Moreshwar Ganapati
There are eight temples situated
in near Pune in Maharashtra worshipped as sanctified locations where Ganesha
manifested himself in various situations. These situations were forests and
caves where he blessed different devatas who prayed to Ganapati to bless their
mission and did intense tapas for their successful completion.
This temple is sanctified by the
manifestation of Ganapati and comes first in the Ashtavinayaka Yatra. Situated about
50 kilometers from Pune, the temple is fifty feet tall and has four entrances
each guarded by a Devata. The temple faces North and a large idol of a mouse is
seen in the front. There a sthal vriksh or a sacred tree is at the end of the
parikrama, or circumbulation. A
sculpture of a Nandi is seen in the front. There are three pujas conducted every
day, 7a.m., 12 noon, and 8p.m. The most important days are Ganesh Chaturthi
(Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi) and Ganesh Jayanti (Magh Shukla Chaturthi).
After his presence in a cave in a
village named Lenyadri, Ganapati decided to move on in his journey. In every location,
one can feel his presence and see the idol in the temple. This temple at
Lenyadri is unique because here Ganesha is worshipped as an infant. One day he
finds an egg which breaks when he touches it. A peacock comes out of the egg.
He decides to use the peacock as his vehicle to continue his journey. On the
way, he vanquishes a demon Sindhurasura.
The next Kshetra, which earns the
name Moregaon because Ganesha came here on a peacock is revered as the primordial
Kshetra where he reveals his complete form.
After many centuries, a couple comes
here to pray for progeny. Ganesha realises that there is no progeny in their destiny.
But they do not give up and continue intense tapas and worship Ganesha to fulfil
their desire. Ganesha blesses them by being born as their son. This birth is
celebrated as Ganesha Jayanti. This child, also named after the deity, becomes
a staunch devotee too. One night he comes late from his travel and finds the
sanctum closed. So, he sits down under a
tree and begins to sing praises of his beloved Ganesha. Hearing him sing, the idol
Ganapati walks out of the sanctum and sits next to him, enjoying the music. As
even Vishnu says those devotees who sing his praises are closest to his heart. The
purohit comes next morning and cajoles the idol Ganapati to return to the
sanctum. Till today one can see the tree, and two idols under the tree. Ganesha
asks this devotee to marry and that he will be born as his child. This child is
named Morya who later becomes Morya Gosavi.
I came across a Upanyas by Shri
Vinay L. Varanasi a young scholar who speaks about our Puranas, Devis and
Devatas. This post is based on his talk. (YouTube Link below) was a talk in Pune a few
days before Ganesha Chaturthi this year. The subject was Ashtavinayakas and as
a viewer I was mesmerised by his flowing language, deep knowledge and his
devotion to the subject. Do log on to his Youtube posts and listen to his
erudite talks on our Sanatana Dharma in English.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8AwRDdsBYI
#VinayLVaranasi #Ganesha #Moreshwar
#Ashtavinyak #RuupaRaamanMusic
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