How to reach Lenyadri
1. There are many ways to got to Lenyadri. one way is to reach Junner from Mumbai. It is 145 miles from Mumbai.
2. Another way to reach Junner from Pune. Lenyadri is 5 km from Junner.
Story
Lord Shiva used to do penance regularly . He looks very luminous(brilliant). Parvati, Shiva’s wife was curious about Shiva’s penance. She always thought that Shiva is god’s god(greatest among the gods) then why & which god's penance is he doing? so she asked Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva told her `Omkar’ (Lord Ganesha). He is more powerful than Shiva, Brahmadev & Vishnu, so I always worship him. Parvati decided to do rigorous penance of Omkar because she wanted Ganesha to be her son. She started her persistent effort on the Lenyadri mountain. Twelve years she did hard persistent effort. She made an idol of clay and worship
ped him. On Bhadrapad Shuddha Chaturthi God appeared in person and gave her blessings that he will become her son. After some days Parvati had got a son. She named him as Ganesh. He was protecterof Gods & destroyer of cruel demons. Many cruel demons hypocritically appeared in the form of mouse, cat, camel and horse & tried to kill him. But Lord Ganesha killed all of them. He took conceit out of Shesha, Indra, and Yama.In the area of Lenyadri mountains Ganesha’s childhood took place. It was his playing place. Gautam muni did his thread ceremony. Girija's son Ganesha stayed her for fourteen years, This Ganesha is known as `Girijatmaka’. He completed his incarnation mission & went back to Ganesha Lok. That day was Anant Chatur
dashi(Bhadrapad Shuddha Chaturdashi). Ganesha promises them that he will come and meet everyone every Bhadrapada Shuddha Chaturthi.Temple
One can go by any vehicle to the base of mountain. After that about 307 steps one has to climb to reach the temple. The temple was made in Buddha’s period & it is in the 8th cave of the 17 caves. The temple was not built but carved in the mountain and it is facing towards south. The huge hall at the entrance of the temple is like an assembly house. The length of this big hall is 51 feet and width is 57 feet. This hall is carved in one big rock. It is not supported by any pillar. It is very rare sight. One can see the river and houses of Junner village from here. At the front side just before the huge hall there is a small hall with 6 pillars. Elephants, tigers, lion’s faces are carved on the top of the pillars.
Idol
Daily programs & festivals
Girijatmaja's panchamrut po
oja is performed every day in the morning. Bhadrapada & Magh Shuddha Chaturthi are celebrated here in big way. In Magh Akhand Harinam Saptah is observed. On Ganesh Jayant bullock cart race is conducted. On Bhadrapada Shuddha Chaturthi Abhishek, Pooja & Kirtan being performed in the temple.Other information
1. Though the caves on Lenyadri are under control of Archeological Department of India, administration of Ganesh temple is managed by Temple Trust.
2. Temple trust has built an Yatri Nivas for lodging of devotees. At a time arrangement of 300 devotees can be done. Large rooms are available where 10 people can stay in the night. The address for the advance booking is Shree Lenyandri Ganapati Devasthan Trust, Shri Shankar L Tamhane, Post Golegaon, Taluka Junnar, District Pune, PIN 410502, Phone (02132) 22350
3. There is a small garden namely Sunder Udyan near Yatri Nivas beautifies the place.
4. The name Lenyadri originated because of the 17 Buddhist caves over there. To the west there is a beautiful Stupa which is called as Bhima's Gada(mace). One may hear echo over here. On the top of mountain there is a temple of God Shiva.
5. Fort Shivneri, where great Shivaji Maharaj was born is at a distance of 6 km from Lenyadri.
6. Virtuous deeds like Abhisheka, pooja, sahastravartan can be done by the temple trust on behalf of devotees.
7. The Lord Girijatmaja idol is attached to the wall one can not circumnavigate.
8. It’s a very quiet & lonely place. Best place to meditate.
