Shree Ganeshay Namaha

Shreekshetra Ganpatipule

Shree Ganesh, has come to light on its own (Swayambhoo) on this planet, which is an ancient one. The reference is found in Mudgal Purana as.

Which means "Dwells in the guise of an hill, one who bestows blessings on his devotees (Bhakta's), Dwells at a place with rich natural beauties and on the sands of the seashore, one who fulfills aspirations and one who prevents ill happenings to his devotees, I bow my head with reverence at the feet of Shree Gajanan."

One may conclude that Shree Ganesh dwelling at Shree Kshetra Pule, has its roots in ancient mythological literature.

In Mudgal puranas it has been described as a deity dwelling at western direction invisible and unknown for about centuries "Mangal Dhyan" the first chapter part 1st of first volume "Shree Matyogindra Vijay" book, we find following stanzas.

Famous Ratnagiri in Konkan region / Near it by the Side of Seashore, the sacred place / Where Ashta Vinayak Situated // Where Lambodar performed expiatory rites of Krodhasur / One who is consecrated on the western horizon / As stated in Modgali. I bow my head before the ascetic sacred place of this district //

Morgaon is 'Adyapeeth' of Ganpatis. The walls at the temple consists of eight corners, and as described in Mudgal Purana, eight statues of idol Ganesh has been installed. Signifying eight directions as "Ashta Vinayaks" who safeguard our country and its populace. These "Ashta Vinayaks" are different from 'Ashta Vinayaks" in Maharashtra. Their names and locations are as follows : (1) Vakratunda - Chennai (2) Ekdant - Kerala (3) Mahodar - Near Rameshwara (4) Gajanan - Tanjavar (5) Lambodar - Ganpatipule Maharashtra (6) Vikat - Kashmir (7) Vighnaraj - Himalaya (8) Dhumravarna - Tibet.

These Ashta Vinayak's have been described in eight volumes of Shree Mudgal Purana. The fifth of these "Ashtavinayaks' viz, Lambodar - Ganpati is dewelling at Ganpatipule. As mentioned in 'Shree Matyogindra Vijay" the incarnation of Lambodar Ganpati was for the annihilation of 'Krodhasur'. In Mudgal purana, this Shree Kshetra a 'Siddha Mahkshetra' is clearly mentioned. 'Shree Yogindra Maharaj' was an hermit. He is distinguished by his attainments. He was a spiritually learned hermit. During the reign of Moghal emperor Aurangzeb, Shree Ganesh yogendra protected the Shrine at Morgaon by demonstrating miracles. This has been mentioned in the biography of this great person which is referred to in Mudgal Purana. Though the fame of this Ganesh at Ganpatipule is since four centuries, the deity was devilling at this place in invisible form.

The Mudgal purana describes the Ganpati at Pule in following words.

Four centuries ago there was no such place Ganpatipule on the map of India. There was a dense forest by the seashore, the place where Ganpatipule is situated. On the hill, there was a place for grazing ground of cattles. Inhabitants of Malgund, Nivendi, Never used to take their cattles for grazing at this place. The sea shore on the west was stretched North South and was lonely and serene place.

The melodious chirping of birds, bellowing of cattles, the roaring sound of sea waves, disturb the serenity of this place. This calm with beautiful scenery was a part of Nevare situated at south and to the north Malgund. In between the two places, the entire region was hills with thorny bushes and trees, at the foot hills was a very much neglected stretch of sparkling white sand of seashore. To the south of this hill was a small habitat of human beings of seafaring Bhandari community. Hence, this habitat was known as Bhandarpule.' As this part of the land was full of sand, was also known as 'Wadamithapule'. When the idol of Ganpati, on the sands by the side of hill, came to light, the neglected stretch of sand became a holy place and came to be known as Ganpatipule.

Idol of Ganpati came to light and to the eyes of human beings
Around four centuries ago, to be precise, 16th century, when Bharat was ruled by Moghal dynasty, this Land became famous for this holy 'Siddha Ganesh'. All around was hills and the foot hills were covered with the forest of a fragrant root flower of 'Ketki. Only non Brahmins were residing at this place. One copper smith was looking after the administration of this village. He had nobody to look after this village after his death. He handed over the administration of this village to a person named Shri Bhide from village 'undi', 7 to 8 miles away from Ganpatipule. After the death of the copper - smith, Shri. Bhide got the full rights with ownership (Khot) to look after the administration of this village (Just like Patil from up ghats) Bhide family continues to enjoy, the Swamitva (ownership) with all honours.

During Moghal reign there used to be the looting and plundering of the properties and the people had to run to find safety and security. This Bhide family had to face this trouble. Shri. Bhide was a staunch conservative Brahmin and he became so restless and thought that only god can save him from all this calamity. With firm belief he started meditation of Shree Ganpati. He gave up the food (fasting) and started upasna at a lonely and sacred place amidst the Ketki forest. On the third day, he got the vision. (Drushtanta) that in order to fulfill the aspirations of the worshipper that he (Ganpati) from 'Agargule' (Ganeshgule) has come to Light at this holy and sacred place, a dental image of the idol Ganesh. The entire hill is the shape less dental image, so worship me (Ganpati) with sacred rites and you will be out of calamity. According to the vision Shri. Bhide Khot had, he started searching for the idol Ganesh. One shephard who used to come there for grazing his cattles, reported to Shri. Bhide that he had seen one miracle that a cow releases milk on a stone at a particular place. Shri Bhide started clearing the bushes and the trees around this place, and to his surprise he found an idol of Ganesh with a dental shape, as the vision he experienced. He was so over-helmed with joy and he bow down his head to worship the idol. He erected a small shelter covered with the grass at the roof. Thus, the puja and rituals of Ganpati started at this place. Shri. Bhide got relief from the aggression of Moghals. Since then, it is a legend that Ganpati has come to Pule from Gule. This holy and sacred place is on the sands on the western seashore. This idol on the sands came to be known as Ganesh of Ganpatipule.