Mahaganapati Temple Ranjangaon

Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple is also called the Shri Mahaganpati Temple. It is a Hindu dedicated to Lord Ganesha, one of the most praised deities in Hinduism. The temple is situated in the Ranjangaon village in the Pune district of Maharashtra. The Ranjangaon Mahaganpati temple is among the eight Ashtavinayak temples of Lord Ganesha, and it bears immense religious importance in the Hindu religion. The Ganpati idol was unveiled and gifted by the Khollam family, who are renowned goldsmiths from Ranjangaon. The temple was constructed between the 9th and 10th centuries, and the main temple is believed to be built around the Peshwa era. The temple facing the east direction has a grand and magnificent entrance.

Significance of the temple:

The Mahaganpati temple located at Ranjangaon is crucial because it is one of the eight Ashtavinayak temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha. According to a legend, Lord Shiva sought the blessing of Lord Ganesha to destroy the demon named Tripurasura at Ranjangaon Mahaganpati Temple. The temple worships Mahaganpati, a form of Lord Ganesh that symbolizes universal power and a divine aura. The temple is popular for its intricately impressive architectural designs, and its serene ambiance serves as a peaceful place for meditation.

Stories related to the temple

The stories related to the Mahaganapati temple at Ranjangaon are given below:
Demon Tripurasur: When a demon called Tripurasur terrorized the whole world, then Lord Shiva tried to defeat Tripurasura but without the blessings of Lord Ganesha, he was unable to defeat him. Then, Lord Shiva sought blessings from Lord Ganesha and defeated Tripurasura at the place where Mahaganapati temple was built at Ranjangaon.
The Khollam Family: Another story related to the temple is that the Khollam family was the goldsmith family from the Ranjangaon. They donated the Ganesha idol to the temple at Mahaganapathi temple, Ranjangaon.
The Peshwas: The Peshwas are the ones who had kept the idol of Mahaganapati in the room in the basement of the temple. Madhavrao Peshwa was the one who did that. Later on, Sardar Kibe from Indore renovated it.

Architecture of the temple:

The temple is constructed in a way that when the Sun turns towards the southward (Dakshinayana) direction, the sun rays fall at the main vigraha of Lord Ganesha. It has a Hindu style of architecture that consists of a main gate, an assembly hall, and a wooden hall. The temple has a large main gate facing towards the east direction. The idol of Mahaganapati is seated in a cross-legged position, with a broad forehead and trunk towards the left. The Nagarkhana resides over the entrance gate towards the passageway. The stonework of the temple was done at the personal expense of Sardar Malharrao Holkar and Mahadji Shinde. The temple was built during the Peshwa rule and Madhavrao Peshwa used to visit the temple often.

Rituals and offers:

In Mahaganapati temple situated at Ranjangaon, common rituals to the Lord Ganesha include performing aarti, offering modaks, laddoos, fruits as prasad, offering flowers, chanting mantras, doing abhishek (a ritual bathing of the idol with milk and water), and lighting incense sticks with devotees around seeking blessings for prosperity, success and removal of obstacles. The Mahaganapati is considered as the supreme form of Lord Ganesha and he symbolizes power and great beginnings. Depending upon the specific temple, special offerings like neyyappam (a sweet dish) are also prevalent.

Famous festivals celebrated here:

Ganesh Chaturthi: It is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada, the festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesha. The temple is often decorated with colors and flowers. The devotees also participate in special prayers and rituals.
Maghi Chaturthi: Maghi Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day of Magh month as per the Hindu calendar. The festival is celebrated with great devotion and dedication. All the devotees gather together and chant prayers to Lord Ganesha.
Holi festival: The Holi festival is celebrated on the Phalgu Shudh Poornima, which falls in the month of Phalgun, and during this time (February or March), devotees gather and play Holi with colors and flowers at the temple.

How to reach Shri Mahaganpati Temple?

By car: While going from the highway of Pune-Nagar, the route is to go to Pune, then Koregaon, and then via Shikrapur, Ranjangaon is 21 km before Shirur. Basically, it is 50 km from Pune. The temple is visible from Highway.
By Bus: you can take a bus from Pune's Shivaji Nagar Bus Stand to Ranjangaon.

Best time and season to visit the Shri Mahaganpati Temple

If you are planning to visit the sacred Shri Mahaganpati Temple, then you should visit the temple in winter from October to March.
Best time to visit the temple is Morning or Evening (to avoid the afternoon heat).