16. Story of Morya Govasi - 2

Part 2 - Morya's Journey of Faith

Morya was known to travel to various places to worship Lord Ganesha. It has been accounted that he travelled to Theur, Ranjangaon and Chinchwad - In Theur, he built the Temple of Chintamani. In Ranjangaon, he worshipped Ganesha as Siddhivinayak. In Chinchwad, he took live Samadhi and later Temple of Morya Govasi was established there.

3. Return from Theur to Morgaon

Morya lead a nomadic and spiritual life in want of pleasing Lord Ganesha. He is known to visit the Ganesha Temples in Theur, Ranjangaon and Chinchwad.
After Morya Govasi attained the eight siddhis, he returned to his village Morgaon. Here he began using his spiritual powers (siddhis) to help and heal the destitute. Soon Morya came to be appreciated and venerated for his superlative powers. Masses often gathered around him seeking is divine blessings to overcome their griefs.

4. From Morgaon to Chinchwad

4.1 However, the worldly matters interfered with his meditation and prayers. So finally one day after the demise of his parents, Morya Govasi quietly left Morgaon in the middle of night. He settled near the village of Chinchwad about eighty kilometers from Morgaon and began his austerities in the forest of Kivjaee/ Tathwade/ Tathavade near Chinchwad. 
4.2 Once while bathing in the River Pavana, Morya found an idol of Lord Ganesha. The idol was similar to the one  he worshipped at Morgaon. Morya build a small shrine for the idol. 
4.3 One day a wood collector from the villager of Chinchwad saw Morya Govasi. He was allured by his divine aura and prostrated before him. The woodcutter was blessed by Morya and his ailing child at home was healed. The woodcutter came to believe in the divinely powers of Morya Govasi and began paying homage to him. Soon the word about Morya's powers spread around. The villagers of Chinchwad came to seek his blessings. Over a period of time, their commitment and devotion towards Morya grew. The villagers began fruits and food for him. When rains began to fall, they erected a hut for his living near the River Pavana. This hut is now a manor.
4.4 However, Morya could not forgot Morgaon. So he began visiting Morgaon on the first day of ever lunar month (pratipada). He reached Morgaon on the fourth day and worship Lord Morayeshwar. On the fifth day, they returned to Chinchwad.
However the path of devotion is never easy. It is said that God often hurdles his devotees to test their faith. So one day, Ganesha tested the devotional faith of Morya Govasi. This is what happened....
The interiors of Maharashtra as know to receive very very heavy rains. This anecdotes relates to one such night when heavy rains tormented the existence around. It was the third night of lunar calendar and Morya was on his way to visit Morgaon to worship Mayureshwar. There was heavy flooding in the area of Karhe pathar in Morgaon where Morya's parents worshipped Ganesha. However, Morya's faith was unbending. He was firmly inclined to visit Mayureshwar. The bridge that connected the Chinchward riverside to Morgaon was rickety and bend. The water rose above the bridge. It could break away anytime and be swept by the fathoming force of water.

Morya took name of Ganesha and decided to take the bridge, when suddenly a fisherman's boy came running towards him. He cried, "Wait, I shall walk with my rope on the bridge with you".

The boy helped Morya to cross the river safely. It is believed that the boy was none other than Lord Ganesha himself in disguise.

Heavy rains continued to lash for the next day (fourth day of lunar calendar).

When Morya visited the temple of Mayureshwar, its gates were closed. The temple priest who lived on the other side of the river had not arrived. However, Morya stood at the door of temple yearning to see Lord Moreshwar.

At this moment, something strange happened - as Morya stood praying to see God, the temple gates threw open. Lord Moreshwar welcomed Morya and it is said that He came out of the temple to please the devotional desire of his unparalleled devotee - Morya.

4.5 One day when Morya sat near the bank of Pavana River, he had a revelation of Lord Chintamani, Theur who asked him to marry. Following this, Morya married Uma (Uma bai) the daughter of Govindrao Kulkarni. Uma's family resided in the village of Tathavade near Chinchwad.

In 1470, Morya Gosavi married Uma. He was blessed with a son in 1481 who was named as Chinamani, who was believed to be a human incarnate of Lord Ganesha.

4.6 Years passed by and Morya began to age too. Gradually he found it difficult to visit Moragon. Once Morya reached Morgaon very late and the temple doors were closed. Morya slept near the temple door. That night, Lord Ganesha came in his dream and assured him that He would stay with him in Chinchwad. Lord Ganesha also assured that He would incarnate in next seven generations of Morya.