Ashtavinayak Temples, meaning eight temples, are located in the state of Maharashtra. The Ashtavinayak Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The temple is visited by hundreds of thousands of devotees throughout the year. Each temple has its own individual mythology and history, as distinct from each other as the idols of the Lord in each temple. The eight temples of Lord Ganesh are Mayureshwar, Siddhivinayak, Ballaleshwar, Varadavinayak, Chintamani, Girijatmaj, Vighnahar, Mahaganapati.

Mayureshwar
The name Moresh or Moregaon was given to this place as this region once served as the habitat of the peacocks. The name Mayureshwar also arises from the legend that Vinayak rode a peacock mount in a battle against evil demons. The temple is situated at a distance of 55 km from Pune, next to the river Karha. Here Ganesha Chaturti is celebrated in great splendour here. Vijaya Dasami is celebrated commemorating Ganesha`s victory against the demons.

Siddhivinayak
The Siddhivinayak temple at Siddhatek is located at a distance of about 200 km east of Pune. Ganesha is enshrined in a seated posture with his consorts Siddhi and Riddhi.

Ballaleshwar
The Ballaleshwar Vinayak temple at Pali is located at a distance of about 160 km from Pune. Legend has it that Lord Ganesha had saved his devotee Ballal when he was beaten up by his father and villagers for praying to him. Lord Ganesh appeared and blessed him and took up abode permanently at Pali with the name Ballal Vinayak.

Varadavinay
The Varadvinayak temple at Mahad is located on the highway linking Mumbai and Pune. Legend has it that a rishi`s patni Mukundaa once expressed her love to a ruler Rukmangada who rejected her. Lord Indra meanwhile came down in the disguise of Rukmangada and tricked her and an illegitimate son Grutshmadha was born. The son later prayed to Ganesha in Bhadrakavana to absolve him of the sins. His prayers were granted by Varadavinayak of Bhadrakavana.

Chintamani
The Chintamani Vinayak temple at Thevoor is located in the vicinity of Pune. Sage Kapila possessed of a gem Chintaamani, capable of granting one`s desires. He once created a sumptuous meal for the prince Guna with the help of the gem. The prince enamored by the power of the gem, stole it from the sage. Kapila Muni prayed to Vinayaka who restored the gem from the prince; however the sage refused to accept it, and began to rever Vinayaka as Chintaamani Vinayaka.

Girijatmaj
The Girijaatmaja Vinayak temple at Lenayadri is located at Lekhan hills, at a distance of about 160 km from Pune

The legend surrounding Ganesha`s birth speaks of Parvati creating a young lad from the dirt of her body. Parvati wanted this lad as an infant. Ganesha reincarnated himself as an infant and lived in the Lenayadri hills for 12 years.

Vighnahar
The Vigneshwar temple at Ozar is located at a distance of about 100 km from Pune. Legend has it that Ganesha vanquished a demon Vignaasura who posed problems to all inhabitants. The demon later surrendered requesting Ganesha to take up the name Vigneshwar.

Mahaganapati
Ranjangaon is a village located at a distance of about 50 km from Pune. According to a legend a demon Hripurasura built three powerful citadels with a boon of invincibility granted to him by Shiva and caused suffering to all beings in the heavens and on earth. Later Ganesha shot a single arrow that pierced through the citadels, bringing an end to the demon.