6. Story of Shree Girjatmaj Vinayaka Temple, Lenyadri

After ceremonially marrying Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati desired to have a family. She expressed her wish to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva asked Parvati to perform penance to please Lord Vinayaka.

Parvati followed Shiva's advise and receded to the silent caves in the Lenyadari Mountains. She began meditating upon the name of Lord Vinayaka.

Seasons changed cyclically. Years rolled by, but unbending Parvati continued her penance even in the toughest of conditions. Then one day, Lord Vinayaka pleased by her severe penance appeared before her and blessed her. Much to her glory, Parvati received the boon to have Lord Vinayaka Himself as her son. After this Parvati returned her home - Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva.

One day Parvati sat alone in the snowy mountains while Lord Shiva was away in the deep forests performing penance. Parvati was overcome by a strong feeling of motherhood. She saw some wet mud around due to the melting of snow. She dug a sizable amount of mud and purified it by mixing saffron, clay, turmeric from her divine body. She molded the mud and shaped it into a pretty idol of a boy.

Parvati sat admiring the idol when suddenly it came to life. The boy was Lord Vinayaka and told Parvati, "Mother, as desired by you, I have come to your home as your son". This happened on the day of Bhadrapada Shudha Chaturthi.

Lord Vinayaka was named as Gunesh (meaning one whose qualities are above the three quantities of Satva, Raja and Tama). He came to be known as Girijatam meaning the aatmaj (meaning son of) of Giija.

According to the myths, Lord Ganesha spend a cheerful childhood in the hills of Lenyadri.  It is said that Ganesha lived here for more than a fifteen years. During his period he slayed many a demons. Hence this place is considered as very pious.

7. Story of Vigneshwara Vinayaka, Ojhar

Once there ruled a King named Shri Abhinandan over Hemavatim. He was very righteous and religious. Once the King performed a grand sacrificial ceremony to please Great Gods.

Seeing the empowered ceremony, the King of Heaven - Lord Indra left insecure. He was overcome by the sense of insecurity and thought if the ceremony concludes successfully, Shri Abhinandan may ask the kingdom of Heaven from Great God, Shiva. 

Lord Indra decided to hurdle the completion of ceremony to tide over any possibility of Shri Abhinandan to ask for rule of heaven from Shiva. Thus he asked Kaal (the time Turner) to hurdle the ceremony and perish it.

Kaal began hurdling the sacrificial ceremony of Shri Abhinandan and eventually destroyed it. He spread his wrath and also destroyed the sacrifices performed separately by sages. Due this he came to be known as Vighna, meaning the obstructor. Due the spread of Vighna, righteousness began disappearing from Earth. The religious rites were subdued and demonic forces became prominent.

Seeing this, the Gods became worrisome. They decided to invoked Lord Ganesha. Plesead by their penance, Lord Ganesha appeared before the Gods. The Gods pleaded Him to protect them. Lord Ganesha agreed to protect them. He incarnated as Vighneshwar.

Vighneshwar was born to Sage Parshva and his wife Deepavatsala. Years went by and Vighneshwar grew up. When the time was appropriate, the Gods headed by Lord Shiva came to Sage Parshva and persuaded him to relieve Vighneshwar to fight against Vighnasura. Though initially reluctant, later Sage Parshva agreed to Vighneshwar's going.

Vighneshwar went to the hinterland and fought against Vighnasura. Vighnasura by the virtue of his powers created many illusions and divergence. He took form of cyclones, fires, floods, earthquakes to force Vinayaka retreat. But Vinayaka nullified all these forces and overcome Vighnasura.

After prolonged fight, Vinayak caught hold of Vighnasura with his ankush (nook) and dragged him before Gods. At last, the arrogance of Vighnasura was crushed. He prostrated before Ganesha and requested Him to forgive him. 

Vighnasura fell on Ganesha' feet and asked refuge, "O Great Ganesha, I wish to surrender myself to you. Allow me Ganesha, to be always associated with your name".

Ganesha forgave the demon. He said, "Henceforth, I shall be known as Vighneshwara or Vighnaraj".

Ganesha further assured all Gods and sages- "Whosoever chants my name - Vighneshwara or Vighnaraj shall never face any obstacles from Vighnasura".

Vighnasura assured Ganesha that he would never trouble his devotees. He was asked to hurdle the offenders of Ganesha and has continued to do so over the ages.

Pleased by Vighneshwara's blessings for the merit of all mankind and Gods, the Gods constructed an idol of Gajanan or Vighneshwara at Ozar (Ojhar or Ojar). The idol is now venerated in the Temple of Vinayaka, Ozar.

1. Story of Mayureshwar, Morgeaon - 2

Sage Kashyap was one of the Saptarshis (Seven Great Sages). He is said to be the wish born son of Lord Brahma.

Sage Kashyap had many wives and most of them the daughters of King Daksha (Aditi, Diti, Arishta, Kadru, Vinata, Danu, Kalaka, Khasa, Krodhavasa, Muni, Puloma and Somathi).

Kadru was the mother of the Nagas (the snakes), while Vinata was mother of Shyen, Sampati and Jatayu. Though Kadru and Vinata were sisters, there were very envious of each other.

Once Nagas attacked and imprisoned Vinita’s sons Shyen, Sampati and Jatayu. When Vinata to know about her son's captivity, she was very disappointed. She prayed to Lord Ganesha to protect her sons and to bless her with more sons. By grace of God, Vinata's sons were released by the Nagas.

Years passed by and one day Vinita was once again blessed with a son. However, it was in the form of an egg. The story henceforth is unusual and interesting.. .

The egg was broken by Lord Ganesha and a small peacock came out from it. The peacock though newly born, was angry with Ganesha for breaking his serene sleep.  He began fighting with Ganesha.

They continued to fight until, Vinata discovered that egg was broken and peacock was her baby. She immediately intervened and pacified her peacock son. She persuaded him he to seek forgiveness from Ganesha. Though initially reluctant, later he peacock agreed. He was enlightened by Vinata about the divine presence of Ganesha right before their eyes.

The peacock was humbled and said, "O great Ganesha, allow me to serve you. I wish to be your vehicle. I also request that you that my name is always associated with yours.

Ganesha was pleased by the peacock's gesture. He blessed the peacock and took the name - Mayureshwara (meaning the God of peacock).

Vinata pleaded Ganesha to liberate her sons Shyen, Sampati and Jatayu from the Nagas. Ganesh with the help of peacock released Vinita’s sons from imprisonment by the Nagas.

5.1 Story of Shree Chintamani, Theur - 1

Once there lived a King named King Abhijeet. He was a wise and powerful ruler, but had no heir to his throne. So one day the king and his wife Queen Gunavati went to seek advise of Sage Vaishampayan. 

Sage Vaishampayan advised them to perform penance to please Lord Kanakeshwar. Accordingly, the king and his wife performed penance for several years. They learned and chanted Vakratund Mantra and chanted it for years. They were eventually blessed with a son. He was named as Gana. Gana became popular as ‘Ganaraja’.

Ganaraja was a brave and furious fighter.

Once Ganaraja went on a hunting expedition. Towards the end of the day, Ganaraja saw a hermitage and went inside it. It was the hermitage of Sage Kapila. Ganaraja's army waited for him outside the hermitage.

Sage Kapila welcomed Ganaraj and his men. According to Hindu beliefs, guest is His in guise (Aatithi devo bhavaha). Sage Kapila was a generous sage who had a miracle gem called Chintamani. The jewel was given to him by King of Heaven, Lord Indra. The sage used the miraculous gem to feed the entire army of Ganaraja.

Seeing the powers of gem, Ganaraja asked Sage Kapil to give him the gem as he was a king. The sage however, refused to surrender the priced possession. 

Aggrieved by the sage's refusal, Ganaraja took away the gem from the sage by force. The sage prayed to Goddess Durga seeking her help. He lamented over the lose of the gem. The Goddess advised him to worship Lord Ganesha. Accordingly, the sage performed austerities to please Lord Ganesha. 

Lord Ganesha was eventually invoked. He was pleased by Sage Kapila and promised him to get back the Chitamani jewel for him. Lord Ganesha first approached Ganaraja and asked him to return the Chintamani jewel to its rightful owner- Sage Kapila. However, Ganaraja refused to return it. 

Lord Ganesha asked Ganaraja to battle with Him. He said, "Ganaraja fight with me. Whoever wins shall take away the jewel". Ganaraja agreed and a fierce battle insured between them.

Ganesha fought against Ganaraja under a tree named Kadamba. After a long fight, Ganaraja was killed by Ganesha with his axe. When King Abhijeet came to know about his son's death, he returned the Chintamani gem to Sage Kapila and asked for forgiveness. He prayed to Ganesha to release his grandsons who could became the heirs to Ganaraja’s throne.

Sage Kapila got the jewel of Chintamani back. However, he realized that Ganesha is far more dearer than a gemstone. His devotion came to supersede his material desires and he adorned Ganesha with Chintamani as a gesture of gratitude and worshipped him. He prayed for Ganesha's presence in his adored form at the place where battle took place. The place was under the tree Kadamba. The village near Kadamba tree become popular as Kadamba Tritha (piligamage). Following this incidence, Ganesha came to be known as Chintamani – Vinayaka, Kapila – Vinayaka and Sumukha – Vinayaka.

4. Story of Shree Varadvinayak - Mahad

Part 1

Once there lived a great king named Bhima. He ruled the Kingdom of Vidarbha whose capital city was Koudinyapur.

King Bhima had no children. One day he left the stately matters, renounced hs throne and receded to the forests with his wife. They reached the hermitage of Sage Vishwamitra and pleaded the enlightened sage to show them a way to please Gods for blessing them with progeny. The Sage gave him Ekashar (Monosyllabic) Gajanan Mantra. He asked the king to meditate upon the name of Ganesha by reciting the said mantra.

The king and his wife began reciting the Mantra to please Lord Ganesha. After years of penance, King Bhima was eventually blessed with a son. The king named the boy as Rukmaganda.

Rukmaganda was very virtuous and beautiful. He had an appealing disposition and pious character. He received the Ganesh Mantra from his father, King Bhima.

One day Rukmanganda went for hunting in the forest. It was a very hot day and by noon he was tired and wrecked. He began looking for water to quench his thirst and for a place to rest, when he happened to see the hermitage of Sage Vachaknavi.

Sage Vachaknavi invited Rukmanganda. He asked the prince to wait for him in the hermitage until he returned from bathing. Rukmanganda gratified the sage for the gesture and went inside where the sage’s wife Mukunda was resting.

Mukunda was pleased to see the grace of Rukmanganda. She was deeply enchanted and asked Rukmanganda to please her. However, Rukmanganda refused. This refusal came as an insult for Mukunda. She became fiery and spelled a curse on the innocent Rukmanganda – ‘You are too proud of your appearance. I curse you that you will be diseased with leprosy’.

Rukmanganda was helpless. Soon his body became white and diseased. Rukmanganda became unappealing and distressed. This friends and family failed to recognize him. 

Rukmanganda became very lonely and abandoned. It occured to him that the only way to end his misery was to meditate upon the name of Lord Ganesha. Thus he began entreating Lord Ganesh with the mantra he received from his father. 

Once the celestial sage Narad, the son of lord Brahma appeared before Rukmangada. The divine sage advised Rukmangada to take a dip in Chintamani Lake and invoke Lord Ganesha. Rukmangada followed the sage’s words and was cured.

Part 2

Mukunda was lovesick and kept thinking about Rukmangada. King Indra knew her plight and took the chance to play upon her.

One day when Mukunda was alone, King Indra disguised as Rukmangada and immorally had pleasure with her. Mukunda gave birth to a son. Unaware of the child's real father, Sage Vachaknavi accepted him as his son and named him as Gritsamada.

Gritsamada was graceful and intelligent. He received Vedic knowledge from Sage Vachaknavi, whom he considered as his father. He grew up ti be a scholarly figure. 

One day Gritsamada went to attend the council of scholars in Magadha. The council was attended by many renowned sages like Aatri, Vishwamitra.

The council began discussions. Various scholars and sages propagated and countered theories, statements. There were stiff arguments. 

On one of the intellectual discussions, Gritsamada reinforced his conviction cogently. To subtle him, Sage Atri alleged, “Gritsamada you are not our equal. We are sage of moral standing and ethical descend. You should know that you are not Vachaknavi’s son. You belong to Rukmangada’s clan’.

Gritasamada was in state of stock hearing this. He felt deeply insulted. He retuned home where he asked his mother to reveal the truth of his birth. Filled with acute shame, Mukunda related the story of his birth. 

Gritsamada was enraged to hear the immoral act of his mother. He pronounced a curse on her, “You not deserve a respectful living. I curse that you become a thorny plant bearing pettybhor fruits. You will bear thorns, because of which no one will touch these fruits”.

(bhor fruits are small round  reddish brown fruits commonly known as ber, Chinee apple, jujube, Indian plum, Indian jujube and masau)

Hearing her son, Mukunda also became angry. She retaliated, “Gritsamada, it is true my actions were unethical. But you have forgotten that I am your mother and I gave birth to you. You donot reserve the right to insult me thisxwa. I curse you that your ill thoughts shall pronounce further and you will give birth to a malicious demon”.

Suddenly there was an oracle. There was amorphous divine flashing in the sky and the a heavenly voice revealed, “Gritsamada is son of Indra”.

Hearing the voice both Mukunda and Gritsamada were shocked. Before Mukunda could say anything, the voice faded away and she was reduced to a Bher plant. 

Gritsamada was filled with shame and guilt. He decided to propitiate Ganesha to get rid of the sins of his birth. He receded to the lonely Puspak forest where he began remembering Ganesha by reciting the mantra taught to him by Sage Vachaknavi – ‘Om Gananamtva Ganapathim Havamahe Kavim Kavinaam Upamasra – Vasthamam’.

Gritsamada performed severe penance for over six thousand years. During this period, he ate just leaves. Pleased by his commitment Lord Ganesha appeared before him and blessed him.

Gritsamada sought the following boon from Lord Ganesha, ”O pious Ganesha, I wish that this place becomes consecrated by your eternal presence. O Ganesha, I pray that you stay here and bless your devotees, and let your seekers attain Siddhi here. I also wish that you grant me the divine knowledge of Lord Brahma”.

Lord Ganaesha blessed Gristsamada saying, “Gristsamada, I shall stay in this forest. This forest will be known as Bhadraka in future and my devotees who come here shall be blessed. They shall have their desires fulfilled. You shall acquire the divine knowledge and will be counted as one of the most learned vedic scholars. You will be elevated to status of drashta rishi of the mantra sukta and be the founder of the Ganapatya Sampradaya. You son will be gallant and unconquerable by anyone other than Lord Shiva”.

Following this, Lord Ganesha disappeared. Gritsamada erected a temple in the forest and installed an idol of Ganesha here. This idol is called Varadavinayaka. 

5.2 Story of Chintamani, Theur

Ahilya was wife of Sage Gautam. She was a very beautiful woman. She was known far and wide for her enduring charm. When Lord Indra came know about Ahilya and her much talked about beauty, he was attracted towards her. He decided to seduce her.

One day Sage Gautam went to take bath in river Ganges. During his absence Indra disguised as Sage Gautam and had pleasure with Ahilya. Sage Gautam had divine powers of vision. When he returned he came to know about Ahilya's immoral act by virtue of his inner powers. 

Sage Ahilya Gautam was enraged and he cursed both Indra and Ahilya.

Due to his curse, Ahilya lost her human form and turned into a mere lifeless stone. The curse brought Indra's body under its effect too- Indra was wrecked with cracks and holes in his entire body due to which he attained a repulsive form. Thus, he came to be known as Sahastraksha (having thousand eyes).

Indra deeply repented his action and sought contrite from Sage Gautam.

Sage Gautam had mercy on Indra. He revealed that Indra would relieved of the curse if he did penance to please Lord Ganesha. Indra mediated for several years to invoke Lord Ganesha in Kadamb Nagar (Kadambnagar). One day pleased by his penance, Lord Ganesha appeared and relieved him from the malefic effect of the curse. The cracks in his body healed, creating a peacock. The holes in Indra body were transformed to patches on the peacock's feathers. These are considered as thousand eyes of the peacock. 

Following this, Indra took bath in a pond called Chintamani Sarovar, and erected a temple named Chintamani Ganesh in Kadamb Nagar (now known as Theur). It is one of the Ashtavinayak Yatra temple. 

(Note - Years later when Lord Rama went to forest, his foot touched a stone. Due to his divine touch the stone gained a human form. She was Ahilya who got ridden of her curse by the divine touch). 

3. Story of Shree Ballashwar, Pali

The story of Ballaleshwar appears in the Section 22 of Upasana Khand of Vedic Literature (the other two Khanda are called Aranyakas and Upanishads).

The story of Ballal dates back to Treta Yuga when Pali was known as Pallipur or Pallipuram. 

Once in the village of Pallipur there lived a merchant named Kalyan Shreshthi with his wife Indumati. They remained childless for many years. Indumati and Kalyan offered many prayers to Lord Ganesha seeking His divine blessings for a child. One day by the grace of Lord Ganesha they came to expect a child.

When the child was born, he was named as Ballal meaning the one who is strong. As  Ballal grew up, he began to reveal his strong religious bend of mind. He came to devot himself to worship of Lord Ganesha. 

Ballal's devotion towards Lord Ganesha was unconditional. He often appeared to loose himself in glory of Ganesha. The village children often gathered around him asking him what he was doing. It was then Ballal drew their attention to glorify Lord Ganesha. The children sat together in group singing songs of Ganesha, clapping and chanting prayers. They were often sighted seated under shady trees, temple backwards and mango farms. They sang in unision while travelling in the rickety bullock carts. Sometimes they rallied in narrow lanes of village singing Ganesha songs. At other times they worshipped the stones around as Ganesha. In fact, Ballal's devotion was not just ardent - it was beautifully blind!

One day Ballal and his following friends went besides the village hill. They left no clue about their whereabouts. Besides the hill, Ballal saw a big obliquely shaped stone. He was pulled by his envisioning of Ganesha in the stone. He told all his friends to envisionGanesha in the stone. They all followed Ballal and trusted the stone to be God Ganesha's in disguise.

Ballal and his friends collected collected leaves and flowers from around to make their offerings to Ganesha. He brought 'Durva grass, bhel patras for devotional offering to the stone. Ballal's friends followed him. They build a small temple to abode their God. Then they offered flowers and leaves to Ganesha and began singing songs in his glory. They chanted Ganapati strotras and mantras. Some danced and clapped. One of them narrated a story related to Ganesha's birth, while other told how mouse became his vehicle.  The sound 'Jai Ganesha, Jai Ganesha'echoed all around. The children became so deeply engrossed in the glory of Ganesha that he forgot their hunger and thirst. They could hardly see that the sun was setting and soon there would be dark all around.

On the other hand the families of the children who were with Ballal were worried. They knew that their children were lead by Ballal so all of them went to Kalyan's house. The parents spelled out all anger and anxiety on Kalyan. They blamed his son saying, "Kalyan, your son Ballal had taken our children somewhere. Where is he? It will turn dark soon, we are worried". 

One of them said, "Kalyan, Ballal is spoiling our kids. You should discipline him, else we shall approach the village head on this matter'.

Kalyan felt more humiliated than worried. He was filled with anger and humiliation. He took his bamboo and left his house in search of Ballal and his friends. He searched him all around in village. When he came behind the temple he saw foot trails leading to the other side of the mountain. Ballal followed the footprints. As he approached the hillside, he heard echo of chants. His footsteps became faster and when he neared he saw the entire group of children chanting Ganesha prayers with Balla seated in middle of them.

Kalyan's anger brust. He broke the Temple with his bamboo and shouted at the children, scaring them. The children fled, calling Ballal who was deep in meditation. Ballal was however unaware that his father had arrived in search of his entire group. He kept observed in the glory of Ganesha until his father Kalyan dragged him mercilessly. He abused and thrashed Ballal. He dragged him to a nearby tree and knotted him to it. Ballal was mercilessly beaten by his father.

Kalyan ruthlessly smashed all the offerings made by the children to the God Ganesha in stone form. He stuck hard the stone which Ballal believed was Ganesha in disguise and kicked it in vain. He spoke harshly and thrashed Ballal until he bled all over. He left Ballal alone in the middle of lonely place saying, "Now let me see who protects you".

However, Ballal's devotion towards Lord Ganesha was true. After his father left him, he weapt profusely. He was tormented by the harsh beating. He cried aloud, "O Ganesha. You are called Vighnanashaka. Scriptures say you never forget your devotees. Then why have you forgotten me? Why am I facing so many obstacles in worshipping you My Ganesha?"

Suddenly he saw the stone he had been worshipping was thrown away hunchback. He was now filled with extreme remorse to see that his faith was kicked and insulted. Once again he began calling upon the name of Ganesha and continued until he fainted due to pain, hunger and thirst.

Ganesha was invoked by the devotion and plight of Ballal. He descended the land of Pallipur where Ballal stood fainted against the tree he was tied to. 

Ganesha disguised a Brahmin and touched Ballal. Ballal saw the divinely figure with his eyes half open. The Brahmin extended a healing hand towards Ballal. Ballal was rejuvenated. His pain, wounds, hunger and thirst all vanquished. The rope he was fastened with broke and fell down. Ballal humbly prostrated before the Brahmin. He believed that the Brahmin was Ganesha himself and glorified Him with his true devotional feelings. 

Ganesha in the form of Brahmin said, "Ballal, stay blessed forever. I shall always protect you. What your father did to you will come back to him in his next birth. He shall face misery and will be driven away from his community".

Ballal was however more inclined towards Ganesha's love. He said, "Ganesha, I have always glorified you with my true heart. I believe in Your divine existence more than anything. I pray to you my Lord, stay at this place forever and eradicate the miseries of everyone who comes to you".

Lord Ganesha was once again pleased by the selfless and unconditional devotion of Ballal. He blessed him further saying, "Ballal, I shall remain here forever in my part form and be known as Ballaleshwara after your name".

The Brahmin embraced and blessed Ballal lovingly. While Ballal stood humbly bowed before him, the Brahmin vanished. A brilliant light touched a nearby stone. This stone came to be known as Ballaleshwar and is belived to house Lord Ganesha in part form. He is also known as Ballavinayaka. 

It is interesting to note that the stone which was worshipped by Ballal and his friends, and later smashed by his father Kalyan is called Dhundi Vinayak (dhundi means blind). The idol of Dhundhi is a self emanted (swayambhoo) idol. Dhundi Vinayak is worshipped before Balleshwara.

2. Story of Siddhivinayak, Siddhatek

The story Siddhivinayak Siddhatek dates back to the earliest epoch of time - the Treta Yuga when there was no existence. 

The story of Siddhivinayak Siddhatek begun when Lord Brahma invoked Lord Ganesha by chanting his monosyllabic mantra (AUM) with a desire to create world. Pleased by His penance, Lord Ganesha appeared before Lord Brahma and gave him the boon that he would successfully create the world.

Thus Lord Brahma began the task of creating the world. He created the moon from his heart, the Earth from his legs and the Sun from his eyes. The Heaven was created from his head, and air began emanating from his ears. He created trees, plants, humans, animals seas, rivers and so on.

While Lord Brahma was creating the world, Lord Vishnu was deep asleep (state called yogindra). During his sleep, two demons named Madhu and Kaitabha arose from his ear dirt.

Madhu and Kaitabha left the abode of Lord Vishnu. When they saw Lord Brahma was creating the world, they began harassing him. They began killing the living beings and destroyed vegetation. Lord Brahma and the entire creation was tormented by the demons. Finally Lord Brahma decided to wake up Lord Vishnu and ask him to slay the demons.

To wake Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma disguised as the Goddess of Sleep (Nidradevi) and played around Lord Vishnu. This distracted Lord Vishnu and he woke up. Lord Brahma brought to his attention the havoc created by the demons and requested him to slay them to bring harmony to existence.

Lord Vishnu thus began fighting the demons. He fought with them for over 5000 years, but the demons could not be slayed. So Lord Vishnu disguised as the celestial musician - Gandharva and began playing the veena. The sound of the veena was very melodious. The pleasing sound allured all Gods and even the demons.

Hearing the enchanting sound, Lord Shiva asked his Ganas - Nikumbh and Pushpadanta to bring Lord Vishnu to Mount Kailash. Lord Vishnu (in guise of Gandharva) came to Mount Kailash with Nikumbh and Pushpadanta. He humbly bowed before Lord Shiva and continued to charm Lord Shiva with the mesmerizing sound of the veena. After a prolonged playing when Lord Vishnu stopped; the benevolent Lord Shiva told Vishnu to seek for a boon for himself. 

Lord Vishnu narrated the rise of demons Madhu and Kaitabha, and the havoc created by them. He asked Lord Shiva to show him a way to slay these demons. On this Lord Shiva revealed, "Your struggle against these demons had been unsuccessful because you forgot to remember Lord Ganesha at the start of war against these demons".

Lord Shiva then gave six lettered Ganesh Mantra to Lord Vishnu and asked him to meditate with the Mantra at Siddhi Kshetra. Lord Vishnu chanted the said Mantra for more than hundred years until Lord Ganesha appeared and bestowed him with the powers to slay Madhu, Kaitabha and other demons. The place where this happened is called Siddhatak. The form of Ganesha worshipped here is called Siddhivinayak as Lord Vishnu attained Siddhi (attainment of spiritual strength through divine revelations) here.

After attaining siddhi, Lord Vishnu once again returned to slay the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. Lord Vishnu tactically said,"Madhu, Kaitabha- its been years since you have been fighting against me. I am pleased by your valour. Ask me for any boon".

The demons felt equal to Lord Vishnu and proudly said, "We are pleased by your valor. You can ask us for any boon".

Now Lord Vishnu brought the situation under his control and said, "Madhu, Kaitabha...grant me the boon that I shall slay you both".

Madhu and Kaitabha were taken aback. They saw water all around and said, "You can lkil us but at a place where there is no water". So Lord Vishnu took a gigantic form. He placed the demons on his thighs and slayed them with his Sudarshan Chakra.

The place where Lord Vishnu attained Siddhi is considered highly auspicious. Lord Vishnu built a temple of Ganesha here and is was called Siddhvinayak Temple.

8.2 Story of Shree Mahaganapati Ranjagaon

Once there lived a wise sage named Gritsamada during Treta Yuga. He was a devotee of Lord Ganesha and is believed to have composed the Mantra - 'Gananam Tvam Ganapati’.

Once during the winter season, Sage Gritsamada travelled to far North. He came under the influence of extreme cold and caught cough. His condition became worse as the weather grew bad. Intense cold led to heavy coughing and once when the sage was coughing, a reddish alive child was born out of his cough. The boy was Gritsamada son. He grew up to be Tripurasur.

Tripurasur was very ambitious. He desired to rule all three worlds. However, his father Sage Gritsamada intended to deviate his son's mind towards devotion. He asked him to worship Lord Ganesha. He taught him the Ganesh Mantra “Gananam Tvam ganapati Havamahe”.

Tripurasur chanted the Ganesha Mantra for over 5000 years. His penance pleased Lord Ganesha, who asked Tripurasur to seek a boon from him.

Tripurasur asked Lord Ganesha, "O Great Ganesha, I intend to rule all three worlds. No God, demi-God, man should have the power to defeat me".

Lord Ganesha blessed Tripurasur saying, "Tripurasur, all your desires shall be fulfilled. However, Lord Shiva retains the power to defeat you. I am giving you three cities each made of iron, gold and silver - you shall rule them as Tripura. As long you live in these cities, no God can destroy you. However, a single arrow from Lord Shiva will evade these cities and kill you".

Elated by the boon, Tripurasur began to conquer three domains. He defeated all kings on the Earth. He won over Lord Indra and acquired the domain of Heaven. He drove Lord Brahma out of Brahmalok and Lord Vishnu out of Vikunt (Vishnulok). He created two boys Chand and Prachand, and gave them Brahmalok and Vishnulok respectively. 

The Gods including Brahma and Vishnu went to Himalayas hiding there. Even Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati migrated to Mount Mandara as they were troubled by Tripurasur and his follower demons. 

The celestial sage, Narada the son of Lord Brahma knew the secret to defeat Tripurasur. Seeing the grieved Gods, Narada came to them and narrated the secret to Tripurasur's defeat. He asked them to please Lord Ganesha by meditating upon his monosyllabic name 'AUM'.

The Gods meditated upon the name of Lord Ganesha. Pleased by their austerities, Lord Ganesha was invoked. When Ganesha appeared, the Gods glorified Him by chanting the Eight Shloka Strotra (Pranamya Shirasa Devam Gauri Putram Viinayakam) which is also known as ‘Sankatnashanam Ganapati Stotra’. They asked Ganesha to protect them from the wrath of Tripurasura.  

Lord Ganesha was pleased by the Eight Shloka Strotra and pronounced, "I shall protect all those who recite this Strotra. I am pleased pleased by all Gods present here. I shall now being about the fall of Tripurasur through Lord Shiva's powers".

Following this, Lord Ganesha disguised as a Brahmin.

The Brahmin went to the court of Tripurasur and said, "O mighty King, I am a very learned and wise Brahmin. I heard your fame and therefore came to met you. I have mastery over sixty four arts".

Tripurasur was pleased to hear he Brahmin's claim. He said, "O respected Brahmin, I am pleased to see you. Show me your art. If your performance pleases me, I will offer whatever you ask me for - even my life!".

The Brahmin said, "O King, I shall give your three aeroplanes. You can use these to go anywhere you desire. These aeroplanes cannot be destroyed by anyone other than Lord Shiva".

This came as a surprise to Tripurasur. He was elated by the Brahmin's art and asked him to express his wish.

The Brahmin said, "O mighty King, I want the idol of Lord Chintamani which is currently in possession of Lord Shiva". Tripurasur was compelled by his words and sent one of his messengers to Mount Mandar. 

The messenger demanded Lord Shiva to surrender the idol of Chintamani. However, Lord Shiva angrily refused to part with the pious idol.

Tripurasur could not stand Shiva's refusal and attacked Him with his army. The war began. However, the Gods, Ganas and Lord Shiva himself forgot to remember Lord Ganesha before starting the war. 

On their way, Lord Shiva and his alleys began facing hurdles. The chariot on which Lord Shiva rode broken down. There were many other hurdles in the way of Shiva and his army. When the Gods faced the demons army, they were terrified by the strenght of demon army and left the battlefield, leaving Shiva alone in the field. Shiva disappeared in eternity and seeing the situation. On the other hand, Goddess Parvati left the Mandar mountain and went to her parent's home in Himalayan mountains. 

Amid the turmoil, Tripurasur went to the Mount Mandar and found the idol of Chintamani. He took the idol and began on the way back to home. However, the idol was very powerful and pious. It disappeared from the hands of Tripurasur. Tripurasur was forlorn. He returned home with a heavy heart.

Following the defeat of Gods, Sage Narad went to Lord Shiva and told him the reason behind his defeat. He recalled that Lord Shiva and his alleys has forgotten to remember Lord Ganesha at the start of war. Sage Narad asked Lord Shiva to please Lord Ganesha to gain his blessings and attention.

Thus, Lord Shiva performed penance to invoke Lord Ganesha in Dandakaranya. After a prolonged phase of penance, Lord Ganesha emerged from Lord Shiva's face. In this form, Ganesha had five faces, ten hands, a crescent of moon on the crest, a garland of heads around his neck and an ornament of serpents. He appeared both like Shiva and Gajanana.

Lord Ganesha said, "Chant my base (beeja) Mantra and send an arrow on the aeroplanes of Tripurasur. This will destroy his three cities and then you can kill Tripurasur". 

Lord Ganesha asked Shiva to remember Him in this form to avoid any obstacles in his work. Lord Ganesha also revealed the Sahastranam Strotra (one thousand names) to Lord Shiva and ensured that chanting of Sahastranam Strotra  helps a person in getting rid of miseries and obtaining the desired fruits.

Following this, Lord Shiva chanted the Sahastranam to invoke Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha appeared and blessed Lord Shiva to gain victory over Tripurasur.

The place where Lord Ganesha appeared is an auspicious place. Lord Shiva established a Ganesha temple here. Presently this temple is known as Mahaganapati and lies in the city of Ranjangaon (known as Manipur in olden days).

Lord Shiva once again returned to battle against Tripurasur. This time, Earth became his chariot and Lord Brahma became his charioteer. The Sun and Moon Gods offered to become the wheels of the chariot. Mount Meru become his bow and Lord Vishnu became his arrow. The Ashwini Kumars became the horses to pull the Shiva's chariot. 

Lord Shiva remembered Lord Ganesha and took vow to destroy Tripurasura. With determination and belief He targeted the arrow towards the cities of Tripurasur. The cities were devastated and Tripurasur attained salvation. This happened on the day of Kartiki Purnima and hence it is also called Tripuri Purnima. The day is celebrated as a festival in some of the Ganesha Temples, including the temple of Mahaganapati in Ranjangaon.

Asthavinayaka 1. Story of Mayureshwar, Morgeaon - 1

The City of Gandaki was once ruled by King Chakrapani. He was a brave and virtuous King. The king's wife Ugra was equally virtuous and chaste. Their subjects were very happy with the King.

However, the King was always worried as he had no child. So they went to seek advise of Sage Shaunak. The sage advised them to perform Suryapasana, a penance to invoke and please the Sun God.

After years of asperities, the Sun God blessed the couple and Ugra convinced a child. However, as the child came from the blessings of Sun God, it had immense heat and Ugra was unable to carry it. Therefore she released the gestated baby in the sea. The sea accepted the baby as blessings of Sun God. After some time, a beautiful radiant baby boy was born in the cradle of sea. To take care of the child, sea took form of a Brahmin. He handed this baby back to King Chakrapani.

The King named the child as Sindhu, meaning one who us affiliated to the mighty sea. He put Sindhu under the guidance of Shukracharya who also taught him the Suryamantra.

Sindhu performed penances for over two thousand years to please Sun God with the powers of Suryamantra. Pleased by Sindhu's penance the Sun God offered him the ambrosia, the eternal drink. He asked Sindhu to drink the nectar and assured him- "Sindhu this is the nectar of eternity. Drink it. Till the time this nectar resides in your stomach, death shall not come to you".

Pleased by the boon and blessings revived, Sindhu came back to the city of Gandki. His father King Chakrapani ceremonially crowned him as his successor to the throne and went into the forest for meditation.

King Sindhu was now overcome by his hunger for power and fame. He desired to become the unrivaled King if all three domains of existence. Thus he raged war against many kings and brought several kingdoms under his control. He army expanded as the demons impressed by his might came and joined.

King Sindhu even attacked Amravati, the Kingdom of Heaven. He defeated the ruler of heaven - Lord Indra and expelled all Gods from heaven. He even mesmerized Lord Vishnu and asked him to abandon His abode Vaikunth. He told Lord Vishnu to come and reside in the city of Gandaki. Consequent to this, Sindhu decided to take control of Mount Kailas and abode of Lord Brahma - Satyalok.

Meanwhile, the Gods sought advise of their preceptor Guru Brahaspati to subdue Sindhu. The Guru advised them to invoke Lord Ganesha. The Gods performed penance to please Lord Ganesha for several years. Pleased by their devotion, Ganesha appeared before them and assured them to slay Sindhu.

Meanwhile, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati troubled by the antics of Sindhu, abandoned Mount Kailash and went to Mountain Meru to live peacefully. Here Lord Shiva guided Goddess Parvati to monosyllabic Ganapati Mantra. He asked Parvati to chant the mantra for twelve years.

Thus Goddess Parvati devoted herself to the meditation of Lord Ganesha for over twelve years. Finally Lord Ganesha appeared before Her and gave her the boon of having Him as Her son.

Following this, one day when Parvati was lonely, she was deeply overcome by feeling of motherhood. She took the smear of saffron and tumeric from her body  moulded wet mud 

On one Bhadrapad Shuddha Chaturthi, Parvati an idol of Ganesha of clay & performed its pooja. Suddenly that idol became alive & told Parvati that has desired by her, ha has taken Avatar in her house to kill demon Sindhu.

Lord Shivshankar named him ‘Ganesh’. Lord Mahadev also gave him the boon that whosoever remembers Ganesha before starting a work, will successfully complete the work.

In the young age Ganesha killed many demons. At the age of six, Vishwakarma worshipped Ganesh & endowed him with Paash (noose), Parasu (battleaxe), Ankusha (hook) & kamala (lotus).

Tired by demon’s disturbance, Lord Mahadev decided to leave Mountain Meru also. While moving to some other place with Goddess Parvati & young Ganesh, Lord Shiva’s army was attacked by demon Kamlasur, who came with an army of 12 crores. Demon Kamlasur mounted on horse & young Ganesha mounted on peacock had fierce battle. The demons army was defeated. 

However, Ganesha couls not defeat Kamalasur because from his blood many more demons were created. Shri Ganesh remembered Siddhi & Buddhi & ordered them to eat all the demons creating from the blood of Kamlasur. Siddhi & Buddhi ate away all demons. At last Kamlasur was cut into two pieces with Ganesha’s Trishul. The Place where the head of Kamalasur was thrown is the Morgaon Kshetra. Vishwakarma constructed a city & temple in that place.

Then Shankar, Parvati & Ganesh started towards Gandaki city where the Gods were imprisoned. First, as a matter of courtesy Nandi was sent to meet demon Sindhu to ask him to release the Gods. Sindhurasur refused & war was ensued.

Nandi, Veerbhadra, Kartikeya & other Shiva ganas fought with the demons. On the first day Sindhu’s one hand was broken by Ganesh. On the second day his two brothers-in-laws Kala & Vikala were killed & on the third day his sons Dharma & Adharma were destroyed by Kartikeya.

Sindhu’s Father King Chakrapani advised him to release the gods. But he refused. He came running towards Mayureshwar with his sword held high. Suddenly Ganesha took a small form got down from peacock & send an arrow which pierced Sindhu’ navel & broke it. Out came the nectar given by sun to Sindhu. Sindhu fell dead.

Shri Ganesh was seated on the throne by Chakrapani & Brahma’s daughters Siddhi & Buddhi were married to him. Shri Ganesh lived there for many years. After that he took leave of everybody & disappeared. Before doing so he gave his peacock to Kartikeya.

Whoever hears the story of Mayureshwar has all his desire fulfills. His wealth & fame increases.