Majestic Temples of India

Shri Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai, Maharashtra Siddhivinayak Temple is located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai. Temple was built by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil. Also called as Navsacha Ganapati or Navasala Pavanara Ganapati, Ganesha bestows with every genuine wish of devotees. Deaubai Patil who was childless built this temple so that Ganesha will grant children to all others who suffer without a child. Ramakrishna Jambhekar Maharaj, once buried two vigrahas in the front of the presiding ganesha as per orders of his guru. It is said that after 21 years, a tree grew at that spot with a swayambhu Ganesha in its branches. Ganesha’s forehead has third eye here & seen with Riddhi and Siddhi. Devotees strongly believe that whatever we whisper in mushak's ear that wishes are sure to be granted

Bhimashankar Temple Pune, Maharashtra One among the 12 Jyothirlingas, Bhimashankar Temple is located at Pune, Maharashtra. Story says that there lived an asura named Bhima who lived with his mother Karkati here. He was son of Kumbharkarna. Being angry with Mahavishnu for killing his father he started doing tapasya to Brahma Deva. Pleased with tapasya Brahma Deva gave him immense power. Bhima started to torture everyone and one day imprisoned a Shiva Bhakt, Kamrupeshwar & ordered him to worship him instead of Mahadev. Kamrupeshwar refused to do so & Bhima raised his sword to destroy the Shivalinga. Mahadev appeared & reduced him to ashes. The place where Shiva manifested himself is the spot the Shivalinga is believed to be now. Many modifications of the temple are done by Maratha rulers.

Shani Shingnapur Temple Ahmednagar, Maharashtra Shani Shingnapur Temple of Shani Dev is said to resolve every Problem of a Devotee. Temple is called Jagrut Devasthan meaning Shani resides in the temple. Located in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, Shani Dev is said to be Swayambhu here protecting his devotees. During flood a huge block of rock was found & on the same day village head had a dream of Shani Dev. It is said that Shani instructed about his appearance to protect the village. When villagers tried to test, blood oozed from rock. Thus was temple constructed here. None of the house have doors here as Shani has instructed to do so to keep village under his drishti.

Kapaleshwar Mahadev Temple Nashik, Maharashtra Kapaleshwar Mahadev Temple is located in Panchavati, Nashik of Maharashtra. Situated near Godavari River & Ramkund this is a famous Shiva Temple & unique because Nandi Maharaj will not be seen here. Story goes about when Brahma Deva had 5 faces. Four faces used to worship God. But one face always used to do speak evil. Mahadeva separated that face and due to this he got Brahma hatya dosham. To get rid of dosha, Shiva travelled all places but he could not find a way. When he went to Someshvar, a calf not only told what to do but also took him here. That was Nandi who guided Mahadev. He asked Shiva to bath in Ramkund to get relieved from doshas. Therefore Mahadev treated Nandi as his Guru here and forbidded Nandi to sit before him as a mark of respect.

Shri Vitthal Rukimini Temple Pandharpur, Maharashtra Vitthal temple is situated at Pandharpur, on the banks of River Chandrabhaga, Maharashtra. One of the important temple's where Mahavishnu is worshipped as Vitthal, Panduranga, Vithoba. Pandharpur is referred as Naada Bhrama Kshetra. This is the only temple where we can touch Mahavishnu's feet & keep our forehead in his Lotus Feet. Story says that once Devi Rukimini was disappointed with Krishna seeing his closeness towards Radha Rani. Ma Rukmini went to Dindir van and started tapasya. Krishna who followed Rukmini Devi & came here, tried to console her. Devi was upset & thus Krishna went to visit his Bhaktha Pundalik. When Krishna reached Pundalik's house he was taking care of his aged parents. Pundalik gave Krishna a brick and asked to wait. Krishna stood on the brick with his hands on hips watching Pundalik. Later Pundalik begged for pardon, satisfied Krishna granted him a wish. Pundalik asked Krishna to stay...

Mayureshwar Temple Morgaon, Maharashtra Mayureshwar Temple is located in Pune District of Maharashtra. Kshetra is one among the Ashta Vinayak Temples & also starting point of the Yatra. Mayureshwar is named after the village where lot of peacocks were found. Story says Ganesha came here on a peacock to defeat Sindhu asur. Ganesha fought with asura and atlast destroyed him here. As per Ganesha Purana this is one among three most important places for Ganesha. Seen in a sitting position with trunk turning towards left, Ganesha is with Siddhi and Buddhi. Once Nandi was taken on a cart for its Prathista in nearby Shivalaya. Suddenly the cart carrying Nandi broke in front of this temple & Nandi sat here forever. Eventhough people tried a lot to move Nandi, everyone failed. The man who carried Nandi Maharaj had a dream that Ganesha wish to stay here forever. Thus Prathishta of Nandi is made here in Mayureshwar Temple. Om Gam Ganapathaye Namaha

Kiranotsav of Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur, Maharashtra Mahalakshmi Temple is one among the Shakti Peethas, where eyes of Shakti  Devi are said to have fallen. Kiranotsav is celebrated 3 times in a year when Sun's rays falls directly on the Vigraham of Mahalakshmi Ambabai. Kiranotsav is a divine festival that has been going on since centuries. During sun set golden rays of Sun first touch Maa's feet, then chest and at last Face and entire body. All lights were kept off during this time and Maa Shines in Sun's rays

Trimbakeshwar Temple Nashik, Maharashtra Trimbakeshwar is one among twelve Jyotirlingas. The origin of the sacred river Godavari is here. Kusavarta kund in the temple premises is the source of the River. Jyotirlinga located here has 3 faces representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Story says that. Once there was a famine for many years and people were affected. However, Varuna Deva, pleased with Sage Gautama made rain every day in Gautama's Ashram which was in Trimbakeshwar. Gautama used to sow rice in the surrounding fields of his Ashram in the morning, reap Crop in the afternoon and with it fed all rishis, who took shelter in his Ashram. Once a cow was grazing in ashram, angered with this Gautama threw Dharbha at cow and it died. Thus to get rid of Paap from Gau Hatya Gautama prayed Shiva and according to Mahadev's instruction brought Godavari here. Gautama bathed there and he got rid of Dosham Har Har Mahadev

Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur, Maharashtra Mahalakshmi Temple, located in Kolhapur of Maharashtra is situated on the banks of the Panchganga River. Temple is one of 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. Maa is called Ambabai which means Divine Mother. Story says that, after Brighu Muni kicked Mahavishnu in the chest, Lakshmi Devi, who reside in his chest got angry & came down to earth. The place where Devi came down to earth from Vaikunta is Kolhapur. Another story says about an asura called Kolhasur. Devi destroyed Kolhasur who was disturbing lives of people here. Asura requested Maa for the city to be renamed after him, which is why the city is now called Kolhapur. It is believed that this is Mahavishnu's favourite place as Devi chose to live here. Murti of Mahalaxmi is in black stone with four arms, standing position of about 3 feet. Mahalakshmi temple is so designed that twice a year, the sun rays fall on the Murti which is called Kironatsav. Sree Mahadevyai Namaha