Maa Punyakshetralu - Temples in India

SHREE MAHAGANAPATI'S TEMPLE
Temple facing east has huge & beautiful entrance gate. Idols of two door keepers namely Jay & vijay are present near the gateway. Nagarkhana is situated above the entrance gate. This Nagarkhana was inaugarated by Maharashtra's honourable Chief Minister Shri Monohar Joshi on 3rd May,1997.

Main temple looks like temple from Peshwa's period. Temple is so constructed that sun rays fall directly on Shree Ganesha's idol. Since, this temple was on his way to war, Shreemant Madhavrao Peshwa used to halt here & have Mahaganapati's darshan. He had constructed a stone sanctum around this swayambhu or self emanated idol. In 1790 A.D he gave a hereditary right to perform pooja of Mahaganapati to shri Anyaba Dev. Temple hall was built by Sardar Kibe & Owaris (several small apartments erected along the course of enclosing wall of temple) were built by Sardar Pawar & Shinde. Famous hermit Morya Gosavi had presented an idol made of five metals to Shri Anyaba Dev. This idol is taken out in procession on festive days.

SHREE MAHAGANAPATI'S IDOL
Idol facing east is in a crossed legged sitting position with broad forhead & the trunk turned towards the left. Riddhi & Siddhi are on the both the sides of Mahaganapati.

It is said that,original idol of Mahaganapati is hidden in a cellar in the basement. It is also said that it has 10 trunks & 20 hands. Meditating on that idol is callaed Mahaganapati Dhyan.That idol is not taken out usually. Due to fear of muslim invasion, in good old days that idol was hidden. That Ganesha is called Mahotkata. However,temple trustees has refused existence of such an idol in the cellar.

The stone pillars of old temple will be seen in the compound which indicates that architecture of original temple shows similarity to 9th or 10th century architecture.

FESTIVALS
In Ranjangaon, villagers do not bring Ganesh idol in their houses, instead everybody comes in the temple for Ganesh pooja,in the month of Bhadrapada.The Ganesh festival is celebrated for first six days. In the first four days palanquin of Shree Mahaganapati is taken to different places in the village. It is called as Dwaryatra'.For the first four days villagers are allowed to enter the sanctum & perform pooja on their own.

On the fifth day Mahaprasad is distributed among the devotees. In the afternoon boxing competitions (kusti) are held in the village. On the sixth day devotees take darshan of murti & then go to Mahaganapati's temple by performing Lotangan (prostration) on the way.(lotangan means proceeding by rolling one's self over & over)


SHREE KSHETRA RANJANGAON'S GEOGRAPHICAL PLACE & MODES OF CONVEYANCE Ranjangaon is situated on Pune-Ahmednagar Highway. As such all state transport buses going from Pune to Ahmednagar halts at Ranjangaon.
1. On Pune-Ahmednagar Highway via Pune-Koregaon & Shikrapur, Ranjangaon is at a distance of 50 kms. from Pune.
2. Regular state transport buses ply from Shivajinagar bus stand of Pune.
While coming from Siddhatek to Ranjangaon you will come across Srigonda sugar factory.


OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj had given a grant to this temple.Similarly Madhavrao Peshwe,Malharrao Holkar, Mahadji Shinde had also given charities.
2. From the year 1942 administration of the temple is suprvised by trustees appointed by court.
3. Abhishek (Rs.11), Sahastravartan (Rs.101/-),Satyavinayak Pooja (Rs.51/-), etc. virtuous work are done by temple trust.
4. Lodging arrangements of devotees can be done by temple trust. Single room & common hall are available for the purpose. Address for advance booking.Shree kshetra Ranjangaon Ganapati Devastan Trust Tal.Shirur,Dist: Pune.
5. Chief Trustee & ancestral Poojary of Ranjangaon Ganapati is Vasant MOreshwar Dev. He can arrange for all virtuous deeds like Abhishek,Sahasravartan etc. Lodging & Boarding arrangements can be made by him.
6. Annapurna Bhojanalaya is available in temple complex. A beautiful garden namely Swanand Udyan is being prepared outside the temple.
7. Rs. 101/- are charged for video Shooting & Rs.51/- are charged for photography.
8. Temple is open for Darshan from 5.30 A.M. to 10.00 P.M.

OTHER RELIGIOUS PLACES IN RANJANGAON
1. At a distance of 16 kms after SHirur on Pune-Ahmedabad highway, there is a famous samadhi place of saint Limbraj Maharaj.
2. Gem of saints Shri Nilobarai's samadhi place, SHrikshetra Pimpalner is at a distance of 20 kms from Shirur.
3. It is said that in Nijam's regime, Shri Mahaganapati had given Darshan to one trader, Namdeo Buateli Manjrekar. His samadhi place is near to the temple.