26th April 2024, Friday - 7
By now, the cool air conditioning of our car felt like a welcome sanctuary. We'd conquered two out of the four Ashta Vinayak temples on our list for the day, with some exciting bonus stops at Sangameshwar Mahadev and Jejuri Khandoba temple.
Our next destination was Siddhivinayak Temple in Siddhatek. This temple sits perched on a hilltop, overlooking the Bhima River. Its name comes from "Siddhi," meaning supernatural powers, which Lord Vishnu is said to bless devotees with here. We reached the temple by 2:30 pm, but the scorching sun made the heat at Mayureshwar feel like a gentle breeze in comparison. Thankfully, the temple itself was nearly empty, likely due to the heat. We enjoyed a peaceful darshan and made a quick retreat back to our air-conditioned car for the long drive to Ranjangaon.
By 5 pm, we arrived at the Mahaganapati Temple, where Lord Ganesha is worshipped in his grand form as "Mahaganapati," the "great Ganesha." The towering structure and intricate carvings were truly awe-inspiring. There were only a few devotees present, so our wait in line was minimal. Interestingly, the temple authorities were bustling about, preparing for the massive crowds expected the following day, Sankashti.
Refreshed and exhilarated from darshan at Mahaganapati Temple, we arrived in Alandi and settled into our rooms. After a detailed dinner at Hotel Aradhana, we visited Gajanan Maharaj's ashram. The tranquil atmosphere instantly filled us with a sense of peace and devotion. As we arrived just before the night aarti, we witnessed the volunteers preparing to conclude their duties for the day. Following a fulfilling spiritual experience, we returned to our rooms, eagerly anticipating a restful sleep after a busy yet enriching day of travel.
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