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Varadvinayak Temple, Mahad
Shri Varadvinayak · 4th Ashtavinayak · Maharashtra
॥ ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥
The Varadvinayak Temple at Mahad in Raigad district is the fourth of the eight Ashtavinayak, where Ganesha is the giver of boons — varad. It is among the most approachable of the eight, the one shrine where devotees may enter the sanctum and worship the idol with their own hands, beneath a lamp said to have burned without pause for well over a century.
The giver of boons
Varadvinayak means “Ganesha who grants wishes.” The local tradition links the shrine to a king named Bhima or to the devotee Grutsamada, and to the boon-giving grace for which the deity is sought. The east-facing idol, found in a nearby lake, is worshipped as swayambhu.
The lamp that never goes out
A hanging oil lamp in the sanctum, the Nandadeep, is said to have been kept continuously alight since 1892 — a quiet emblem of unbroken devotion that pilgrims come specially to see. The simple stone temple has a dome topped by a golden pinnacle and stone elephants at its corners.
A shrine you can touch
Unlike most Ashtavinayak, Mahad allows devotees into the inner sanctum to garland the idol and perform worship themselves, which gives the darshan an unusually personal feeling. The temple sits in the Konkan lowlands, an easy stop between Mumbai, Pune and the coast.
How to reach Mahad
- By road: the temple is at Mahad village near Khopoli in Raigad district, about 80 km from Mumbai and 85 km from Pune, just off the expressway.
- By train: Khopoli and Karjat are the nearest railheads.
- By air: Mumbai Airport is the closest, around 85 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ashtavinayak is Mahad?
Mahad’s Varadvinayak Temple is the fourth of the eight Ashtavinayak, where Ganesha is worshipped as the giver of boons (varad).
Can devotees enter the sanctum at Mahad?
Yes — Mahad is unusual among the Ashtavinayak in allowing devotees into the inner sanctum to garland and personally worship the idol.
What is the Nandadeep lamp?
It is a hanging oil lamp in the sanctum said to have burned continuously since 1892, regarded as a symbol of unbroken devotion.
What does Varadvinayak mean?
Varadvinayak means “Ganesha who grants boons or wishes,” and the shrine is sought by devotees praying for the fulfilment of their desires.
How do I reach Mahad?
The temple is at Mahad near Khopoli in Raigad district, about 80 km from Mumbai and 85 km from Pune, just off the expressway. Khopoli is the nearest railhead.
Is Mahad near the famous Mahad of Ambedkar?
No — this Ashtavinayak Mahad is a village near Khopoli in Raigad, distinct from the larger Mahad town associated with Dr. Ambedkar’s satyagraha.
॥ गणपति बाप्पा मोरया ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Position | 4th of the eight Ashtavinayak |
| Deity | Ganesha as Varadvinayak (giver of boons) |
| Special | Devotees may enter the sanctum; Nandadeep lamp lit since 1892 |
| River | Savitri |
| Main Festival | Ganesh Jayanti / Ganesh Chaturthi |