Ashta Vinayak temple
Ganesh Chaturti is
celebrated with an extra measure of grandeur in the state of
Maharashtra.
The
Siddhi Vinayak temple
in Mumbai is visited by hundreds of thousands of devotees throughout the year.
Also in Maharashtra
are
eight
temples dedicated to Ganesha, related to various episodes from the puranas and
other legends - and these deities are collectively known as
Ashta Vinayak.
Moregaon enshrines
Ganapati as
Mayureshwar
(Moresh) or the peacock rider, who slew the demon Sindhu in response to pleas
from the Gods.
Mahaganapati
at Ranjangaon is believed to have come to the aid of
Shiva
in destroying the citadels of the demon
Tripurasura.
Mahad enrhsines
Varadvinayak
(the bestower of boons), in commemoration of a legend related to
Rukmangada.
Chintamani Vinayak
relates to the legend of
Kapila Muni and the Chintamani gem that he
had obtained from Shiva.
Girijaatmaja Vinayaka
is enshrined on Lenyadri Parvat, and is believed to be a manifestation of
Ganapati as an infant.
Vigneshwara
at Ozar is regarded as the slayer of the demon Vignaasura.
Ballal Vinayak
at Pali, is associated with a legend where Ganapati is said to have come to the
aid of a young lad, who was a fervent devotee of Ganapati.
Siddhi Vinayak
at Siddhatek is said to have come to the aid of
Mahavishnu
as he was engaged in a long battle with the demons
Madhu
and
Kaitabha.
