It was my cousin wedding in Junner and I am from Dholvad, Junner (8KM from Ozar). I was great time to attended wedding as well as visit Ozar and Lenyadri.
From long time I was thinking to go to Ashtavinayaka Darshan (1. Morgaon(Mayureshwar)- 2.Siddhatek(Siddheshwar) - 3.Pali(Ballaleshwar) - 4.Mahad(Varad Vinayak) - 5.Theur(Chintamani) - 6. Lenyadri(Girijatmaja) - 7.Ozar(Vighneshwar) - 8.Ranjangaon(Mahaganapati) ) But due to some work, reason not able to make it. So though let visit at-least two of them i. e Vigneshwara Temple, Ozar and Shree Girijatmaja Temple, Lenyadri.
Vigneshwara Temple, Ozar
‘Vighnaharta’ (Marathi language word) means Remover of Obstacles from your path and that is the name given to this Lord Ganesh at this temple Ozar. Lord Ganesh got this name when he defeated ‘Vignasura’ the demon of obstacles.
Ozar is located about 85 km from Pune off the Pune-Nashik highway and about 9 km north to Narayangaon and 160 km from Mumbai.
We drove bike from Kalyan to Dholvad (otur, Junner) and drove down to Ozar the next morning. Our journey route map as bellow. It was always awesome experience driving in Malshej route (specially monsoon). Yet Monsoon have not started but we are getting glimpse of it in between. Check this morning driving video in Malshej ghat.
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| Route map from kalyan |
In Ozar you were welcome by welcome gate.
There is an entry fee of Rs.20 for each vehicle. There is sufficient free parking for many vehicles in the parking lot next to the river. The temple is next to the Kukadi River and boats are available near the embankment for pleasure trips. The temple was brightly painted and there was an orderly queue for darshan. The temple is surrounded by a fortified wall from all sides.
We had a nice darshan as there was not much rush. There are a number of restaurants and shops selling various items required for pujas and religious purposes.
Around the temple there are some Bhakta Niwas lodgings for the pilgrims to stay. There are some private hotels too. They are very affordable.
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Information about pricing and rooms
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Bhakt Nivas for Stay
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We prayed for the blessings of Shree Vignahar Ganpati Deva to remove the obstacles coming in my and my families way.
Some inside pics of temple
After darshan we had done tp near by river and went to cousin wedding.
Shree Girijatmaja Temple, Lenyadri
In the Afternoon we we drove to Lenyadr, It was 10 km away from wedding location.
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Lenyadri caves
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Lenyadri caves are really a man made natural wonder. These caves are cut in a mountain at a height of about 200 meters. To reach these caves we have to climb around 300 steps stone steps. Around 26 caves are there. In one of the caves You can have Dharshan Shree Girijatmaja Vinayak.
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| Stair's from half way |
Mobiles, hand bags and camera's are allowed. But taking shree's picture is prohibited, other photography is permitted. At starting of stair you have to purchase entry pass of 15 Rs. They have clean wash rooms at starting point of stair.
After climbing the steps you will reach the first cave a Buddhist stupa cave but some persons mistook it to be a Shivling. Local says if you throw coin on stupa and coin land on the top without falling back then your wish will be fulfilled
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| Buddhist stupa cave |
Little bit up you will find another big cave. There you will enter very big hall,a man made wonder. Unbelievable big hall with out any supporting pillars. The ceiling, cut in the rock but look like neatly plastered one. At the end of this hall Lord Shree Girijatmaja is there.
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| Main big cave where shree ganesha is |
You can have a very peaceful Dharshan. It's little bit hard for Senior Citizens to climb these steps. For their help PALANQUIN are there. A very good arrangement by authorities. The PALANQUIN charge for up and down is Rs.700/-.
While stepping down we noticed that the monkeys there were not snatching anything as the devotees had placed a large amount of food items like biscuits,groundnuts etc on the stone boundary walls on one side.
Enough for them to be fully satisfied. It was easier to walk down and we took in the view of the vast landscape and the fresh air and greenery.
After Lenyadri we again come back to wedding location.
Thanks for reading
