Maa Punyakshetralu - Temples in India

TEMPLE OF SHREE GIRIJATMAJ
Out of 18 Buddhist caves on mountain, Girijatmaj Vinayak's temple is in the eighth cave. These caves are also called as Ganesh caves. The temple is reached after climbing 307 steps. The entire temple is carved out of single stone and is facing south. In front of Main Mandir, there is huge Sabhamandap (Hall) which is nearly 53 feet long and 51 feet broad and to your surprise there is not a single pillar in this Sabhamandap. It has 18 small apartments for meditation. Shree Girijatmaj's idol is placed in the middle apartment.

Sabhamandap of main temple is only 7 feet high. It has six stone pillars with cow, elephant etc. carved on them. From the main temple one can view river flowing and the Junnar town spread near the river.
Girijatmaja's idol faces east. Parvati consecrated Ganesh idol in the cave wherein she had performed penances.

Idol here is not a separate and distinct one. It has been carved on stone wall of the cave. Previously idol was covered with armour. Now, since the armour is fallen Girijatmaj's idol with neck turned to left side can be seen. As such only one eye of the idol can be seen.

In this small sanctum anybody can perform Girijatmaj's Pooja on its own.


DAILY PROGRAMMES AND FESTIVALS
Girijatmaja's panchamrut pooja is performed everyday in the morning. Bhadrapada and Magh Shudh Chaturthi are celebrated here on grand scale.

In month of Magh there is Akhand Harinam Saptah for 7 days. On Ganesh Jayanti, Sermon on Ganesh Birth, bullock cart race etc. are conducted for entertainment.

On Bhadrapada Shudh Chaturthi, Abhishek, Pooja, Kirtan etc. are held in the temple.

SHREE KSHETRA LENYADRI'S GEOGRAPHICAL PLACE AND MODES OF CONVEYANCE
Lenyadri is situated on the North-West banks of river Kukadi. In Ganesha Purana this place was called as 'Jeernapur' or Lekhan parvat. River Kukadi flows between Junnar and Golegaon.
1. On Pune-Nashik Highway, Lenyadri via Chakan-Rajgurunagar, Manchar, Narayangaon and Junnar is at distance of 94 kms from Pune.
2. Nearby and convinient railway station is Pune and Talegaon.
3. Lenyadri is at a distance of 5 kms from Junnar. As such one has to come to Junnar first for going to Lenyadri. Rickshaws, Jeeps and Buses are available for going to Lenyadri from Junnar bus stand.
4. There are regular State Trasport buses for Junnar from Shivajinagar bus stand of Pune and from Mumbai Central bus stand of Mumbai.
5. There are 307 steps leading to Main Temple which is dedicated to Girijatmaj Ganapati. Arrangement of Palkhi or Doli can be made at the foothills for those devotees who are not able to climb up so many steps.

OTHER INFORMATION
1. Though the caves on Lenyadri are under control of Archeological Dept. of India, adminstration of Ganesh temple is looked after by Temple Trust.
2. Temple trust has built Yatri-Niwas for lodging purpose of devotees. At a time arrangement of 300 devotees can be done. Rs.200 are charged for a room having capacity of 10 people. Beddings are provided by trust. A very good lunch arrangements is available at Hotel Girija.
3. There is a small garden, namely Sunder Udyan near Bhakta-Niwas.
4. Lenyadri is name of Temple Trust and it comes in Golegaon. Main crops of this area are Grapes, Tomato, Cacumber and Sugarcane. A very good season for going to Lenyadri is from Diwali to May.
5. Since there are nearly 17 to 18 Buddhist caves on Lenyadri, it is called as Lenyadri. To the west there is a beautiful Stupa which is called as Bhima's Gada (mace). Sound echo's over here. One the top of mountain there is a Shiva's temple.
6. Fort Shivneri, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born is at a distance of 5-6 kms from Lenyadri.
7. Virtuous deeds like Abhishek, Pooja, Sahastravartan etc. are done by temple trust on behalf of devotees.
8. Since the temple is under control of Archeological Dept. of India, there is no electricity in the temple. Temple is so constructed to have a sun light on idol from sunrise to sunset.
9. Since the Ganesh idol is attached to the wall one can not circumnavigate Girijatmaj.
Lenyadri is silent and lonely place. Silence loving people can come here and meditate and have Girijatmaj's blessings.