8 Sacred Forms of Lord Ganesha
The Ashta Vinayaka pilgrimage visits the eight most sacred Ganesha shrines in Maharashtra, each housing a self-manifested (swayambhu) idol. Traditionally the yatra begins and ends at Moreshwar in Morgaon.
मोरेश्वर
Moreshwar of Morgaon is the first and most important of the eight Ashta Vinayaka shrines in Maharashtra.
सिद्धिविनायक
Siddhivinayak at Siddhatek is the second of the Ashta Vinayaka.
बल्लाळेश्वर
Ballaleshwar of Pali is the only Ashta Vinayaka form named after a devotee — a young boy named Ballal who was so devoted to Ganesha that he was beaten by the villagers and tied to a tree.
वरद विनायक
Varad Vinayak of Mahad is the granter of boons (varadana) — the fourth Ashta Vinayaka.
चिन्तामणि
Chintamani of Theur is the form of Ganesha who removes anxieties and grants peace of mind.
गिरिजात्मज
Girijatmaj of Lenyadri is the sixth Ashta Vinayaka — 'Girijatmaj' meaning 'son of the mountain-daughter Parvati'.
विघ्नहर
Vighnahar of Ozar is the destroyer of obstacles — the seventh Ashta Vinayaka.
महागणपति
Mahaganapati of Ranjangaon is the eighth and final Ashta Vinayaka — the most powerful form.