Mahad Ganpati Temple | Varad Vinayak Temple

Mahad Ganpati Temple or Varad Vinayak, also spelt as Varadavinayaka, is one of the Ashtavinayak of the Hindu deity Ganesha. It is located in Mahad village situated in Khalapur taluka near Karjat and Khopoli of Raigad District, Maharastra, India.

The Varad Vinayak Mahad Ganpati Temple is the Seventh Ganesha temple to be visited during the Ashtavinayak Darshan tour. The idol at the Varad Vinayak Mahad Ganpati Temple is Swyambhu and the temple is actually recognised as a Math.

The temple is very simply designed with a tiled roof, a dome 25 feet high with golden pinnacle and a golden summit (Kalas) which has a carving of a cobra (also a deity revered by Hindus). The Temple is 8 feet long & 8 feet broad.

The original idol of Varad vinayak can be seen outside the sanctum. Since the idol was in a badly weathered condition, the temple trustees immersed that idol & consecrated a new idol in that place. However, such a decision of trustees was objected by few people & a suit was filed in the district court. Result of this case is still awaited. Now two idols, one inside the sanctum & one outside the sanctum can be seen. The sanctum made up of stone & surrounded by beautifully carved stone elephant carvings, houses the idol.

Ganesha is said to reside here in the form of varada Vinayaka, the giver of bounty and success. This Ashta Vinayak shrine faces east (Purvabhimukh) and is enshrined in the sitting posture, with his trunk turned towards the left. The stone idols of Riddhi and Siddhi are seen in the sanctum. Lord Ganesha as Varad Vinayak fulfills all desires and grants all boons.

A Gomukh (meaning face of a cow) is seen on the north side of the temple from which flows the holy water. A holy pond is situated on the west side of the temple. This temple also has the idol of Mushika, Navagraha Devtas and Shivalinga.