History:

is a temple located in the town of Wai in Maharashtra. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of knowledge and wisdom. The temple was built in 1780 by author Balaji Baji Rao, who was the Maratha Peshwa or Prime Minister of India at the time. The temple is a popular pilgrimage spot, and is visited by thousands of devotees each year. It is also an important temple for people of the Marathi faith, and is one of the most significant Ganesha temples in the region. It is one of the best temple in Maharashtra which you must visit.

Facts:

1. The Ganapati Temple of Wai in Maharashtra, is one of the most famous spiritual destinations in Maharastra located in the Satara district of western Maharashtra. 2. The temple has been dedicated to Lord Ganesh since the 11th century. 3. This temple is amongst the "Ashta Vinayak" temples dedicated to Lord Ganesh, found in the state of Maharashtra. 4. This temple has a history of being patronized by the Peshwa Dynasty, which was one of the greatest Maratha empires. 5. Thousands of devotees visit the temple during the Ganapati festival every year. 6. The main festival held in this temple is called the Chaturthi, which is the fourth day of every lunar month and on this day, a grand celebration of Lord Ganesha is held in the temple. 7. The temple features a 9 feet tall Ganesha idol and a shrine made of black stone. 8. It also houses a bell, which was gifted to the temple by the Maratha ruler Maratha Peshwa Madhavrao Scindia. 9. Other deities worshipped in the temple include Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati. 10. The temple is also home to a museum of artifacts, which date back to the 12th century and include various idols, paintings and manuscripts. Here are some facts about the Maharashtra temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Maharashtra

Worship Method:

The worship methods at Shri Ganapati Temple in Wai, Maharashtra are part of the Rigvedic tradition. These methods have been followed since ancient times and are based on puja rituals prescribed in scriptures. They include: • Prasad Bhog: Offerings to the deity are made and special puja is performed. • Abhishekam: Water, milk etc. is poured over the deity. • Jalasthapan: Pouring of holy water over the deity to purify it. • Deep Vandana: Lighting of lamps and chanting of hymns in order to seek blessings of the deity. • Havan: Fire ritual performed using ghee, sandalwood, camphor and other holy items. • Bhog: Prasad is offered to the deity. This includes flowers, fruits, dry fruits etc. • Naivedyam: Sweet preparations made in the temple are offered to the deity. • Aarti: This is a form of prayer in which a special song is sung in praise of the deity. • Bhajan: Devotional songs are sung in order to glorify the deity. • Bhakti Meditation: Meditation is performed in order to connect to Lord Ganesh. This most visited temple in Maharashtra

Opening Timing:

The Shri Ganapati Temple at Wai in Maharashtra is open from early in the morning at 7 AM to 9 PM in the evening. top temples in Maharashtra

How to reach:

Shri Ganapati Temple - Wai in Maharashtra is located in Satara district, about 145 kilometers away from Pune. By Road: The easiest way to reach Shri Ganapati Temple - Wai is by road. It can be reached by hiring a taxi or taking a bus from either Pune or Satara. By Train: The nearest railway station is Wathar railway station, which is 55 kilometers away from Wai. Trains from major cities in Maharashtra such as Pune, Mumbai, Kolhapur, etc. halt at Wathar that can be taken to reach Wai. By Air: The closest airport to reach Shri Ganapati Temple - Wai is Pune Airport which is 135 kilometers away and can be reached by road. famous temples in Maharashtra