Ganesh Chaturti is celebrated with an extra measure of
grandeur in the state of Maharashtra.
The Siddhi Vinayak temple in Mumbai is visited
by hundreds of thousands of devotees throughout the year.
Also in Maharashtra are eight temples
dedicated to Ganesha, related to various episodes from the puranas and other legends - and
these deities are collectively known as Ashta Vinayak.
Moregaon enshrines Ganapati as Mayureshwar
(Moresh) or the peacock rider, who slew the demon Sindhu in response to pleas from the
Gods.
Mahaganapati
at Ranjangaon is believed to have come to the aid of Shiva in destroying the citadels
of the demon Tripurasura.
Mahad enrhsines Varadvinayak
(the bestower of boons), in commemoration of a legend related to Rukmangada.
Chintamani Vinayak
relates to the legend of Kapila Muni and the Chintamani gem that he had
obtained from Shiva.
Girijaatmaja Vinayaka
is enshrined on Lenyadri Parvat, and is believed to be a manifestation of Ganapati as an
infant.
Vigneshwara
at Ozar is regarded as the slayer of the demon Vignaasura.
Ballal Vinayak
at Pali, is associated with a legend where Ganapati is said to have come to the aid of a
young lad, who was a fervent devotee of Ganapati.
Siddhi Vinayak
at Siddhatek is said to have come to the aid of Mahavishnu as he was
engaged in a long battle with the demons Madhu and Kaitabha.