Volume 12 : December 2007

Bhaktanugrahe Gajmukho Vigeshwaro Brahamapam
Nana Murti Dharopi Naijamahima Khanda Sadatma Prabhu
Sweccha Vighnahar Sadasukhkar Sidha Kallo Swayepum
Kshetre Chozarke Namostu Satatam Tamse Parabrahamne

Meaning:
Let my mind be concentrated to the God, who is elephant headed, benignant & remover of obstacle. He has defeated demon Vighnasur. He himself is Brahma. His greatness is undisturbed in his different forms. He is the greatest artist; He gives happiness to his devotees, who stay at Ozhar.

 

Ozarcha Shri Vigneshwara is considered to be one of the Ashta Vinayak shrines of Maharashtra, celebrating eight instances of legends related to Ganesha.

On the banks of the Kukdeshwar River, Ozhar is where Lord Vighneshwar resides. The Vigneshwar temple at Ozar is located at a distance of about 100 km from Pune enroute to Nasik.

Lord Ganesh is known as Vigneshwara or the remover of all obstacles, this he achieved by vanquishing the demon Vighnasura. Sri Vigneshwar is present in his Swayambhu form where salvation is attained.

Katha

A king called Abhinandan one day decided to become the King of Heaven.

To achieve this goal he started a Yagya, a sacrifice. When Indra the King of Heaven heard this he decided to create obstacles in the king's path. He summoned Kalapurush and asked him to destroy King Abhinandan's Yagya. After doing so Kalapurush acquired the name Vighnasura, the creator of obstacles.

Vighnasura then went on a rampage and destroyed all Vedic practices on earth. The gods realised that they had to destroy this destructive force and they turned to Gajanan for help, who in those days was at the ashram of Sage Parashar.

Gajanan took birth as the son of Parshwaputra and his wife Deepvatsala. This son then fought valiantly with Vighnasura, who had to except defeat. He abdicated himself to the Lord and asked to be blessed. Ganesh said that he would be let him go, but made him promise that he would never enter any place where Lord Ganesh was being worshipped. Vighnasura accepted this on condition that Lord Ganesh be known by his name. Legend also has it that the very same Devtas installed an image of Vigneshwara at Ozar on Ganesh Chaturti and offered worship.

So Lord Ganesh came to be known as Vighneshwar or Vighnaharta. Ozhar it is believed is where Lord Ganesh resided as Vigneshwar.

The temple of Lord Vighneshwar is Purvabhimukh, facing the east. It is protected by a stone border from all sides. Standing on this boundary one can see the Lenyadri Mountain where Lord Girijatmaj resides and the Shivneri fort, a historic fort belonging to Shivaji the Maratha King.

At the entrance are two statues of guards who are protecting the temple. On entering one can see two overri-s [rooms used for meditation]. The sabhamandap is 20 feet long and in it is a marble statue of the mooshak [a mouse]- Lord Ganesh's means of conveyance.

All the walls of the temple are covered with attractive and colorful pictures.
In the garbhagriha, the sanctum resides the deity. The deity is also purvabhimukh, facing east and is seated. The eyes of he deity are studded with rubies, a diamond adorns its forehead and its navel is studded with other precious stones. On both sides of the deity are brass statues of Riddhi and Siddhi.

Very few people obtain the darshan of Sri Vigneshwara. He is considered the most powerful amongst the 3 worlds & one who answers prayers the most fast amongst all his Ashta Vinayak forms , hence he is the most worshipped idol in kalyug era.

JAI GANESHA !!