Village
Pali is situated between fort Sarasgad & river Amba flowing on the
other side. On being pleased by the devotion of Ballal, Shri Ganesh remained
in the stone worshipped by Ballal & hence is called as Ballaleshwar
of Pali.
Among
Ashtavinayaks, Pali's Ballaleshwar is the only vinayak who is famous by
his devotee's name & who is dressed up as Brahmin. Sinve vinayaka gave
his darshan in the guise of a Brahmin, the idol of vinayaka at Pali is
dressed up as a Brahmin.
This
place is very famous & spiritually awakened. It is said that in Peshva
regime justice was done by taking kaul (answer to the question asked in
the form of flower, leaves etc.) from Ballaleshwar.
|||| Reach || Temple || Idol || Programme & Festival ||||
In
Sudhagad taluka of Raigad district, near the village Nagothane, Shri Ballaleshwar
is situated in the village Pali. It is at a distance of 30 kms. from Karjat.
1)
From Mumbai via Panvel & Khopoli, Pali is at a distance of 124 kms.
Pali Via Panvel-Pen-Vadkhal-Nagothane & Wakan is at a distance of 120
kms.
2)
From Pune via Lonavala & Khopoli, Pali is at a distance of 111 kms.
3)
Regular bus services are available from Mumbai, Pune, Khopoli, Karjat &
Panvel.
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The
Original wooden temple was renoveted & a new stone temple was built
in 1760 A.D. by Shri Fadnis. The Temple complex is tiled & it encircles
two lakes. Water of one lake towards right is reserved for Vinayaks's Pooja.
The
Shape of the stone temple is in the form of letter "Shree" & faces
east. During Dakshinayan at sun-rise, the sun rays falls exactly on the
Vinayaka.
There
are two Sanctums (Girbhagriha) in the temple. Inner sanctum is quite big
& is 15 feet high. Outer sanctum is 12 feet high & it has a rat
idol with a Modak in his hands & facing Ganesh.
Temple
walls are made quite strong by mixing lead with cement while constructin.
Hall of the temple is 40 feet long & 20 feet broad & it was built
by late Shri Krishnaji Ringe in 1910 A.D. The Hall is very beautiful with
8 pillars resembling cyprus throne tree.
The
Temple complex has a big bell made in Europe. After defeating the portuguese
in Vasai & Sasthi, Chimaji Appa brought these bells & offered them
at different Ashtavinayak places.
|||| Reach || Temple || Idol || Programme & Festival ||||
The Idol of Vinayaka sitting on a stone throne, faces east & its trunk is turned left. The shining diamonds are embedded in the eyes & naval. The background is of silver where one finds Riddhi & Siddhi waving Chamaras.
|||| Reach || Temple || Idol || Programme & Festival ||||
The
two festivals celebrated here during Bhadrapada & Magha (Shudha Pratipada
To Panchami). It is the experience of many devotees that Ballaleshwara
fulfills all their desires & demands. Hence worshippers throng this
kshetra either to express their desires & to thank him after their
desires are fulfilled.
"Whoever
comes here on Bhadrapada Shudha Chaturthi & has my darshan, all his
desires will be fulfilled." is the boon given by Ganesha to Ballal. On
the night of Bhadrapada Chaturthi there is Mahanaivedyam & on Panchami
there is Annasantarpan.
Devotees
make 21 pradkshinas (holy rounds) of Ganapati to get their desires fullfilled
& problems solved.
Their
is a firm belief among the devotees that at midnight of Magha Shudha Chaturthi
Shree Gajanan actually comes to the temple to physically parttake the food
offered as Naivedyam. Hence there is heavy rush then.
|| Shree Ballalo Vinayako Jayate ||