December 26, 2024

The history of this temple says that the King of Gods, Indra created a demon Vighnasur, to destroy the prayer planned by King Abhinandan. The demon Vighnasur, went a step further and destroyed the vedic, religious acts and Ganesha came to the rescue of people and conquered the demon. The demon begged to with Ganesha to show mercy and after much pleading Ganesha granted his plea but kept a condition that he should not go any place where Ganesha worship is on.   The demon agreed and put a condition back to Ganesha saying that his name should be taken before Ganesha’s name and Ganesha agreed and accepted the name Vighnahar or Vighneshwar. Vighna is a Sanskrit word and means interruption due to some unexpected or needless occurrence or cause. The Ganesha here is called Shri Vighneshwar Vinayak. The temple faces the east and is surrounded by thick stone walls.

 

The main hall of the temple is 20 feet long and the inside hall is 10 feet long. The idol has rubies in the eyes and has its trunk towards the left. There is a diamond on the forehead and there are some jewels in the navel of the idol. The Riddhi and Siddhi idols are placed on the two sides of the main Ganesha idol. The top portion of the temple is golden and constructed by Chimaji Appa after overpowering the Portuguese ruler of Vasai and Sashti. Studies say that the temple might have been constructed around 1785 AD. The temple is situated off the Pune-Nashik highway in a town called Ozhar. With its pinnacle made out of gold the temple is enclosed on all sides by high stone walls. The temple is located on the banks of Kukadi River. The route takes from Mumbai to reach the temple is Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Bapsai, Saralgaon, Otur. Ozhar is around 182 kilometres from Mumbai.