Vigneshwara Temple Ozar Temple

The Vigneshwara Temple Ozar or Ozar Ganpati Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom. The temple is one of the Ashtavinayak, the eight revered shrines of Ganesha in Maharashtra, India. The Ganesha form worshipped here is called Vigneshwara (spelt also as Vigneshvar (a), Vigneshwar : “Lord of obstacles”) or Vignahar (spelt also as Vignahara, “Remover of obstacles”) and is associated with the legend of Ganesha defeating Vignasura, the demon of obstacles.

Ozar (also spelt as Ojhar or Ojzar) is located about 85 km from Pune, off the Pune-Nashik highway and about 9 km north to Narayangaon. Ozar is situated on the banks of Kukadi River close to the Yedagaon dam built on it. The temple is famous for its Deepmala’s (a stone pillar) and its Golden dome. Among Ashtavinayakas Vighneshwara temple is the only temple with a golden dome & pinnacle.

Like all Ashtavinayaka shrines, the central Ganesha idol is believed to be svayambhu (self-existent), naturally occurring in the form of an elephant-faced stone. The idol of Lord Ganesha is eastward facing and has its trunk towards the left. The deity is depicted accompanying his two consorts Siddhi (spiritual power), and Riddhi (prosperity). Precious stones are studded in the idol of Ganesha at Kshetra Vigneshwara Temple. The eyes of the idol are embedded with rubies; its forehead is embellished with a diamond and other precious stones are also studded in the navel.