About 60 KM from Pune, this unique temple is located on a hill top near the village of Vadgaon Kashimbeg.
During the ancient times, as per Hindu Puranas, the area from Manchar to Bhimashankar was famous and called as the city of Manipur. Many sages used to meditate in this rich land.
A mighty rakshasha Bhimasura interrupted their penance and began to trouble them, so all the sages rushed out to seek help from Lord Shiva (Shankara) to solve their problem. Accordingly, Lord Shiva came to the city of Manipur to kill Bhimasura. Realizing this, the demon pinned Shankara to the spot with his strength.
Seeing that Lord Shiva was not able to overpower Bhimasura, the sages suggested him to consult Lord Ganapati of nearby Vadgaon Kashimbeg.
On the advice given by Lord Ganapati, Lord Shiva performed penance in this land for 12 years and after that he killed Bhimasura and freed the entire area from his terror.
Vadgaon Kashimbeg village is located near Ghodegaon on Manchar-Bhimashankar road.
This Swayambhu Moraya Ardhapith is situated on the southern hill of this village.
Among the Ashtavinayakas, the trunk of Ganesha is not visible as his back is worshiped at Sri Lenyadri. But this Ganesha in Vadgaon Kashimbeg is worshiped only with head and his trunk.
Sri Kshetra Lenyadri comes into view when seen in the straight line of this Ganapati. Both Lenyadri and Morya Ardhapeeth shrines are at the same height. The trunk of Morya Ganesha is facing north and the back of Lenyadri Ganesha is facing south.
It is believed that the trunk of Lenyadri’s temple appeared spontaneously at this place. Hence, this area is called Ardhapith. It is believed that Ashtavinayaka Yatra is not complete without seeing this Swayambhu Moraya Ardhapitha. It is said to be the only idol of its kind in Maharashtra.
This temple of Hemadpanti design is of Peshwa period and it is considered to be the shrine of Kashibai, the wife of the rich Bajirao Peshwa. She was an ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha. Along with the darshan of Lenyadri’s Girijakatha, they come here for darshan.
In the Peshwaite temple, every year Rs. After the overthrow of the Peshwas in 1818, the temples which had been gifted by the Peshwas were continued by the British. The British appointed the Inam Commission in 1852 to check the inams given during the Peshwa period.
This commission examined the documents of Ganapati of Vadgaon and based on that, on 15th April 1875, by issuing a Sanad, the grant of one rupee per year to Ganapati was started. The Sanad is available in Modi script and English.
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