Ganesha blessing sage Grutsamad: Sri Ganesha blessed sage Grutsamad (who is said to be the founder of Ganapatya cult), when the sage meditated on him and underwent a long penance. Sri Ganesha permanently stayed in that place (where sage Grutsamad performed penance) as Sri Varada Vinayaka. (The legends of Sri Ganesha are mentioned in Ganesha Purana and Mudgala Purana)