Eight Incarnations of Lord Ganesha: Lord Ballaleshwar of Pali
August 31st 2008 21:12
Category: Indian Sciences
Ballaleshwar Pali temple is one of the eight temples of Lord Ganesha, Ashtavinayak. Among Astavinayakas, Pali's Ballaleshwar is the only vinayak who is famous by his devotee's name. It is located in village Pali which is at a distance of 30 km from Karjat a town in the Raigad district near Mumbai.
Legend
This is story of Krityuga in the country Sindhu. In the village of Pali there was a businessman called Kalyan & his wife Indumati. They had a son Ballal who was a staunch devotee of Ganpati. Along with other children Ballal used to worship with small stones being treated as Gods. Once the children went outside the village & saw a big stone. At the insistence of Ballal, the children treated the stone as Ganpati & started worshipping. All of them got so engrossed that they forgot about hunger & thirst or about day or night. When the children did not return till late their parents visited Kalyan’s house and complained about Ballal to them. In his anger he went in search of the children on finding Ballal and others engrossed in the worship of Lord Ganesha he beat them blue and tied Ballal to a tree. He also threw the big stone the children were worshipping. Ballal continued to pray and moved by his devotion Lord Ganesha visited him in the form of a Brahmin and blessed him. He also promised Ballal that he will remain in one of his form in the village and bless
all those who visit the temple.
The stone idol which Kalyan threw away is also called as Dhundi Vinayak. He is worshipped before Ballaleshwar is worshipped.
The temple
The original wooden temple was renovated in 1760 to make way for a new stone temple designed by Shri Fadnis. This stone is shaped in the form of the letter 'shree'; it was made by mixing lead with the cement during construction. The east-facing temple was carefully positioned so that during Dakshinayan at sun-rise, the rays of the sun falls directly on the Vinayaka.
The temple complex encircles two lakes and is tiled throughout. There are two Sanctums (Gribhagriha) in the temple, an Inner and Outer Sanctum. The Outer Sanctum contains the figurine in the shape of a rat which holds Modak in its hands while facing Ganesh. The main hall of the temple is 40 feet long and 20 feet broad. It contains 8 pillars which resemble the cyprus throne tree.
The deity
The statue of Vinayaka, sits on a stone throne. It faces east and with its trunk turned left, sitting against a background of silver which displays Riddhi and Siddhi waving fans. The idol's eyes and navel contain diamonds.
Worshipping Lord Ballaleshwar frees up the devotees of all miseries in life. The deity is said to be famous for quick response to devotee's prayers.
This is story of Krityuga in the country Sindhu. In the village of Pali there was a businessman called Kalyan & his wife Indumati. They had a son Ballal who was a staunch devotee of Ganpati. Along with other children Ballal used to worship with small stones being treated as Gods. Once the children went outside the village & saw a big stone. At the insistence of Ballal, the children treated the stone as Ganpati & started worshipping. All of them got so engrossed that they forgot about hunger & thirst or about day or night. When the children did not return till late their parents visited Kalyan’s house and complained about Ballal to them. In his anger he went in search of the children on finding Ballal and others engrossed in the worship of Lord Ganesha he beat them blue and tied Ballal to a tree. He also threw the big stone the children were worshipping. Ballal continued to pray and moved by his devotion Lord Ganesha visited him in the form of a Brahmin and blessed him. He also promised Ballal that he will remain in one of his form in the village and bless
The stone idol which Kalyan threw away is also called as Dhundi Vinayak. He is worshipped before Ballaleshwar is worshipped.
The temple
The original wooden temple was renovated in 1760 to make way for a new stone temple designed by Shri Fadnis. This stone is shaped in the form of the letter 'shree'; it was made by mixing lead with the cement during construction. The east-facing temple was carefully positioned so that during Dakshinayan at sun-rise, the rays of the sun falls directly on the Vinayaka.
The temple complex encircles two lakes and is tiled throughout. There are two Sanctums (Gribhagriha) in the temple, an Inner and Outer Sanctum. The Outer Sanctum contains the figurine in the shape of a rat which holds Modak in its hands while facing Ganesh. The main hall of the temple is 40 feet long and 20 feet broad. It contains 8 pillars which resemble the cyprus throne tree.
The deity
The statue of Vinayaka, sits on a stone throne. It faces east and with its trunk turned left, sitting against a background of silver which displays Riddhi and Siddhi waving fans. The idol's eyes and navel contain diamonds.
Worshipping Lord Ballaleshwar frees up the devotees of all miseries in life. The deity is said to be famous for quick response to devotee's prayers.
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