Lenyadri is a series of rock caves near Junnar in Pune and the cave number 7 is the cave which is dedicated to the Lord Ganesha. This Ganapati temple is one of the Ashtavinayak temples and one of the important ones. The Ganesha temple is dated to the 1stcentury AD. The caves are the dwellings for the Buddhist monks and some are meditation cells in design without pillar hall with 20 cells in different dimensions. There are 7 cells on either side and 6 on the rear wall. It has a large hall can be entered through the central door under the pillared veranda. The hall is the sabhamandapa of the Gensha temple. There are 283 steps over eight flights which lead to the entrance and the steps represent the sensual pleasures which Ganesha has overcome. The two central cells were later combined to house the Ganesha image and the old entrance was widened when the cave was converted to a Ganesha temple.
The iicon of Lenyadri Ganapati is also known as Girijatmaja which means mountain born or as Atmaja of Girija which means son of Parvati. Parvati herself is the daughter of Himavan, who is the personification of Himalayas. The Ganesha icon is seen on the back wall of the cave and is facing the south but the deity faces the north with the back to his worshipper and face sees on the other side of the mountain. The main icon is covered with brass plated wooden armour which is not there at present. The trunk of the deity is turned to the left facing the east and one of the eyes is visible. The icon is directly sculpted on the stone wall of the cave and is covered with sindoor. The Ganesh icon is self existent ( Swayambhu) and is naturally occurring stone formation of the Lord.
