Ballaleshwar (Pali)

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. Ganesha appeared and blessed Ballal, and at the boy's request, took residence at that spot permanently as Ballaleshwar. The temple at Pali, between Mumbai and Pune, is unusual in that the idol faces east and the sunlight directly falls on the deity at sunrise during the Dakshinayana (southern solstice) period. The prasad of this temple is a simple but famous modak.

Seated idol with the trunk turned to the left, set on a stone throne. Large belly and three eyes. Two attendants beside him — Riddhi and Siddhi. The idol is about 3 feet tall with diamond-studded eyes and navel.