Ashta Vinayak Darshan-Girijatmaj, Lenyadri

"UMA SUTHAM SHOKA VINASA KARANAM,
NAMAMI VIGNESWARA PADA PANKAJAM"

After Sati sacrificed her body in the Yagagni at her father's Yaga, she takes birth in the next birth as the daughter of Parvatha Raja and gets the name Parvathi or Girija. Lord Ganesha takes birth as the son of Parvathi and gets the name Gauriputra or Girijatmaj. Lenyadri is the abode of Girijatmaj. From Ozhar, Lenyadri is about 15 Kms. away and it's full of Buddha Caves. Lenyadri is in North of the Pune City on the banks of Kukdi river. One has to climb about 300 steps to reach the temple which is in a Budhist cave .The Ganesh Puran calls this place as Jirnpur or Lekhan Parbat.This is the only temple of the Ashtavinayak which is on a mopuntain.
It is believed that Goddess Parvathi performed penence to beget Ganesha on this mountain.The temple stands among 18 caves of Buddhist origin and it's on the 8th cave.It's called the Ganesha-len also and tyhe temple is carved on a single stone hill and it has a hall without any pillars. The hall is of 53 feet length, 51 feet width and has a height of 7 feet.
The idol faces north with it's trunk turned to the left.The idol is slightly different from other Ashtavinayak Idos as it is not carved very well or not well designed like other idols.This idol can be worshipped by anyone and there is no electric light in the temple,but the sun light always falls in the temple.There is an entree fee of rs.5 for the visit to the temple.The temple is 12 Kms. from Narayangaon which is about 95 Kms, from Pune on the Pune-Nashik Highway.Nearest railway station is Talegaon.From Junnar Lenyadri is about 5 Kms. From here the Shivaneri Castle where Chatrapthi Sivaji Maharaj was born, is about 6 Kms.
Lord Girijatmaj is a Varadana Prabhu who fulfills the wishes of His devotees instantly and for the thousands of His devotees visiting Him regularly He is the Solace.
"Gajanana Gajanana, Parvathi Putra Gajanana"