The Ballaleshwar Vinayak temple at
Pali is located at a distance of about 160 km from Pune.
Palicha Shri Ballaleshwara is
considered to be one of the Ashta Vinayak shrines
of Maharashtra, celebrating eight instances of legends related to Ganesha.
Legend has it that a in the
days of yore, a merchant by name Kalyan had a pious young son by name Ballal, who was a
fervent devotee of Vinayaka. Under his influence, Ballal's peers, resorted to worship and
prayer, much to the chagrin of their fathers, who lodged a complaint against the lad
Ballal with his father Kalyan. The enraged merchant beat up the boy and locked him up. The
lad resorted to prayer again; legend has it that his prayers were rewarded as Ganapati
appeared in front of him, relieved him of his distress and took up abode permanently at
Pali with the name Ballal Vinayak.
The Temple: An east facing
image of Ganesha flanked by his consorts Siddhi and Riddhi is
enshrined in this majestic fort like temple temple. The sun's rays fall on the image of
Ganesha during Dakshinayana (July - December).