Arguably the most popular among the Ashtavinayak ( Swayambhu Ganpatis) of Maharashtra is Mayureshwar in Morgaon, a small village on the Pune- Solapur route on the banks of the Karha river.
Some say the village is named Morgaon because it is shaped like a peacock while the commonplace explanation is that peacocks were aplenty in this village and hence the name.
Coming to the deity, Ganpati goes by the name of Mayureshwar. Multiple legends about Mayureshwar—. One, there was a demon named Sindhu who took many gods and goddesses prisoners. Ganpati descended on earth riding a peacock and killed the demon at this very spot and stayed here acceding to the requests from devotees. A second version is that Sage Kashyap gave a boon to his wife Vinita that she would have a son in the form of a bird. Accidentally Ganapati broke the egg and out came a peacock and fought with him. Peace was restored with the peacock demanding that Ganpati should take its name here and hence Mayureshwar.
The temple and its outer walls show a distinct Islamic architecture. See the minaret and the awnings on the walls. Possibly it was done to keep marauders at bay, in those days. We had to stand in the queue starting from the street on a hot afternoon. Took us nearly 2 1/2 hours to complete the darshan. No short-cuts, no special darshan, nothing is possible. As we climb up from the street on to the outer courtyard, strangely enough there is a huge Nandi, something seen in Shiva temples only. Legend has it that this Nandi was being transported to some Shiva temple, the cart broke down and despite all efforts, the Nandi couldn’t be moved from here.
Once we reach the sanctum santorum, we see Mayureshwar covered with vermillion, rubies flashing from his navel with Riddhi and Siddhi by his side a mouse and peacock before the Lord.
The Ashtavinayak Yatra is supposed to be started from here and also concluded here. However the order of visit chosen by us was different but am sure Mayureshwar would not mind it.
Ganpati Bappa Morya!
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