The Vighneshwar (Vighnahar) temple at Ozar is a Ganesha temple on the Kukdi river in Junnar taluka, Pune district, Maharashtra. In the Ashtavinayak yatra it comes after Lenyadri and before Ranjangaon. By tradition Ganesha defeated the demon Vighnasura here and, at the demon’s plea, took the name Vighneshwar.
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- Place
- Ozar, on the Kukdi river, Junnar taluka, Pune district
- State
- Maharashtra
- Country
- India
- Map
- OpenStreetMap (19.1881, 73.9596)
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. Ozar comes after Lenyadri and before Ranjangaon. Tradition holds all eight images to be swayambhu, found in natural form rather than carved (Maharashtra Tourism leaflet).
The story and the temple
According to Maharashtra Tourism a demon named Vighnasura kept disrupting sacrifices; Ganesha defeated him, and he begged that his name stay joined with Ganesha’s, so here Ganesha is called Vighneshwar.
According to the temple trust the temple was built in the Peshwa period and faces east; the image has its trunk to the left, rubies in its eyes and a diamond on its forehead and navel, with brass Riddhi and Siddhi on either side. The courtyard has two stone lamp-towers, lit on Tripurari Purnima. According to Maharashtra Tourism Chimaji Appa restored the temple and gilded its spire after the victory at Vasai.
How to reach Vighneshwar
- According to Maharashtra Tourism Ozar is 9 km from Narayangaon on the Pune-Nashik highway (National Highway 60); Pune airport and Pune railway station are about 85 km away, and Lenyadri 15 km.
Main festivals
Where the sources differ
- The demon’s name: the Maharashtra Tourism web page says Vighnasura, its leaflet a demon called "Vigneshwara". The restoration by Chimaji Appa is given by Maharashtra Tourism; the temple trust’s website does not mention it.
- Distance from Pune: the Maharashtra Tourism web page gives about 85 km, its leaflet 145 km by road.
- The temple trust’s (Shree Vighnahar Ganpati Devsthan Trust) website currently carries injected advertising content, so its link and the darshan times from it are not given here.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Ganesha of Ozar called Vighneshwar?
By tradition Ganesha defeated Vighnasura here and, at the demon’s plea, joined his name to his own (Maharashtra Tourism).
Where is Vighneshwar Temple?
Vighneshwar Temple is in Ozar, on the Kukdi river, Junnar taluka, Pune district, Maharashtra.
Which lists of tirthas include Vighneshwar?
The Ashtavinayak (number 7 of 8 in the list).
How to reach Vighneshwar?
According to Maharashtra Tourism Ozar is 9 km from Narayangaon on the Pune-Nashik highway (National Highway 60); Pune airport and Pune railway station are about 85 km away, and Lenyadri 15 km.
Sources
- Maharashtra Tourism: Ozar: https://maharashtratourism.gov.in/ashtavinayak/ozar/
- 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
- Shree Vighnahar Ganpati Devsthan Trust, Ozar: about the temple (Marathi), shreevighnaharganpatiozar.com/about/
- Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, Poona, 1885: Ozar: https://gazetteers.maharashtra.gov.in/cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/Poona%20District/places_o.html
- Coordinates: Wikidata (Q7928965), CC0
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