Rangangaon

Sri Mahaganapathy,Ranjangaon

Mahaganapathy,Ranjangaon-(file picture)

The Rangangaon temple is another one of the Ashtavinayaka, the eight revered shrines of Ganesha in Maharashtra.   

Lord Shiva is believed to have worshipped Ganesha before fighting the demon Tripurasura here.

The Maha Ganpati at Ashtavinayak is the most powerful representation of Lord Ganesha. Maha Ganpati is depicted as having eight, ten or twelve arms. It is after invoking this form of Ganapati that Lord Shiva defeated the demon Tripurasur and so he is also known as Tripurarivade Mahaganpati.

Temple entrance

It is said that Madhavrao Peshwa made a room in the basement of the temple to keep the Ganesha idol. 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 and beautiful entrance gate.

This temple is constructed in such a way that Sun rays fall directly on the idol, during the southward movement of the Sun, the temple bears a distinct resemblance to the architecture reminiscent of the 9th and 10th Centuries.

Among all the Ashtavinayak temples, security here is more and you are thoroughly checked before you can enter. It is difficult to take photos even in the courtyard and outside of the sanctum

Tea & Souvenir shops

There are many shops in front of the temple where you can buy souvenirs of the Ashtavinayaka idols, pictures, pooja items, sindoor etc. Some of the tea shops make tea using lemon grass which tastes heavenly and you will be tempted to ask for another cup

Temple location It is situated at around 50 kms from Pune.

Temple Timings The temple is open from 5:00 AM till 8:00 pm

Temple's daily Pooja and Festivals

The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated from the first to the fifth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (Puratassi in Tamil), where Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth day. A festival is on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Magha. This festival is celebrated from the first to the fifth day of Magha. The palkhi or the palenquin of Ganesha is taken for three consecutive days in these festivals.

A festival and a fair is also held on Vijayadashami and Somavati Amavasya, a new moon day that falls on a Monday.

How to reach?
1) State transport bus service available between Shivaji Nagar(Pune) to Rangangaon.
2) If you are driving by your car ,it is on Pune-Ahmednagar Highway,the route is Pune - Koregaon - then via Shikrapur .

As per my experience,the best alternative is to take a group travel to Ashta Vinayaka yatra from reputed travels in Pune or Mumbai.

Where to Stay? There are not many hotels in Rangangaon, Pune is the nearest place for stay
Contact
Useful data
State: Maharashtra
District: Pune
Famous for: Pilgrimage
Languages: Marathi,Hindi
Best Season: Throughout the year. Summer( from May to July) could be very hot when the mercury shoots to 40 degree celsius. Monsoon during the month of June brings plenty of rain
Weather: Summer 33-42°C, Winter 16-28°C