21 Ganesha Kshetras

The 21 Ganesha Kshetras are very ancient temples of Lord Ganesha. These temples are believed to have been created by God Himself.

1. Laksha Vinayak Temple - Verul, Ellora (near Aurangabad), Maharashtra
2. Moreshwar Kshetra - Pune, Maharashtra
3. Chintamani Kshetra - Kalamb (Yavatmal), Maharashtra
4. Shami Vighesh Kshetra - Aadhosh, Nagpur - Maharashtra.
5. Bhalchandra Ganesh kshetra - Gangamasla , Beed , Maharashtra
6. Vigyan Ganesh Kshetra - Rakshashbhuvan , Beed , Maharashtra
7. Chintamani Kshetra - Theur , Pune , Maharashtra.
8. Vallatheswar Vinayak Kshetra - Pali , Raigadh, Maharashtra.
9. Sidhivinayak Kshetra - Borivali, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
10. Mahaganpati Manipur Kshetra - Rajangaon, Pune Maharashtra
11. Rajsadan kshetra - Jalna, Maharashtra.
12. Ashapoorak - Namalgaon, Beed,  Maharashtra.
13. Mangal Murti kshetra - Pariner, Nagar Javal.
14. Girijatmak - Lenadhri , Junnar, Pune in Maharashtra
15. Pravaal Ganesh , Dharanidha - Padmalaya , Jalgaon , Maharashtra.
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16. Sudha Svet Vighanesh Kshetra - Tanjor , Kumbhakornam, Tamil Nadu.
17. Kashyapashram - Himalaya, Arunanchal Pradesh
18. Muladhari - Ganeshpur , Bengal.
19. Vighanaraj kshetra - Vijapur , Karnataka
20. Dhundhiraj Kshetra - Kashi (Varanasi),  Uttar Pradesh
21. Onkar Ganpati Kshetra - Prayaga,  Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

2. Story of Siddhivinayak Temple, Prabhadevi - Mumbai - 2

It is learned that a very pious saint named Akkalkot Swami Samarth prophesied the appearance of Ganesha at the current place of temple. 

Akkalkot Swami Samarth asked his disciple named Ramakrishna Jambhekar Maharaj to bring some divine idols. He asked Ramakrishna to burry two divine idols in the courtyard of Maath (hermitage) of Shri Cholappa who was another disciple of Swami Samartha. At that time Swami Samartha was temperorily residing in the hermitage of Shri Cholappa. He foretold Ramakrishna that twenty one years later, a Samyambhu Ganesha would appear on the holy tree of Mandar Tree.

Thus, it happened. After twenty one years, a Mandar Tree grew at the spot. Since the Ganesha appeared from the Earth, He is referred to as svayambhu Ganesha. This idol  of Ganesha had a right side trunk is now installed as the prime deity in the Siddhivinayak Temple.

Ramakrishna was an ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha. He mediated rigorously for many years seeking Ganesha's blessings with chanting of Ganesha and Gayatri mantras. Consequently, he attained Assyssinian (siddhi). 

The math (abode of sage) of Ramakrishna is located near sea-shore in Dadar, Mumbai.

1. Story of Siddhivinayak Temple, Prabhadevi - Mumbai - 1

Here is the story related to origin of Sri Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple, a popular temple located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai. The temple is dedicated to Siddhivinayak (wish granting form) form of Ganesha, who is also known as Navasala Pavnara Ganapati.

Once there lived a rich woman called Deubai Patil. Deubai hailed from an agrian society of Matunga region in Mumbai.

One day during the prayer ceremony (Aarti), Deubai made a request to Lord Ganesha. She said, ‘O Ganesha! You are the creator, our saviors and bestower of all wishes. My Lord, I humbly vow to your feet and seek your permission to construct a temple in your pious name. I am a childless woman and know the plea of not having this dispensation. I plead you to grant your divine presence in this temple, where bare couples can seek your blessings for a child’.

It is believed that Lord Ganesha granted Deubai her request and the temple of construction began in 1801. The construction contract was given to contractor Laxman Vithu Patil and thus the temple (original) was built.

The temple of Sri Siddhivinayak is popular for fulfillment /granting of wishes, hence it is also known as Navasacha Ganapati or Navasala Pavanara Ganapati in the local Marathi language which means ‘the benevolent Ganapati who grants wishes when prayed to genuinely and humbly.