The Ballaleshwar temple at Pali is a Ganesha temple in Raigad district, Maharashtra, and the third stop of the Ashtavinayak yatra. Of the eight it is the only one named after a devotee, the boy Ballal. The temple is open from 5 am to 10:30 pm (temple trust).
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- Place
- Pali, Sudhagad taluka, Raigad district
- State
- Maharashtra
- Country
- India
- Official website
- Shree Ballaleshwar Devasthan, Pali (shreeballaleshwarpali.org)
- Map
- OpenStreetMap (18.5356, 73.2241)
Darshan and aarti timings
| Darshan (Ballaleshwar and Dhundi Vinayak) | 5 am to 10:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Aarti | 8 pm |
| Devotees’ own puja in the sanctum (through the priest) | 5:30 am to noon |
| Prasad meal | 11 am to 2:30 pm |
According to the trust the temple is never opened after 10:30 pm. Every Chaturthi evening there is a panchamrit bath, dressing, offering, aarti and a palanquin procession.
Source: shreeballaleshwarpali.orgChecked: Times can change; check the official source before you go.
In the Ashtavinayak yatra
The Ashtavinayak are eight Ganesha temples in Maharashtra. According to Maharashtra Tourism the yatra begins and ends at Morgaon: Morgaon, Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Theur, Lenyadri, Ozar, Ranjangaon and back to Morgaon. Pali is the third stop. Tradition holds all eight images to be swayambhu, found in natural form rather than carved (Maharashtra Tourism leaflet).
The story of Ballal (by tradition)
The temple trust gives this story: Ballal, son of the merchant Kalyan Sheth and Indumati of Pallipur, worshipped a stone as Ganesha. His father broke up the worship, beat him and tied him to a tree. Ganesha freed him and stayed in that stone as "Ballal Vinayak"; this is Ballaleshwar. The stone the father threw away is worshipped as Dhundi Vinayak, who faces west, and the custom is to see Dhundi Vinayak first.
The trust names the Ganesha Purana (Upasana Khanda, chapters 22-23) and the Mudgala Purana (Khanda 8, chapters 37-40) for this story; we have not checked these chapters ourselves.
History
According to the temple trust, Chimaji Appa and Nanasaheb Peshwa stayed at Pali in May 1740; the stone temple was built from 1751 to about 1770, entrusted by Nanasaheb to Baburao Phadnis and finished by Baburao and his son Moroba. The assembly hall was built in 1902-1908 by Krishnaji Narayan alias Bhau Ringe, and after a fire in 1910-11 repairs were made in 1929-1932. According to Raigad district and the Kolaba gazetteer the temple has a Portuguese bell from Vasai (Bassein), brought by Chimaji Appa.
According to Maharashtra Tourism the temple faces east and is built in the shape of the letter "Shri"; the image’s trunk turns to the left and its eyes and navel are set with diamonds.
How to reach Ballaleshwar
- According to Maharashtra Tourism Pali is about 110 km from Mumbai (via National Highway 66 and Nagothane) and about 120 km from Pune (via Paud and Mulshi); the nearest railway station, Roha, is about 28 km away.
Main festivals
Where the sources differ
- Who built the stone temple: the trust says Baburao and Moroba Phadnis; the Maharashtra Tourism leaflet Nana Phadnavis; its web page and Raigad district just "Shri Fadnis". The original temple: Raigad district and the leaflet say 1640, the web page a wooden temple of the 11th century.
- The Kolaba gazetteer (1964) says the image was brought to Pali from Murud, while tradition holds it to be swayambhu. Distances: the Maharashtra Tourism web page gives Mumbai 110 and Pune 120 km, its leaflet 68 and 89 km.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ashtavinayak is named after a devotee?
Ballaleshwar of Pali, named after the boy devotee Ballal.
When is the Ballaleshwar temple at Pali open?
According to the temple trust, from 5 am to 10:30 pm; the aarti is at 8 pm.
Where is Ballaleshwar Temple?
Ballaleshwar Temple is in Pali, Sudhagad taluka, Raigad district, Maharashtra.
What are the darshan timings at Ballaleshwar Temple?
Darshan (Ballaleshwar and Dhundi Vinayak): 5 am to 10:30 pm; Aarti: 8 pm; Devotees’ own puja in the sanctum (through the priest): 5:30 am to noon; Prasad meal: 11 am to 2:30 pm. Source: shreeballaleshwarpali.org, checked 5 October 2026; check the official source before you go.
Which lists of tirthas include Ballaleshwar?
The Ashtavinayak (number 3 of 8 in the list).
How to reach Ballaleshwar?
According to Maharashtra Tourism Pali is about 110 km from Mumbai (via National Highway 66 and Nagothane) and about 120 km from Pune (via Paud and Mulshi); the nearest railway station, Roha, is about 28 km away.
Sources
- Shree Ballaleshwar Devasthan, Pali: temple activities; the legend; our history; festivals: https://www.shreeballaleshwarpali.org/mr/temple-activities ; https://www.shreeballaleshwarpali.org/mr/mythical-story ; https://www.shreeballaleshwarpali.org/mr/our-history ; https://www.shreeballaleshwarpali.org/mr/festivals
- Maharashtra Tourism: Pali: https://maharashtratourism.gov.in/ashtavinayak/pali/
- Department of Tourism, Maharashtra, leaflet "A divine journey: Ashtavinayak pilgrimage in Maharashtra": https://maharashtratourism.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MH-Leaflet-Ashta-Vinayak-Slides.pdf
- Raigad district: religious places in Raigad: https://raigad.gov.in/en/tourist-place/religious-places-in-raigad/
- Maharashtra State Gazetteer, Kolaba district, 1964: Pali: https://gazetteers.maharashtra.gov.in/cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/KOLABA/places_Pali.html
- Coordinates: Wikidata (Q13119166), CC0
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