Guest guest Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 [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 for Good Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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