SHREE MORESHWAR - MORGAON : ASHTAVINAYAK.FREESERVERS.COM
SHREE MORESHWAR - MORGAON


Morgaon, situated on the banks of river Karha comes in Baramati Taluka, in District Pune. It is said that the shape of this place is like a peacock & once upon a time there were so many peacocks because of which it is called as 'Morgaon'. Various routes going to Morgaon are as follows :

|||| Reach || Temple || Idol || Programme & Festival ||||

REACH

1) State transport buses are available from Pune's swargate bus depot.
2) On Pune-Solapur highway 56 kms from Pune, Morgaon lies on the right side of Chaufula. Morgaon via Pune - Hadapsar - Loni - Chaufula - Supa is at a distance of 79 kms.
3) Another route leading to Morgaon via Hadapsar - Saswad - Jejuri covers 64 kms.
4) On the way to Morgaon have darshan of God Khandoba of Jejuri & then go to Morgon by bus which is at a distance of 15 kms from Jejuri.
5) On Pune - Solapur railway line, get down at Neera railway station & go to Morgaon by bus.
6) On Pune - Daund railway line, get down at Kedgaon & go to Morgaon by S.T.

|||| Reach || Temple || Idol || Programme & Festival ||||

TEMPLE

The main temple facing toward north is in the centre of the village & looks like a small fortress or Chateau.
The temple complex comprising of a dome, surrounded by a 50 feet high enclosure & decked with four pillars in each corners, portrays from afar an image of a mosque. While going toward the temple a huge Deep-Mala (stone pillar for oil lamps) will be seen at first. In front of this Deep-Mala, there is one Nagarkhana (where kettledrums are kept). Near this Nagarkhana, there is a mouse made up of black stone, holding 'Laddu' in his front two legs. On climbing the steps you will see a big 'Nandi' made up of black stone sitting in front of the main gate & facing towards Moreshwar.
The main temple is made up of black stone. The temple constructed during Bahamani regime was built in typical Moghul style by Mr. Gole, a Hindu officer in the court of patshah.
The temple has four gates. In the eastern gate is Lakshminarayana, giver of Dharma. In the southern gate are Parvati & Shankar givers of Artha (desired goals). Then comes western gate where Rati & Kama reside. Lastly in the northern gate resides, Mahivaraha (Earth & Sun).
Thus all deities & all sages reside in this temple. In the eight corners, there are eight statues of Ganapati called EKDANTA, MAHODARE, GAJANANA, LAMBODAR, VIKATA, VIGHARAJA, DHUMRAVARNA & VAKRATUNDA.
In the temple complex there are trees of Shami, Mandar & Tarati. The tree of Tarati is also called as Kalpavruksha. Devotees meditate under this tree & attain desired goals.
Before taking darshan of Moreshwar, first take drshan of 'Nagnabhairava' on the left side of Moreshwar & offer him naivadya of coconut & jaggary.
Nobody is allowed to enter the Sanctum & do the Pooja of Moreshwar on his own. The various virtuous deeds performed here are Abhishek Pooja, Sahastravartan, Japa Yadnaya, Mahadwar Yatra etc.

|||| Reach || Temple || Idol || Programme & Festival ||||

IDOL

The deity 'Moreshwara' inside the sanctum is very attractive. It is in sitting posture, facing east with the trunk turning left & smeared with vermillion mixed in oil. In its eyes & navel, diamonds are embedded. On its head is the hood of Nagaraja. On left & right are brass idols of Siddhi & Buddhi. In front of the idol are Mooshaka (Rat) & Mayura (Peacock). On doing Abhishek on 'Moreshwar' all desires are fullfilled.
The original idol of Moreshwar was small in size. As many layers of vermillion are applied on it, it looks bigger. Sometimes after 100 to 125 years this armour of vermillion casts off & original beautiful idol inside this armour is seen again. It has been heard that Moreshwar's armour had been cast off in 1788 & 1822 A.D.
The original small idol was made up of sand, iron & diamonds & it is behind the present statue. It was consecrated by God Brahma. On its destruction by demon Sindhurasur, God Brahma reconsecrated it twice. After few years pandavas came there for Pilgrimage. Thery enclosed the idol in tin sheets, so that nobody could try to destroy it.

|||| Reach || Temple || Idol || Programme & Festival ||||

PROGRAMMES & FESTIVALS

Moreshwar's pooja is done thrice a day. In the morning at 5 O' clock Prakshal Pooja is done. This pooja is done by Gurav Poojary. 'Shodopachar Pooja' is done at 7 O' clock in morning & at 12 O' clock in the afternoon. These poojas are done by Brahmin poojary. At the time of pooja, Ganesh Atharvashirsha's Aavarthana (Repeatative Cycles) are made. In the morning pooja, Khichadi & Chapati, in the afternoon pooja full meal & in the night milk & rice are offered as Naivaidyam to Moreshwar. Temple remains open for darshan from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Two festivals on Bhadrapada Shuddha Chaturthi & Magh Shuddha Chaturthi are celebrated on a grand scale in Morgaon.
Besides this Vijayadashami (Dasehara) & Somavati Amavasya are also celebrated on big scale. On Vijayadashami Moreshwar's Palanquin begins at 11 O' clock in the night.
Palanquin procession is worth seeing. Fire crackers made in the village are burst on a large scale. The palkhi procession goes round the village for whole night & at the break of dawn it reaches Someshwar's temple. At that time, names of villagers are read according to their ancestral hierarchy. The Programme ends with Dhuparati. On Magh Shuddha Panchami, there is one programme called Annasantarpana. It means naivaidyam from different houses are gathered & distributed among devotees as mahaprasad. Nearly 10-15 thousand devotees come for such yatra.


|| Bhuswanandadhisho Moreshwaro Vijayate ||