Shri Girijatmaj Lenyadri Ganpati Temple
About
One of the Ashtavinayak Temples of Maharashtra; the abode of the Pandavas - all these and much more are some of the laurels associated to the Shri Girijatmaj Lenyadri Ganpati Temple. Legend has it, Shri Girijatmaj Lenyadri Ganpati Temple was the same place where Goddess Parvati meditated for 12 years for a child. That's how Ganesha was born. And it is from the same incident the temple is known as 'Girijatmaj' - 'Girija' meaning Devi Parvati and 'Aatmaj' meaning son.
To reach the main sanctum of the temple, pilgrims will have to climb a flight of 338 stairs. Right in front of the temple, there are two water reservoirs that remain covered with water. There are approximately eighteen rooms in the main temple hall (also known as Sabhamandap), which were used by saints for tapascharya. In one of the rooms, tourists can find the rock statue of Shri Girijatmaj Lenyadri Ganapati. All the 30 Lenyadri Caves including the Shri Girijatmaj Lenyadri Ganpati Temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India. Do not miss to buy the locally harvested grapes, black raisins, Sapottas (Chikus) at the base of the mountains.
