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SHREE BALLALESHWAR - PALI.

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[Om Sai Ram - If anyone wishes to see the pictures of this temple, kindly send me an email..]

 

Vedo Sanstuvaibhavo Gajmukho Bhaktabhimaniti Yo |Ballaleravya Subhaktapal

Narataha Khyataha Sada Tishtati ||Kshetre Pallipure Yatha Kritayuge Charimashta

Laukike |Bhakterbhavit Murtiman Ganapati Siddhiswhar Tam Bhaje ||

Meaning

Whose greatness is mentioned in Vedas, whose face is like an elephant, who is

famous in his devotees, who is famous in his devotees, who is busy in looking

after his devotees for protection. In Krita-yuga who is living in Pallipur

alias Pali who idol is liked by all devotees. I worship such a great Lord

Ganesha.

Village Pali is situated between fort Sarasgad & river Amba flowing on the other

side. On being pleased by the devotion of Ballal, Shri Ganesh remained in the

stone worshipped by Ballal & hence is called as Ballaleshwar of Pali. Among

Ashtavinayaks, Pali's Ballaleshwar is the only vinayak who is famous by his

devotee's name & who is dressed up as Brahmin. Sinve vinayaka gave his darshan

in the guise of a Brahmin, the idol of vinayaka at Pali is dressed up as a

Brahmin. This place is very famous & spiritually awakened. It is said that in

Peshva regime justice was done by taking kaul (answer to the question asked in

the form of flower, leaves etc.) from Ballaleshwar.

Stories about Shree Ballaleshwar Pali

This is the story of a staunch child devotee of Ganapati called Ballala . He was

the son of a businessman called Kalyan and his wife Indumati. They were living

in Pallipur City of Western India. From childhood itself Ballala was very much

addicted to worshipping God. Once the children went outside the village and saw

a big stone. At the instance of Ballala, the children treated the stone as

Ganapati. Ballala brought Durva, Bilva and leaves of different trees and

worshipped Ganesa. Some children started meditating. Some chanted repeatedly

the words ‘Jai Gajanan, Jai Gajanan.’ Some danced. Some started singing stotras

with sweet voices. Some built a temple with bamboos and leaves. Some worshipped

the idol with flowers and leaves of the forest. One boy started narrating the

story of Ganesa heard by him. All of them were so engrossed that they forgot

about hunger or thirst or about day and night.Their parents were waiting for

the children at their homes. When they

did not return on time they all went to Kalyan Vaishya’s house and asked him,

“Where is your Ballal? Our children have gone outside the village at his

instance and have not returned so far. He is their leader. He has spoiled them.

You control your boy. Otherwise we will complain to the village officer.”Kalyan

Seth became furious. He took a stick and went out. He saw the children

listening to Ganesa Purana outside the village. With anger gone to his head he

broke the small temple and started chasing the children. Ballal’s companions

fled away. But as Ballal was submerged in meditation, he was caught by his

father. He was beaten till blood started flowing from his body. His father tied

him to a tree. He also smashed all puja materials and threw away the big stone

that the children treated as Ganapati. “Let me see which God protects you now.”

Saying this he went home.Ballal started entreating Vinayaka, “O God, you are

called as Vignanashak because you remove

the obstacles faced by your worshippers. Vedas and Shastras say that you never

forget your devotees. Then why is it that I am facing obstruction in your

worship?” Ballal was not concerned about his being beaten up or being tied to

the tree. But he became very furious seeing the temple smashed and the idol

thrown away. He cursed, “Whoever has done this, let him become blind, deaf,

dumb and hunchback.” Though he was affected by pain, hunger and thirst, he kept

on chanting the name of Gajanan till he fainted.Lord Ganapathi was moved by the

child’s devotion. He appeared in the form of a Brahmin before Ballala and

touched him. Immediately the thirst and hunger vanished, wounds were healed and

Ballala felt a new vigour moving in his body. He prostrated before the Brahmin

whom he recognized as Gajanan and worshipped him. The Lord said, “Your curse

will come true. In his next birth also he will face misery. His father will

drive him away. Now you ask for any boon you

want.”Ballala said, “Let me have unshaken devotion towards you. You must stay at

this place and remove the miseries of the people who come to you.”Ganesa said,

“I shall ever remain here in my part (ansh) form. I will take your name before

mine and be called as Ballal Vinayaka.” Then he embraced Ballal and vanished

into a nearby stone. That stone statue is called Ballaleshwar. The stone idol

which Kalyan Vaishya threw away is also there called as Dundi Vinayak. This is

a swayambhoo Moorthi. He is worshipped before Ballaleshwar is worshipped.

The Temple

The original wooden temple was re-built with rock by Mr. Phadanvis during

1760’s. The temple is facing towards East. Two small lakes are built near the

temple. Water from the right side lake is used for Lord Ganesha’s worship and

other auspicious occasions. During Southern declination of the sun the rays

directly fall on the idol of Lord Ballaleshwar. The temple is very strong while

building the walls of the temple, lead was put in it. The pinnacle of the temple

was build by bricks and a small room was built inside the pinnacle. there is a

terrace in front of the room. There are two naves in the temple. The inner or

main nave is bigger the naves were built in such a way that all right

directions are covered in it. It is like an octagon. The height of the main

nave is 15 feet and the height of other nave is 12 feet where the statue of

mouse holding modak in its two legs was installed.

The Idol

In the main nave, there is a gaily decorated frame which is made up of stone.

The idol of Lord Ballaleshwar is about 3 feet. The idol is facing towards East

and the trunk is going towards left. There are diamonds in the eyes and navel

of the idol. The decorative frame behind the idol is made of silver. The idol

is installed on the throne and decorated with silver. Idols of Goddess, Shri

Buddhi and Goddess Shri Siddhi are present near the idol of Lord Ballaleshwar.

Many ornaments of gold, silver & diamonds are put on the idol everydy.

Daily Programs and festivals

The temple opens at 5 O’clock in the morning and at 5.30 am one can see and

worship Lord Ballaleshwar. At 5 a.m. kakad arati(prayer which is done in early

morning) & Panchopachari puja(worship with sandalwood, flowers, red lead,

pastin stick/dhoop and light deep) done by the priest. Before 12 noon

Shodopachari puja (a worship which embodies 16 items). After sunset

Panchopachari puja and at night dhoop arti (worshipping with pastin sticks)

takes place. The temple closes after last prayers in the night.

Festivals

Bhadrapada ( 6th month of the Hindu calendar) Shuddha Pratipada(first day) to

Panchami (5th day) are celebrated as a big festival. Similarly Magha (11th

month of the Hindu calendar) Shuddha Pratipada to Panchami are celebrated as a

big festival.There is a special story about the offering at night of Maghi

Chaturthi to the god. After offering doors of the nave used to close and after

some time when doors are open, one can see the marks of God’s fingers on the

offering. To see this miracle many devotees come to Pali.

Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah...........

Sai Bhakt,

Deepa H

debu7366

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