Karmandir Shri Ballaleshwar, Pali
Pali, Sudhagad taluka, Raigad district, Maharashtra
About
Shri Ballaleshwar of Pali is the third temple in the traditional Ashtavinayak yatra. It is the only Ashtavinayak known by a devotee's name: 'Ballaleshwar' means 'the lord of Ballal'. The temple stands in the Konkan, between Sarasgad fort and the Amba river. The east-facing murti sits on a stone throne with the trunk turned to the left and diamonds in the eyes and navel; behind it, a silver backdrop shows Riddhi and Siddhi waving chamars. The murti is dressed in traditional clothes, because Ganesh ji is believed to have appeared to Ballal as a Brahmin sage.
The story
The Ganesha and Mudgal Puranas tell the story of Ballal. Pali's old name was Pallipur. There, a merchant named Kalyan and his wife Indumati had a son, Ballal, who loved Ganesh ji from childhood. He would take his friends into the forest, set up a stone as Ganesh ji and lose himself in puja and bhajan, forgetting food and home. The other children's parents complained to Kalyan. In anger he broke up the children's puja, threw the stone murti away, beat Ballal and tied him to a tree, saying, 'Let your Ganesh come and free you.'
Ballal kept calling Ganesh ji. Moved by his devotion, Ganesh ji appeared as a Brahmin sage, untied him and healed his wounds. When asked for a boon, Ballal asked only that Ganesh ji stay here forever and bless all who come. Ganesh ji agreed to stay as Ballal Vinayak and merged into a large stone nearby; this is Ballaleshwar. The stone murti that Kalyan threw away is worshipped as Dhundi Vinayak, and by custom devotees take his darshan first.
The old wooden temple was rebuilt in stone in 1760. It is built in the shape of the Devanagari letter 'श्री', and on certain days the rays of the rising sun fall straight on the murti.
Visiting
October to February is the best time; the June to September monsoon turns the Konkan hills green but brings very heavy rain. Dress modestly. By temple custom, take darshan of Dhundi Vinayak first. Sarasgad fort is close by and Sudhagad fort is in the same area. Varadvinayak at Mahad is about 40 km by road. The nearest railway station is Nagothane, about 13 km away; Roha is about 28 km.
Festivals
- Bhadrapad Ganeshotsav (Ganesh Chaturthi, Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi)
- Maghi Ganesh Jayanti festival (Magh Shukla Chaturthi)
