What are the eight Ashtavinayaka temples, and where are they?
The Ashtavinayaka are eight temples of Lord Ganesha in Maharashtra: Mayureshwar at Morgaon, Siddhivinayak at Siddhatek, Ballaleshwar at Pali, Varadavinayak at Mahad, Chintamani at Theur, Girijatmaj at Lenyadri, Vighneshwar at Ozar and Mahaganapati at Ranjangaon. The yatra begins and ends at Morgaon and takes about three days.
The eight, and where each one is
On the map on the Lord Ganesha page
Mayureshwar
Morgaon, Pune district
Here, riding a peacock, Lord Ganesha is said to have slain the demon Sindhu; he is worshipped as Mayureshwar, lord of the peacock.
Siddhivinayak
Siddhatek, Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar) district
Lord Vishnu is said to have worshipped Lord Ganesha here before he defeated the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, and won success, siddhi.
Ballaleshwar
Pali, Raigad district
Lord Ganesha saved the boy Ballal, a devotee beaten by his father for his worship, and stayed at Pali in stone at his asking.
Varadavinayak
Mahad, Raigad district
The sage Gritsamada worshipped Lord Ganesha in the forest here and founded the temple to him as Varadavinayak, the giver of boons.
Chintamani
Theur, Pune district
Lord Ganesha won back the wish-granting Chintamani jewel from the greedy Guna for the sage Kapila, who placed it at his neck.
Girijatmaj
Lenyadri, Pune district
Goddess Parvati, called Girija, is said to have done penance here to have Lord Ganesha as her son: he is Girijatmaj, son of Girija.
Vighneshwar
Ozar, Pune district
Lord Ganesha defeated the demon Vighnasura, who asked that his name be joined to Ganesha’s: so he is Vighneshwar, lord of obstacles.
Mahaganapati
Ranjangaon, Pune district
Lord Shiva is said to have worshipped Lord Ganesha here before he fought the demon Tripurasura, and won.
Questions
What is the Ashtavinayaka yatra?
A pilgrimage to eight temples of Lord Ganesha in Maharashtra, most of them near Pune, each with a self-formed image. It begins and ends at Morgaon and takes about three days.
Which day is Lord Ganesha’s?
Wednesday, Budhvar, in most of India. A Tuesday is kept too when Sankashti Chaturthi falls on it, as Angarki Chaturthi.
Why is Lord Ganesha worshipped first?
He is the lord of beginnings and the remover of obstacles. Lord Shiva is said to have blessed him to be worshipped before any other god, so every puja and new venture starts with him.