MORESHVAR MORGAON.

[Morgaon : Shri Moreshvara MoreshvarMorgaon is situated on the banks of river Karha in Baramati Taluka (Pune District).
People say that that place shape looks like a peacock and that there were many peacocks in ancient times : for that reason, the location is called "Morgaon". This village is only at 56 kms from Pune and can be easily reached by bus or railway. Morgaon enshrines Ganapati as Mayureshwar (Moresh) or the peacock rider, who slew the demon Sindhu in response to pleas from the Gods. The Murti The deity Moreshwara is in sitting posture, facing east with trunk turning left and smeared with vermillion mixed in oil. Diamonds are embedded in its eyes and navel, on its head is the Nagaraja hood. On both sides of the mûrti, there are brass statues of His two wives, Siddhi and Buddhi. In front, are standing Mushaka (Rat) and Mayura (Peacock). It is said that doing Abhishek on "Moreshwar", all desires are fulfilled. Mayureshwar's armour had been cast off in 1788 and 1822 A.D. People believe that the original mûrti, created by God Brahma, was made up of sand, iron and diamond and would stay behind the present statue. The temple The main temple, facing north, is located in the village centreand looks like a small fortress, similar to a fortified mosque. The temple complex comprises of a dome, surrounded by a 17 meters high enclosure and decked with four pillars in each corner. The main temple was built with a particuler black stone, during the Bahmani period, in a typical Moghul style. It has four gates. In the eastern gate stays Lakshminarayana, giver of Dharma. In the southern gate, are Parvati and Shankara, givers of Artha. Then comes yhe western gate where Rati and Kama resides. Lastly, in the northern gate one can find Mahivaraha (Earth and Sun). In the eight corners, there are eight statues of Ganapati called Ekadanta, Mahodara, Gajanana, Lambodar, Vikata, Vigharâja, Dhumravarna and Vakratunda. In the temple complex there are trees of Shani, Mandar and Tarati (Kalpavriksha). While going towards the temple, a huge Deep Mala (oil lamp pillar) will be seen first. In front of it is Nagarkhana (where kettledrums are kept). Near Nagarkhana, there is a mouse made up of black stone. On climbing the steps, you will see a big Nandi made up of black stone facing Mayureshwar. This is the only Ashtavinayaka temple with a Nandi. The question is how Nandi can stay in front of Ganapati instead of Lord Shiva ? Following legend is the answer to this. Years ago, Nandi statue was carried on a cart for its consecration in front of a nearby Shivalaya temple. However, the cart broke in front of Mayureshwara's temple. People tried their best to shift Nandi but all in vain. The man carrying the cart had omen in the night, Nandi saying, "I want to stay before Mayureshwar only". Thus Nandi - Maharaj sat before Mayureshwara for ever.]
Morgaon : Shri Moreshvara

MoreshvarMorgaon is situated on the banks of river Karha in Baramati Taluka (Pune District). People say that that place shape looks like a peacock and that there were many peacocks in ancient times : for that reason, the location is called "Morgaon". This village is only at 56 kms from Pune and can be easily reached by bus or railway. Morgaon enshrines Ganapati as Mayureshwar (Moresh) or the peacock rider, who slew the demon Sindhu in response to pleas from the Gods.

The Murti

The deity Moreshwara is in sitting posture, facing east with trunk turning left and smeared with vermillion mixed in oil. Diamonds are embedded in its eyes and navel, on its head is the Nagaraja hood. On both sides of the mûrti, there are brass statues of His two wives, Siddhi and Buddhi. In front, are standing Mushaka (Rat) and Mayura (Peacock). It is said that doing Abhishek on "Moreshwar", all desires are fulfilled. Mayureshwar's armour had been cast off in 1788 and 1822 A.D. People believe that the original mûrti, created by God Brahma, was made up of sand, iron and diamond and would stay behind the present statue.

The temple

The main temple, facing north, is located in the village centreand looks like a small fortress, similar to a fortified mosque. The temple complex comprises of a dome, surrounded by a 17 meters high enclosure and decked with four pillars in each corner. The main temple was built with a particuler black stone, during the Bahmani period, in a typical Moghul style. It has four gates. In the eastern gate stays Lakshminarayana, giver of Dharma. In the southern gate, are Parvati and Shankara, givers of Artha. Then comes yhe western gate where Rati and Kama resides. Lastly, in the northern gate one can find Mahivaraha (Earth and Sun). In the eight corners, there are eight statues of Ganapati called Ekadanta, Mahodara, Gajanana, Lambodar, Vikata, Vigharâja, Dhumravarna and Vakratunda. In the temple complex there are trees of Shani, Mandar and Tarati (Kalpavriksha). While going towards the temple, a huge Deep Mala (oil lamp pillar) will be seen first. In front of it is Nagarkhana (where kettledrums are kept). Near Nagarkhana, there is a mouse made up of black stone. On climbing the steps, you will see a big Nandi made up of black stone facing Mayureshwar. This is the only Ashtavinayaka temple with a Nandi. The question is how Nandi can stay in front of Ganapati instead of Lord Shiva ? Following legend is the answer to this. Years ago, Nandi statue was carried on a cart for its consecration in front of a nearby Shivalaya temple. However, the cart broke in front of Mayureshwara's temple. People tried their best to shift Nandi but all in vain. The man carrying the cart had omen in the night, Nandi saying, "I want to stay before Mayureshwar only". Thus Nandi - Maharaj sat before Mayureshwara for ever.