The only Ashtavinayak temple named after a devotee rather than a form of Ganesha himself, honouring the boy Ballal's unwavering devotion, set between the Amba River and Sarasgad F…
The only Ashtavinayak temple named after a devotee rather than a form of Ganesha himself, honouring the boy Ballal's unwavering devotion, set between the Amba River and Sarasgad Fort.
The current temple structure dates to the 18th century, and the site's founding story — involving a devoted child protected by divine intervention — has made it one of the most beloved individual temples within the wider Ashtavinayak tradition.
The temple faces east, and is constructed so that sunlight falls directly on the deity at sunrise following the winter solstice, a deliberate architectural alignment found at several Ashtavinayak sites.
According to tradition, the boy Ballal was so devoted to Ganesha that he neglected his other duties, prompting his father and fellow villagers to beat him and destroy his makeshift shrine; Ganesha appeared to protect Ballal, granting him darshan and establishing this temple in his honour — making this the only Ashtavinayak site named for a devotee rather than for the deity's own form.
Darshan | Start | End | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Temple opening | 5:00 AM | — | Open | Daily opening with Kakad Aarti |
Morning Darshan | 5:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Open | Morning worship and darshan |
Midday Pooja | 12:00 PM | 12:30 PM | Limited | Naivedyam and temple rituals |
Afternoon & Evening Darshan | 12:30 PM | 10:30 PM | Open | Continuous darshan throughout the day |
Temple closing | — | 10:30 PM | Closed | Daily closing after Shej Aarti |
Aarti | Time | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Kakad Aarti | 5:00 AM | Free | Early morning awakening ceremony of Lord Ganesha |
Morning Pooja | 8:00 AM | Free | Daily worship with Vedic chanting |
Madhyahna Aarti | 12:00 PM | Free | Midday Naivedyam and special prayers |
Dhup Aarti | 8:00 PM | Free | Evening incense offering and devotional chanting |
Shej Aarti | 10:00 PM | Free | Final worship before temple closing |
Darshan | Price | Waiting Time | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
General Darshan | Free | 15–45 min | Walk-in |
Special Darshan | Free | Minimal | Walk-in |
Archana | ₹100 onwards | Immediate | Temple Counter |
Special Poojas | Varies | Advance Booking | Temple Office |
Seva | Time | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Ganapati Abhishekam | Morning | ₹300 onwards | Sacred bathing ceremony of Lord Ballaleshwar |
Sahasranama Archana | Morning & Evening | ₹100 onwards | Chanting of the thousand names of Lord Ganesha |
Ganapati Homam | By Booking | Varies | Sacred fire ritual seeking success and removal of obstacles |
Sankashti Pooja | By Booking | Varies | Special worship performed for blessings and fulfillment of wishes |
Sankalp Pooja | By Booking | Varies | Personalized prayers performed by temple priests |
Festival | Month | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Ganesh Chaturthi | August–September | The temple's grandest celebration with elaborate decorations, special Abhishekams, devotional music, and lakhs of devotees. |
Maghi Ganesh Jayanti | January–February | Birth celebration of Lord Ganesha featuring special poojas, Maha Aarti, and religious processions. |
Sankashti Chaturthi | Every Month | Monthly festival attracting devotees for special evening worship and moonrise rituals. |
Angarki Sankashti | Varies | One of the busiest occasions at the temple with special darshan arrangements, Homams, and continuous devotional chanting. |
Kartik Purnima | October–November | Sacred festival celebrated with special poojas, Deepotsavam, and devotional programs. |
Vinayaki Chaturthi | Every Month | Monthly Ganesh festival marked by special Archana, Abhishekam, and distribution of Modak prasadam. (MereMandir) |
Prasadam | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
Modak | ₹30–₹80 | Traditional sweet offered to Lord Ganesha |
Laddu | ₹30–₹80 | Temple prasadam prepared daily |
Coconut Prasadam | ₹30–₹60 | Blessed coconut offering |
Durva Grass Blessing | Free | Sacred offering associated with Lord Ganesha |
Charanamrit | Free | Holy water distributed after worship |
Nearest airport: Mumbai (~120 km) or Pune (~120 km). Well connected by road from both cities via Karjat.
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📍 Shri Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali, Raigad, Maharashtra 402111
Planning to stay overnight? Find places to stay near Pali (Raigad).
Search Hotels on Booking.comPali has modest pilgrim accommodation; Karjat and nearby towns offer a wider range.
Sarasgad Fort and the wider Ashtavinayak circuit's other seven temples are all part of this pilgrimage route.
