Varadvinayak Temple

Varadvinayak Temple is one of the eight sacred Ashtavinayak temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha, located in Mahad village within Khalapur taluka of Raigad district, Maharashtra. The temple houses a swayambhu (self-manifested) idol discovered in an adjacent lake in 1690 AD and was restored by Peshwa General Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar in 1725 AD. It is notable for allowing devotees direct access to the sanctum sanctorum to touch and perform abhishek on the deity. A continuously burning oil lamp, known as Nandadeep, has been maintained since 1892.

Visitors can expect darshan of a swayambhu Ganesha idol facing east with its trunk turned left inside a modest temple structure featuring a tiled roof and a 25-foot dome adorned with a cobra carving. Devotees are permitted to enter the garbhagriha to personally pay homage and perform rituals. The premises include a sacred pond, idols of Mushika, Navagraha Devatas, and Shivalinga, and four elephant statues guarding the sides. An eternally burning oil lamp is visible within the shrine. Parking facilities are available near the temple.

The swayambhu idol was discovered immersed in a lake in 1690 AD by Shree Dhondu Paudkar. The current temple structure was built or restored by Peshwa General Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar in 1725 AD. The Nandadeep oil lamp has been burning continuously since 1892.

As one of the Ashtavinayak temples, it holds significant religious importance in the Ganapatya tradition. Devotees believe worshipping Varadvinayak grants boons and removes obstacles. The temple uniquely allows devotees direct physical access to the deity for abhishek, fostering intimate spiritual connection. Major festivals include Ganesh Chaturthi, Maghi Ganesh Jayanti, and Sankashti Chaturthi.