Mahad Ganapati temple is located on the Mmbai- Pune highway and the temple is known as the Varad Vinayak Temple. It is located in Mahad and is one of the Ashtavinayak temples. The history says that a sage called Vachaknavi was visited by the ruler called Rukmangada and the wife of the sage, Mukunda was attracted to the king and she expressed her attraction to the king. The king turned down her desire and this made the wife of the sage angry. Indra, the king of Devas came down to the earth in disguise of Rukmangada and accepted her romantic moves. Out of this an illegitimate son was born out of this union. He was named Grutshmadha and when he grew up he heard about the story and was grief stricken. Grutshmadha prayed to Lord Ganesha in Bhadrakavana for pardon for all the sins done by everyone related to this incident.
Ganesha was pleased with the prayers of Grutshmadha and forgave everyone and the prayers were granted by Varadavinayak of Bhadrakavana. THE Bhadrakavana is now Mahad. The idol is seated facing the east and one would be able to see the images of Siddhi and Riddhi, Ganesha’s consorts, on the walls of the temple. One can also see a lamp which is never put off and the lamp has been burning uninterrupted for more than 100 of years. Lord Ganesha here is a giver of bounty and success and the devotee can pay their homage personally and respects to the idol in this temple. This is probably the only temple where the devotee can pay the respect personally and directly. The devotees are allowed to go near the idol to perform the prayers. The temple is situated in the pretty village of Mahad, near the hilly region of Konkan region. The original idol which was consecrated can be seen outside the present sanctum and both the idols are located on the two corners with one trunk turned to left and the other to the right.
