The Mahaganapati Temple

About The Mahaganapati Temple

Ranjangaon is a village located at a distance of about 50 km from Pune, enroute to Aurangabad in Maharashtra, and it houses a shrine to Mahaganapati. Ranjangaoncha Mahaganapati is considered to be one of the Ashta Vinayak shrines of Maharashtra, celebrating eight instances of legends related to Ganesha. ashta_vinayak.jpg (76797 bytes)

Legend has it that a demon by name Tripurasura built three powerful citadels (the evil Tripuram forts); with a boon of invincibility granted to him by Shiva he caused suffering to all beings in the heavens and on earth. Upon hearing the fervent appeals of the Gods, Shiva intervened, and realized that he could not defeat the demon. It was upon hearing Narada Muni’s advice that Shiva saluted Ganesha and then shot a single arrow that pierced through the citadels, bringing an end to the demon.

Shiva, the slayer of the Tripura citadels is enshrined at Bhimashankaram nearby. A variation of this legend is commonly known in South India. Ganesha is said to have caused the axle in Shiva’s chariot to break, as the latter headed to battle the demon without saluting Ganesha before he set out. Upon realizing his act of omission, Shiva saluted his son Ganesha, and then proceded victoriously to a short battle against the powerful demon. (See Acharapakkam - an ancient temple in Tamilnadu glorified by the 1st millennium tamil hymns enshrining Shiva associated with this legend, as well as Tiruvirkolam and Tiruvatikai - both over 1200 years old, associated with the legend of Tripurasamhaaram).

Interesting things to do

Shiva is believed to have worshipped Ganesha before fighting the demon Tripurasura here. The temple was built by Shiva where he worshipped Ganesha, and the town he set up was called Manipur which is now known as Ranjangaon.

Temple trust has made good arrangement s for keeping the footwear. There are lots of shops on the way where you can buy the things like flowers, coconut etc. While talking to shop keeper, I came to know that there is custom of offering Jaggery to Ganesh ido here in Ranjangon which I found something strange.

Interesting things to Visit

Siddhivinayaka:
Located at Siddhatek(Ahmednagar District) about 19 km from Daund.Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the right. The temple situated next to Bhima river,faces the north and has idols of other gods like Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati.Vishnu vanquished the demons Madhu and Kaitab after propitiating Ganesha here. A dharmashala for travelling pilgrims has been built here.

Nearest Visiting places

Bhimashankar:
It is a picturesque spot around 95 kilometres from Pune with deep forests, temples, rivers and other attractions. The place is most famous for the temple of Lord Shiva, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. It is also the source of the river Bhim. Bhimashankar is a must-visit for those interested in trekking, nature watching and bird watching.

Jejuri:
Generally known as Khandobachi Jejuri, Jejuri is a famous Mararashtran temple. It is dedicated to Mhalsakant or Malhari Martand, worshipped by the Dhangars, one of the oldest tribes of Maharashtra. The temple is situated on a hill and can be reached after braving 200 odd steps. Jejuri is around 40 kilometres south-east of Pune, towards Phaltan.

Raigad:
It is the place where Shivaji was crowned in 1648 and died in 1680. The fort on an isolated hilltop gives a breathtaking view of the Western Ghats. It is a steep climb to the hilltop, but well worth the effort. Raigad is at a distance of about 126 kms from Pune.

Sinhagad:
The Lion Fort or Sinhagad which is around 25 kms south-west of Pune is atop a steep hill. Almost ruined now, it has an interesting history. In the year 1670, Tanaji Malusre, a general of Shivaji, scaled the steep hill in the dark with his troops and defeated the forces of Bijapur. Legend has it that the Maratha forces used trained lizards for carrying the ropes up the hill. It is here that Mahatma Gandhi met another stalwart of the Indian freedom struggle, Bal Gangadhar Tilak for the first time, in 1915.

Parvati Hill temples:
It is a splendid temple built by Balaji Baji Rao and occupies a significant place for the pilgrim tourists. You have to climb 108 steep and narrow steps in order to reach the hill top temple. Formerly it was the private shrine of the Peshwas. It also houses Parvati museum featuring portraits of Peshwas, ancient manuscripts and coins. From the top of the temple you can get the awe-inspiring views of the town.

Bund Garden:
This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pune and is also known as Mahatma Gandhi Udhayan. It is located on the right bank of the Mula-Mutha Rivers and was built by Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy to provide the poor with water during hot months of the summers. The adventure enthusiasts can indulge here in boat rides and horse rides.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

**Blue Diamond:**Rail Road pune maharashatra,india

**Le Meridien:**Pune maharashatra,india

Help Line/Phone Number

Karla Caves is an complex of ancient Buddhist Indian rock-cut architecture cave shrines built over the period of 3rd to 2nd century B.C. Even though the caves were constructed over a period of time and the oldest one is believed to date back to 160 BC. Located in Karli near Lonavala, Maharashtra, the caves are on an major ancient trade route, running eastward from the Arabian Sea into the Deccan. Karli’s location in Maharashtra places it in a region that is the division between North India and South India……more

Mulshi is the name of a major dam on the Mula river located in the Taluka Mulshi administrative division of the Pune district of Maharashtra State, India.Water from the dam is used for irrigation as well as for producing electricity at the Bhira hydroelectric power plant, operated by Tata Power Company LTD. The station operates six 25MW Pelton turbines and was established in 1927. It mostly supplies power to Mumbai……more

Rajmachi consists of two beautiful peaks namely ‘Shrivardhan’ and ‘Manaranjan’. Rajmachi is very famous fort near twin hill stations in Maharashtra - Lonavala and Khanadala. Rajmachi fort is nearby 18/20 Kms from Lonavala but a nice way to reach the fort is from Tungarli Lake. This trek is very good for the beginners.Shrivardhan and Manaranjan can also be considered as two separate forts. There is one small platue in between them…..more

Situated 32 km south west of Pune, and standing at an imposing 1215 m above msl overlooking Pune city, Sinhagad, even today stands testimony to the grand Maratha Regime.On top of the fort, the trekkers must try the traditional breakfast of Kanda Bhaji, a delicacy enjoyed by most. Check out Tanaji Kada, Kalyan Darwaza, Tanajis memorial…Perched on an isolated cliff of the Bhuleswar range of the Sahyadri Mountains, its height above sea-level is 1350 metres. Given natural protection by its very steep slopes, the walls and bastions were constructed at only key places; it has two gates – the Kalyan Darwaza in the south-east and the Pune Darwaza in the north-east…..more

Tikona (also known as Vitandgad) is the dominant hill fort in Maval in western India. It is located near Kamshet around 60 km from Pune The village nearest the fort is called Tikona-Peth. The 3500 ft high hill is pyramidal in shape and the name Tikona means “triangle”.The fort is a trekking destination noted for the large doors, the temple of ‘Trimbakeshwar Mahadev’, a water tank and some Satvahan caves. Trek organisers also commend the views of Pawna dam and the nearby forts of Tung, Lohagad and Visapur. There is a lake at the summit…..more

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Location info

• **Address:**Ranjangaon Maharashtra,India

• District: Pune

• Nearest City: Pune

• Best time to visit: November to January

History of The Mahaganapati Temple

According to the history the temple was build in between 9th & 10th century. Madhavrao  Peshwa  made a room in the basement of the temple to keep the idol of the lord Ganesh. Later on Sardar Kibe of Indore renovated it. Nagarkhana is situated above the entrance gate. Main temple looks like temple from Peshwa’s period. Temple facing east has huge & beautiful entrance gate.

How to reach The Mahaganapati Temple

• **Nearest Railway Station:**Uruli railway station on the Pune-Solapur line

• **Nearest Airport:**Pune airport

• **Road Transport:**Pune-Ahmednagar highway. Maharashtra,India

Nearest petrol pump

• **petrolpump:**Shikrapur ,Maharashtra,india

**Reliance Petrol Pum:**Shikrapur ,Maharashtra,india

Best time to visit The Mahaganapati Temple

Throughout the year. Major festivals draw large crowds. October to March offers the most comfortable weather.

Timings & opening hours

Typically open from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. Some temples close for a few hours in the afternoon (12:00 PM to 4:00 PM).

Entry fee & tickets

Free entry. Special darshan or pooja may require separate fees.

Duration needed

1–2 hours for darshan and exploration. More time during festivals or special occasions.

Safety tips

Remove footwear before entering the sanctum. Follow temple dress codes — cover shoulders and knees. Secure your belongings. Be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas during festivals.

Things to carry

Modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered), a shawl or scarf, small change for offerings, and a water bottle.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: depends on location (Mumbai, Pune, or Nagpur). Nearest railway station: the nearest station on the Central or Western Railway line. Well-connected by state highways.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Maharashtra’s cities have diverse food scenes. Mumbai and Pune offer everything from street food (vada pav, pav bhaji) to fine dining. Hill stations have chikki and local snacks. Temple towns offer Maharashtrian thali and local specialities.

Climate & weather

Maharashtra has a diverse climate spanning coastal Konkan, the Western Ghats, and the interior Deccan plateau. Winter (November–February) is the best time to visit: temperatures range from 12°C to 30°C depending on region. Summer (March–June) is hot, with interior areas reaching 40°C+ while hill stations (Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala) remain pleasant. The monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape into lush green. October–November is pleasant post-monsoon.

Frequently asked questions

What are the temple timings? Most temples open early morning (around 5:00–6:00 AM) for the first aarti and close after the evening aarti (around 8:00–9:00 PM). Many temples close for a few hours in the afternoon.

Is there a dress code? Yes, modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is required at most temples. Some temples provide shawls or sarongs at the entrance.

Are cameras allowed inside? Photography is often allowed in the temple complex but may be restricted inside the inner sanctum. Check signage at the entrance.

Accessibility

Religious sites may have steps at the entrance and may not have ramps. The interiors are generally level once inside. Some historic sites have uneven stone floors. Visitors with mobility concerns should check in advance.

Rules & restrictions

Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered (scarves or shawls are often available at the entrance). Photography is generally permitted without flash, but video may be restricted. Maintain silence inside. Mobile phones should be on silent mode. Remove shoes if required (indicated by signage). Do not touch artefacts or altars. These are active places of worship — respect services, festivals, and devotees.

Best photography spots

Mumbai’s Gothic and Victorian churches, Pune’s colonial-era churches, and the Portuguese-influenced churches of the Konkan coast offer rich architectural photography. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount in Bandra is iconic. Early morning light is best for city churches.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: October to March for comfortable weather
• Significance: Important religious and spiritual site for devotees
• Dress code: Traditional and modest attire recommended
• Photography: Check local guidelines; photography may be restricted in inner sanctums

Visitor information

• Timings: Generally open from sunrise to sunset. Verify local timings before planning your visit.
• Entry fee: Free entry at most temples. Donations are voluntary.
• Best time to visit: October to March for the most comfortable weather conditions.
• Duration needed: 1 to 2 hours recommended for a comfortable visit.

Map & location view

• Destination: The Mahaganapati Temple
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: religious precincts of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “The Mahaganapati Temple, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photo gallery of The Mahaganapati Temple

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of The Mahaganapati Temple on popular travel photography sites and social media.