Shree Vighneshwar – Ozar

Ozar temple is one of the 8 famous Ganpati temples of Maharashtra (Ashtavinayak) It’s a tourist attraction and a place of worship located about 85 Kms from Mumbai and located in the Junnar Taluka close to the Kukadi river banks. Built in 1833 the temple is famous for its golden Dome and its deepmalas. It has been renovated twice, first by Chimaji appa, brother and Military commander of Peshwa Baji Rao 1 and covered the Dome with gold after seeing the Vasai fort from the Portugese. Also in 1967 it was renovated by Appa Shashtri Joshi a staunch Ganesha devotee and the temple gets its today look because of him.

It has a large courtyard with huge gateway flanked by stone sculpted gatekeepers and nearby are the famous Deepmalas. The Gansesh idol is believed to be swayambhu with no human touch on the idol to sculpt it. The eyes are emeralds and his navel and forehead have diamonds embedded. He is known as Vigneshwara there because he defeated the Time (kala) who had come in the form of Vighnasura. Vighnasura was sent by Indra as per the legend to obstruct sacrifices done by King Abhinandana who wanted to take the place of Indra. Since Indra sent Time (kala) on the mission, the world came to a standstill. Everything came to a halt and the Gods prayed to Ganapati to help them. Ganapati defeated Vighnasura and made him one of his Gana. Vighnasura requested Ganpati to use his name as prefix and stay at Ozar. Ganpati agreed and is known as Vighneshwar in Ozar.

Uttpal K

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