Mahaganapati Temple, Ranjangaon

Significance

Mahaganapati is the eighth and last temple of the Ashtavinayak circuit, after which pilgrims return to Morgaon. Its Ganesha is also called Mahotkat.

History and legend

Tradition holds that Shiva worshipped Ganesha here before fighting the demon Tripurasura, and founded a town called Manipur on this spot, now Ranjangaon.

The east-facing temple has a grand entrance gate topped by a Nagarkhana, a drum house. The Peshwa Madhavrao I had a chamber built in the basement to keep the idol, and Sardar Kibe of Indore later renovated the temple. The idol is said to have ten trunks and twenty hands.

Before you go

• Ranjangaon is on a busy highway and is easy to reach from Pune.
• Theur is on the way from Pune, and the two are often visited together.