Chappan Vinayak Mandirs of Varanasi - The 56 Ganesh Temples of Varanasi - Introduction

 Introduction 

All places across the world, the 8 avatars of Ganesh are worshipped. These forms of Ganpati are as follows.

Vakratunda

Ekadanta

Mahodara

Gajanana

Lambodara

Vikata

Vighnaraja

Dhumravarna

In Maharashtra there is a popular pilgrimage which began in 1700s with the various Peshwas and their ministers re-discovering or renovating the existing temples and promoting the circuit of eight temples. This pilgrimage is called the Ashtavinayaka.

The seniority of the temples which are suggested to visit is as follows.

Mayureshwar at Morgaon near Pune

Siddhivinayak at Siddhatek, Ahilyanagar

Ballaleshwar at Pali near Raigad

Varadavinayak at Mahad near Raigad

Chintamani at Theur near Pune

Girijatmaj at Lenyadari near Pune

Vighneshwar at Ozar near Pune

Mahaganpati at Ranjangaon near Pune

It is only in Varanasi that there exist 56 temples of Vinayaka. 

The 56 Vinayak Temples of Kashi

If you are planning to visit Varanasi, the various Vinayak Temples have to be on your list. If you want to visit all the 56 temples, you need to keep aside at least 5 days. There are many organisations and guides which can organise this visit for you. I plan to put a list of such organisations as I keep updating the article. 

The temples are divided into clusters. The articles on this blog will also be according to the clusters since that will facilitate your yatra with ease.


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