Lord Ganesha has been a very popular deity and is privileged to be worshipped first and foremost bet service to any God. He is believed to be a removal of hurdles and pains and source of happiness and wishes. He is also believed to be the God of intellect and arts.
There are many places of worship Lord Ganesha all over the world and since ancient times. Among them all the famous 8 places (Ashta-Vinayaka) in Maharashtra have assured importance and people rush to him for both earthly pleasures and blessings for happy and contented life.
Shri Ballaleshwar of Pali, Dist Raigad Maharashtra is such deity that lacs of devotees throng from all over and make offerings. The deity is said to be famous for quick response to the prayers.
We welcome you to the website of Shri Ballaleshwar, who is worshipped by his followers across the word. We decided to launch this side to make all devotees aware of The Story of Shri Ballaleshwar, History of the Temple, Devasthana’s development projects and facilities for the devotees.
This is our sincere effort to share maximum information with Shri Ballaleshwar devotees. If you have any suggestions or feedback, please feel free to email us ondevasthan@ballaleshwar.com
History Of temple
Ganesh Purana gives an elaborate picture of LEELAS of Lord Ganesha. The legendary story of Shri Ballaleshwar is covered in Upasana Khand Section -22 occurred in Pali – the old name Pallipur.
Kalyansheth was a merchant in Pallipur and was married to Indumati. The couple was childless for quite some time but later was blessed with a son known as Ballal. As Ballal grew, he spent much of his time in worshiping and praying. He was devotee of Lord Ganesha and used to worship stone idol of Shri Ganesha in the forest along with his friends and companions. As it used to take time, the friends would reach home late. Regular delay in returning house used to irritate the parents of the friends of Ballal who complained to his father saying that Ballal was responsible for spoiling the kids. Already unhappy with Ballal for not concentrating on his studies, Kalyansheth was boiling with anger when he heard the complaint. Immediately he reached the place of worship in the forest and devastated Pooja arrangements organized by Ballal and his friends. He threw away the Stone Idol of Shri Ganesh and broke the pandal. All the kids got frightened but Ballal who was engrossed in Pooja and japa, did not even know what was happening around. Kalayan beat Ballal mercilessly and tied him to the tree saying to get fed and freed by Shri Ganesha. He left for home thereafter.
Ballal semiconscious and tied to the tree in the forest was lying as that with severe pain all over, started calling his beloved God, Shri Ganesha.
“O Lord, Shri Ganesha, I was busy in praying you, I was right and humble but my cruel father has spoiled my act of devotion and hence I am unable to perform Pooja.”
Shri Ganesha was pleased and responded quickly. Ballal was freed. He blessed Ballal to be superior devotee with larger lifespan. Shri Ganesha hugged Ballal and said that his father would suffer for his wrong doings.
Ballal insisted that Lord Ganesha should continue to stay there at Pali. Nodding His head Shri Ganesha made his permanent stay at Pali as Ballal Vinayak and disappeared in a large stone. This is famous as Shri Ballaleshwar.
Shri Dhundi Vinayak
In the above mentioned story the stone idol which Ballal used to worship and which was thrown away by Kalyan Sheth is known as Dhundi Vinayak. The idol is facing west. The birth celebration of Dhundi Vinayak takes place from Jeshtha Pratipada to Panchami. From ancient time, it is a practice to take darshan of Dhundi Vinayak before proceeding to main idol Shree Ballaleshwar. |
