SHREE VIGHNESHWAR VINAYAK - OZAR

Bhaktanugrahe Gajmukho Vigheshwaro Brahamapam |
Nana Murti Dharopi Naijamahima Khanda Sadatma Prabhu ||
Sweccha Vighnahar Sadasukhkar Sidha Kallo Swayepum |
Kshetre Chozarke Namostu Satatam Tasme Parabrahamne ||6||

Meaning: Let my mind be concentrated to the God, who is elephant headed. benignant & remover of obstacle. He has defeated demon Vighnasur. He himself is Brahma. his greatness is undisturbed in his different forms. He is greatest artist, He gives happiness to his devotees, who abodes at Ozar.

Girijatmaj’s temple is situated on the mountain, away from river Kukadi. While Vigneshwara’s temple is situated on the banks of river Kukadi. Among Ashtavinayak Kshetra Vighneshwara temple is the only temple with golden dome & pinnacle.

SHREE VIGHNESHWARA’S TEMPLE & IDOL

Vighneshwara’s temple facing east is surrounded on four sides by a protective stone wall. One can walk over the wall& have sight of fort Shivneri & Girijatmaj. At the entrance there are two ‘Deep-Malas’ – that is stone pillar for oil lamps & two huge ‘Dwar-Palaks’ – that is guards. On entering the temple you will see owaris (small room for meditation) on both the sides. Temple has a tiled compound.

The main temple has two halls. The first hall is 20 feet high & has doors facing north & south. It has idol of Dhundiraj. The next hall is 10 feet high. At the entrance of this hall there is idol of one rat in running position made of white marble. Wall of the temple are decorated by colourful & attractive sketches. Idols of Panchayatan (Sun, Vishnu, Shiva, Goddess, Ganapati) are situated in the four corners of the sanctum. Idol of Vighneshwar Vinayak, faces east & trunk turned towards left. The idol smeared in vermillion mixed with oil, has two emerald studded eyes & a diamond on his forehead & in the navel. On the two are brass idols of Riddhi & Siddhi. Temple has golden dome & pinnacle. It is said that peshava king Bajirao Peshava’s younger brother Chimaji Appa renovated this temple & offered a golden dome on conquering vasai fort from Portuguese.

The story is like this:

Chimaji Appa while going to Vasai halted here for Vighneshwara’s blessing. While entering the temple, his diadam (crown) fell down because of small heighted entrance gate. Thinking this as ill omen Chimaji Appa was disturbed. Immediately he vowed to built new temple if he gets victory in the battlefield. He renovated the temple as per his vow on getting victory over the Portuguese.

This temple was built in 1785 A.D. Temple was renovated in 1967 by grat Ganesh devotees shri Appashastri Joshi. As on today you will find a newly renovated attractive temple with all comforts.