Ashtavinayak Yatra: 8 Temples, Route Order & Day Plan

Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026).

Ashtavinayak means “eight Vinayakas”. Each temple holds an image of Ganapati believed to be self-manifested (swayambhu), and each is linked to a story from the Ganesha and Mudgala Puranas. For Maharashtrian families especially, completing the eight in order is a cherished sankalp, often taken before a wedding, a new venture or after a wish is fulfilled.

Which are the eight Ashtavinayak temples?

1. Mayureshwar, Morgaon (Pune district) — Ganapati riding a peacock, with Siddhi and Buddhi beside him. The yatra begins and ends here.
2. Siddhivinayak, Siddhatek (Ahilyanagar district) — on the bank of the Bhima river near Daund. Devotees do pradakshina of the small hill behind the temple.
3. Ballaleshwar, Pali (Raigad district) — named after the child devotee Ballal, below Sarasgad fort. The present stone temple dates from the Peshwa period.
4. Varadvinayak, Mahad (Raigad district) — in Mahad village near Khopoli (not Mahad town further south). An oil lamp, the nandadeep, is kept burning here continuously.
5. Chintamani, Theur (Pune district) — the closest to Pune city, worshipped as the remover of worries. The Peshwa Madhavrao I was devoted to this temple.
6. Girijatmaj, Lenyadri (Pune district) — the only one of the eight inside a hill cave, carved in the Lenyadri rock-cut cave group near Junnar. Reached by a long flight of steps.
7. Vighnahar (Vighneshwar), Ozar (Pune district) — on the Kukadi river, known for its gilded shikhar. Ganapati here is worshipped as the destroyer of obstacles.
8. Mahaganapati, Ranjangaon (Pune district) — on the Pune–Ahilyanagar highway, linked with Ganesha’s help to Shiva against the demon Tripurasura.

What is the correct Ashtavinayak route order?

The traditional order comes from a well-known Marathi-Sanskrit shloka recited by Ganesh bhakts, beginning “Swasti Shri Ganayako Gajamukho Moreshwarah Siddhidah…”. In that verse the eight appear as Morgaon, Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Theur, Lenyadri, Ozar and Ranjangaon. After Ranjangaon, yatris go back to Morgaon for a closing darshan, which completes the yatra.

Because Pali and Mahad lie on the Konkan side of the Sahyadri while the others are on the Deccan side, the strict order involves one long cross-country drive (Siddhatek to Pali). Some families therefore follow a road-practical order instead. There is no single rule enforced by the temples; follow your family’s custom. If you want the traditional sequence, tell your driver or organiser at the start so the hotels are planned around it.

Ashtavinayak temples at a glance

Road distances are approximate and vary with the route you take. Check a current map before you set out, and allow for slow village roads near some temples.

How many days does the Ashtavinayak yatra take?

By car, the eight temples need two full days at a brisk pace and three days at a comfortable one. Three days is our recommendation for senior citizens, families with children, and anyone who wants to sit for an aarti rather than rush from one darshan to the next. Recent road upgrades by the state have cut driving time, but the distance stays around 650 km.

3-day plan from Pune (traditional order)

• Day 1: Pune → Morgaon (about 65 km) → Siddhatek (about 65 km) → long drive via Pune and the expressway to Pali. Night at Pali. This is the longest driving day; leave Pune early.
• Day 2: Ballaleshwar darshan at Pali in the morning → Varadvinayak at Mahad (about 38 km) → back up the ghat to Theur (about 110 km) → continue towards Junnar. Night near Ozar or Junnar.
• Day 3: Lenyadri early, before the sun is high, for the step climb → Ozar (about 15 km) → Ranjangaon (about 65 km) → closing darshan at Morgaon → return to Pune.

2-day plan from Pune (practical order)

• Day 1: Pune → Morgaon → Siddhatek → Theur → Ranjangaon → drive on to Ozar or Junnar for the night.
• Day 2: Lenyadri at opening → Ozar → long drive down to Mahad and Pali → return to Pune or continue to Mumbai.

The two-day version does not end with a return to Morgaon. Families who want the traditional closing darshan either add a half day or visit Morgaon again on a later trip to Pune.

Starting from Mumbai

Mahad and Pali are the nearest Ashtavinayak temples to Mumbai, roughly 2 to 3 hours by road depending on traffic. Yatris who follow the strict order usually drive to Pune first (about 150 km by the expressway) and use the Pune plan above, adding half a day at each end. Those not bound by the order often start with Mahad and Pali on Day 1, cross to the Deccan side, and finish the remaining six over the next two days.

How many steps are there at Lenyadri?

Lenyadri is the one temple in the circuit that needs real effort. The Girijatmaj image is in a cave in a Buddhist rock-cut cave group, and you reach it by a stone stairway of around 300 steps (sources give figures between roughly 280 and 310). The climb usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, with landings to rest on.

• The cave complex is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, so it keeps daytime hours and an entry ticket may apply; check at the gate.
• Go early in the morning, especially from March to June, when the rock heats up.
• Carry water. Monkeys are common, so keep food and bags closed.
• Palkhi (doli) bearers have been available at the base for those who cannot climb; confirm availability and rates on the spot.

When is the best time for the Ashtavinayak yatra?

• October to February: the most comfortable weather for long drives and the Lenyadri climb.
• Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapada, August–September): the most auspicious and festive time, with grand celebrations at every temple, especially Ranjangaon and Morgaon. Expect heavy crowds and long queues; book stays well ahead.
• Maghi Ganesh Jayanti (Magha, January–February): another major festival, with fairs at several temples.
• Sankashti and Angaraki Chaturthi: the monthly Sankashti Chaturthi draws large local crowds, and an Angaraki (falling on a Tuesday) even more.
• Monsoon (June–September): green and beautiful, but the ghat sections to Pali and Mahad can be slow and slippery, and the Lenyadri steps get wet.

Festival dates follow the Hindu calendar and change every year; check a reliable panchang for 2027 dates. Most temples open early in the morning and close late evening, but hours vary by temple and festival, so confirm locally.

Practical tips for a smooth yatra

• Wear traditional, modest clothing and slip-on footwear; you will remove shoes at eight temples.
• Carry small change for prasad, archana and footwear counters.
• Keep one buffer of a couple of hours each day. Village roads, festival traffic and darshan queues add up quickly.

Can we arrange an Ashtavinayak yatra for you?

We do not have a fixed Ashtavinayak package at present. If you want one, our team can plan a custom yatra with a vehicle, stays and the order you prefer; use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).

Many families combine Ganesha darshan with the Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra. Bhimashankar is close to the Ashtavinayak belt; see our Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga guide and the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga yatra from Pune. Further north are Trimbakeshwar near Nashik and Grishneshwar near Ellora. For another swayambhu Ganpati on the Konkan coast, there is our Ganpatipule Darshan Yatra from Mumbai. All Jyotirlinga yatras are listed under Jyotirlinga yatras.

Frequently asked questions

What is the correct order of the Ashtavinayak yatra?

The traditional order is Morgaon (Mayureshwar), Siddhatek (Siddhivinayak), Pali (Ballaleshwar), Mahad (Varadvinayak), Theur (Chintamani), Lenyadri (Girijatmaj), Ozar (Vighnahar) and Ranjangaon (Mahaganapati), followed by a return to Morgaon. It comes from a shloka recited by Ganesh bhakts. Some families follow a shorter road order instead; the temples do not enforce either.

Why does the Ashtavinayak yatra start and end at Morgaon?

Morgaon’s Mayureshwar is regarded as the foremost of the eight and is the first temple named in the traditional shloka. By custom, yatris begin their sankalp here and return after Ranjangaon for a closing darshan, which completes the circle. Families short on time sometimes make the closing visit on a later trip.

How many days are needed for the Ashtavinayak yatra?

Two days by car is possible at a fast pace, but three days is more comfortable and lets you follow the traditional order with the return to Morgaon. The total road distance is about 650 km from Pune. From Mumbai, add roughly half a day at each end for the drive to and from Pune.

Which Ashtavinayak temples are in Maharashtra’s Pune district?

Five of the eight are in Pune district: Morgaon, Theur, Lenyadri, Ozar and Ranjangaon. Pali and Mahad are in Raigad district on the Konkan side of the Sahyadri, and Siddhatek is in Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar) district near Daund. Theur is the closest to Pune city, at roughly 25 km.

How many steps are there at Lenyadri Ganpati?

The climb to the Girijatmaj cave temple at Lenyadri is around 300 steps; published figures range from about 280 to 310. Most people take 20 to 40 minutes with rests. Go early in the day, carry water, and ask at the base about palkhi bearers if a family member cannot manage the climb.

What is the best time to do the Ashtavinayak yatra?

October to February offers the most comfortable weather. Ganesh Chaturthi and Maghi Ganesh Jayanti are the most auspicious times but also the most crowded, as are Sankashti and Angaraki Chaturthi days. In the monsoon, the ghat roads to Pali and Mahad slow down and the Lenyadri steps can be slippery.

Is Siddhatek the same as Siddhivinayak in Mumbai?

No. The Ashtavinayak Siddhivinayak is at Siddhatek on the Bhima river, near Daund in Ahilyanagar district. The famous Siddhivinayak temple at Prabhadevi in Mumbai is a separate temple and is not one of the eight. Many yatris starting from Mumbai visit Prabhadevi as well, but it is an addition, not part of the circuit.

Do you offer an Ashtavinayak yatra package?

We do not have a fixed Ashtavinayak package at present, but our team can arrange a custom yatra with transport, stays and the temple order you prefer, and can combine it with Bhimashankar or other Maharashtra Jyotirlingas. Use the enquiry form or call/WhatsApp us; the numbers are on our Contact page.