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Bhaktbhimani Ganaraj Ekam |
Kshetre MadhaKhye Vardam Prasanam ||
Yastishtati Shree Varado Ganesham |
Vianyakasta Pranamami Bhaktam ||

I salute Ganaraj who is the leader of Ganas, who is proud of his devotees & who abodes at Mahad & has pleasant appearance.

In the temple of Varadvinayak, one Nandadeep(lamp) was lighten for last one hundred seven years. In the ancient period it was called as Bhadrak. Many sages were residing over there

How to reach Mahad

1. Mumbai - Mahad distance is 63 km. On Mumbai - Panvel - Khopoli road 6 km before Khopoli. Take a road at Hal phata which will lead to Mahad.

2. On Mumbai - Pune railway line, Mahad is at a distance of 30 km from Karjat.

3. Regular State Transport buses are available from Khopoli & Karjat.

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Out of Ashtavinayaka the place of Lord Varad Vinayak is in Mahad in Khalapur Taluka of Raigad District. Long ago a king called Bhima had ruled over the Earth. Sage Vishvamitra had given him a one-word mantra (prayer) and by ceaseless reiteration of the mantra son named Rukhamangad was born to him. On the beauty of Rukhamangad, wife of one sage named Wakchkanbi was attracted towards him. But Rukhamangad rejected her offer of marriage on the ground that she was wife of a sage. She gave curse to Rukhamangad and his body became ugly due to leprosy. He lived with his ugly body for many years. Then he met sage Narad, on his advise he worship Lord Chintamani Ganesha and also to take bath in the holy Lake in the Kadamba city. Rukhamangad freed from his curse.

After taking into consideration of amorous dalliance of Mukunda (wife of sage Wakchkanbi) God Indra in disguise of Rukhamangad satisfied her desire and Mukunda gave birth to a son named Grutsamad. He gave curse to his mother to become a thorny jujube tree. To become free from the sins of his mother Grutsamad started penance in the forest called Pushpak. By standing on the tree and by eating only dried leaves of trees he prayed Lord Vinayaka. Lord Vinayaka was pleased with his worship and asked him for a boon. Grutsamad said in return that his only wish is that God should stay in this forest and God should answer the devotees. Lord promised him what he asked and gave Grutsamad ultimate knowledge of the universe. That auspicious forest is present in Mahad town. Lord Vinayaka is residing at this place. Grutsamad has been recognized as founder of Ganapatya cult. The cult in which people worship only Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesh gave boon to Grutsamad that I will stay here. Because of this Lord Ganesha is called as Lord Varad Vinayak (Vara-boon-blessing from God)

The temple of Lord Varad Vinayak faces towards East. The temple looks like tiled house from outside. Actually that temple is built up of carved stone and the fine carving is very beautiful. Elephants were carved on four sides of the temple. There is a belief that a devotee of Lord Ganesha found this idol in the lake in 1690. He installed the idol on the rock and the temple was built later. Since 1992 the light was lit over there. Entering the nave, one can see the carved stone idols of Shri Riddhi and Shri Siddhi. The dome of the temple has a golden coloured pinnacle and there is an assembly hall next to the nave, which is 8 feet by 8 feet.

The idol of Varad Vinayak is facing towards East and trunk is going towards left side. In addition to Lord Varad Vinayak idol, two other idols of Lord Ganesha are present in the nave, one is white marble idol whose trunk is going towards right side.

2. Shree Varadvinayak has his own ornaments. They are put on the idol during festivals.

3. Hotels are not available. Poojaris can make arrangements for the overnight stay. Yatri Nivas is available for stay as well. The address for advance booking is Shree Ganapati Devasthan Trust, Taluka Khalapur, District Raigad, Phone (02192) 62780.

4. Mahad is surrounded by picturesque surrounding. Mahad is very good for meditation & doing penance.