Girijatmaj Temple in Ashtavinayak Tours

Ashtavinayak temples are the most favoured destinations of all pilgrims who wish to see their favourite Lord Ganesha, and Ashtavinayak tours takes them around the best 8 temples of this elephant headed God. Lenyadri is the only Ashtavinayak place that is located on a mountain. Located on the banks of the River Kukadi it is called the “Jeernapur” in the Ganesha Purana. The River Kukadi flows in between Golegaon and Junnar.

The Girijatmaj Temple Vinayak is situated in a region of eight caves. These caves, called the Ganesh caves have the temple at a height and one has to climb 307 steps to reach this temple. The temple is famous for having been carved out of a single rock and stands facing south. There is a gigantic hall or Sabhamandap in front of the temple measuring around 53 feet in length and 51 feet in breadth. The unique feature of this Sabhamandap is that there is not a single pillar here in the hall. There are 18 small halls that are used for meditation. The idol of Shree Girijatmaj is located in the middle hall or apartment as it is known as. The Sabhamandap is around 7 feet high and has six stone pillars with carvings of elephant, cow etc. While one stands at the main temple, one can see the River Kukadi flowing and also get a panoramic view of the town of Junnar on the banks of the river.

The idol of Shree Girijatmaj faces eastwards and it is believed that goddess Parvati installed the Ganesh idol in this cave when she performed penances. The idol is not separate and distinct and has been carved out of a single stone wall. The idol was earlier covered with armor and now there is no armour and so one can see the idol with the neck turned to the left side. Devotees can see only one eye of the idol. The temple is special as devotees get to perform puja on their own here.

Legend has it that Goddess Parvati performed penance for more than 12 years as she wanted to have Vinayaka as her son. She penanced in these very caves of Lenyadri. Lord Ganesha pleased with her blessed her with the boon. So Goddess Parvati also asked that on Bhadrapada Shudh Chaturthi, Parvati would scrap the mud on her body accumulated after penance and apply a mixture of ointment and oil in it and form a Ganesha idol. She would then perform pooja and everything was set for the day. On that particular day, however, the idol that she made came alive and became Vinayaka, goddess Parvati’s son. On the eleventh day he was called Gunesh meaning one who keeps the three qualities of Tama, Raja and Satva under his control. Lord Shiva also granted him the boon that whosever starts his work remembering him would be successful in his ventures.

Lord Ganesha thus grew up in Lenyadri and killed the demon king Sindhu here. When Lord Ganesha was six, Vishwakarma gave him the paasa or noose, the parasu or axe, the ankush or the hook, the kamala or the lotus and when he was seven the Upanayana was performed for Ganesha. Parvati has another name called Girija and Atmaj means son. So Girijatmaj temple is in dedication of the son of Goddess Parvati, Vinayaka.

This is a very unique temple in Ashtavinayak tours so all those Ashtavinayak tour pilgrims make it a point not to miss this temple.