Trip to Lenyadri Ganapati

Taking advantage of the holiday that both Akshay and I had on 2^nd October, we decided to go to Lenyadri. It is one of the Ashta Vinayak’s but I tried to collect some information more information about Lenyadri. So here is the story.

Lord Shiva used to do penance regularly. Parvati (also called as Girija) was curious about Shiva’s penance. She always thought that Shiva is greatest among the Gods then why & which god's penance was he doing?

Lord Shiva told her `Omkar’ (Lord Ganesha). He is more powerful than Shiva, Brahma & Vishnu. Parvati too decided to do rigorous penance of Omkar because she wanted Ganesha to be her son. She started her persistent effort on the Lenyadri mountain.

For twelve years she made a persistent effort. On Bhadrapad Shuddha Chaturthi God appeared in person and gave her blessings that he will become her son. This son was named Ganesh. It is said that Ganesha’s childhood took place in the Lenyadri mountains. It was his playing place. Gautam muni did his thread ceremony. Girija's son Ganesha stayed with her for fourteen years, This Ganesha is known as `Girijatmaka’.

Another story goes as follows:

On one Bhadrapada Shudh Chaturthi, Parvati formed an idol of Ganesh. She was performing pooja of that idol when suddenly the idol became alive and told Parvati that as desired by her he has taken Avatar in her house. On 11th day he was named Ganesh meaning a person who keeps three qualities Satva, Raja and Tama under control. Lord Shiva gave him the boon that whosoever remembers Ganesh before starting work, will successfully complete the work.

Ganapati successfully completed his incarnation mission & went back to Ganesha Lok. That day was Anant Chaturdashi (Bhadrapad Shuddha Chaturdashi).

The peculiarity about this idol is that the Girijatmaja idol is attached to the wall one can not circumnavigate. It is also the only Ganapati temple among the Ashta Vinayak’s that’s located on a mountain.

One can go by any vehicle to the base of mountain. After that there are more than 200 steps to reach the temple. The worst part about climbing is that the riser (that’s the height of the steps) is more than that of a regular step. This puts tremondous pressure on thighs while climbing. Doli’s are also available for those preferring not to climb.

The temple itself is believed to be created in Buddha’s period & it is in the 8th cave of the 17 caves. It was not built but carved in the mountain and it is facing towards south. The huge hall at the entrance of the temple is like an assembly house. The length of this big hall is 51 feet and width is 57 feet. This hall is carved in one big rock. It is not supported by any pillar. At the front side just before the huge hall there is a small hall with 6 pillars. Elephants, tigers, lion’s faces are carved on the top of the pillars.

The idol is facing north. Hence there is no MUKHA POOJA for Girijatmaja (Son of Parvati). The cave in which Ganesh appeared before Parvati is said to be behind the temple.On the right and left of Ganapati are Hanuman and Shiva.

Temple trust has built an Yatri Nivas for lodging of devotees. At a time arrangement of 300 devotees can be done. Large rooms are available where 10 people can stay in the night.

The address for the advance booking is

Shree Lenyandri Ganapati Devasthan Trust,

Shri Shankar L Tamhane,

Post Golegaon, or was it Ghodegaon?

Taluka Junnar,

District Pune, PIN 410502,

Phone (02132) 22350

How to reach Lenyadri

By road : On the Pune Nasik Road passing through Chakan, Rajgurunagar, Manchar, Narayangaon to Junnar one can reach Lenyadri. Junnar is the town closest to Lenyadri.Lenyadri is about 5kms from Junnar.

By Train : Pune and Talegaon are the two closest Railway Stations >From the Shivaji Nagar Bus Depot in Pune and from the Bus Depot at Talegaon one can get State Transport buses to Junnar.

State Transport buses also ply between Mumbai and Junnar.

The distance between in Junnar to Lenyadri is 5km and this can be covered either by autorickshaw, or jeeps that are easily available..

That is Fort Shivneri, a distance of 6 km from Lenyadri.
The length of this big hall is 51 feet and width is 57 feet and it is carved out of a single rock!




This was the route that we took

We started from Pune at about 7.30 am.

00 kms ..........Parihar chowk, Aundh
12 kms ..........Bhosari
40 kms ..........Khed (Rajgurunagar)
65 kms ........Manchar
75 kms ..........Narayangaon
Take a left turn just before Hotel Poonam
80 kms ..........Take left turn for Junnar go 100 mtrs and take a right turn
83 kms ..........Junnar

Keep proceeding on the main road of Junnar till you reach the statue of Shivaji. A left turn from there takes you to shivneri and a right turn takes you to Lenyadri and Malshej ghat. Some distance staright ahead is an arch that also has directions to Shivneri and Lenyadri but DO NOT FOLLOW THAT. apart from this the directions to go to Malshej and Lenyadri are very clear.

87 kms ............Turn right for Malshej

89 kms ........... Turn right again.

91 kms ........... Turn left and keep proceeding till you reach the parking lot. The temple trust charges Rs.10 for parking. There is a hotel run by the trust that offers Thali but we decided against it. Infact we could not locate a good (read clean) restaurant in Junnar.

Drinking water (Sorry no bottled water) is available while climbing the stairs. So its better to carry your own water with you.

The cellphone coverage is good throughout.