Pali Ballaleshwar Temple, Lonavala - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Pali Ballaleshwar Temple

At a distance of 55 Km from Lonavala, 58 Km from Alibaug, 118 from Pune and 105 Km from Mumbai, Ballaleshwar Temple is a Hindu temple situated at Pali village in the Raigad district, Maharashtra. The temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. It is one of the eight Ashtavinayak temples venerating Lord Ganesha, bearing immense religious importance in Maharashtra. The other Ashtavinayaka Temples in Maharashtra being Moreshwar in Morgaon, Siddhivinayak in Siddhatek, Maha Ganapati Temple in Ranjangaon, Varadavinayak in Mahad, Chintamani in Theur, Girijatmaj in Lenyadri, and Vighneshwar in Ozar. Among the Ashtavinayak temples, Ballaleshwar is the only one dedicated to Ganesha that is known by his devotee's name. This temple is regarded as one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites near Mumbai.

History of Pali Ballaleshwar Temple

The Ballaleshwar Temple, located in Pali, was built in 1640 by Moreshvar Vitthal Sindkar, a key figure in the endeavors of Chatrapati Shivaji. Initially, the temple was constructed from wood. In 1760, it underwent renovations that led to the creation of a new stone temple, designed by Nana Phadnavis. This stone edifice is particularly remarkable for its construction method, which incorporated a mixture of lead and cement to enhance its durability and longevity. Chimaji Appa, the brother of Bajirao I, donated a large bell that can be seen at the temple. This bell is one of several taken from a Portuguese church, which Chimaji and his forces captured as trophies after their victory over the Portuguese at the Battle of Bacaim in 1739.

Mythology of Pali Ballaleshwar Temple

According to legend, in ancient Pali, there lived a prosperous businessman named Kalyan, along with his wife Indumati and their son Ballal. The young boy and his friends often engaged in a game of worship, using stones as substitutes for idols. One day, while exploring the outskirts of the village, they discovered a large stone. Encouraged by Ballal, the children began to venerate this stone as Lord Ganesha, immersing themselves in their devotion day and night, neglecting food.

Meanwhile, the parents of the village grew increasingly concerned about their children's absence. When the children failed to return home, they gathered at Kalyan's residence to voice their grievances regarding Ballal. Enraged, Kalyan rushed to the site of the worship, where he forcefully discarded the stone idol that the children had been honoring and physically punished Ballal. He then bound his son to a tree and destroyed all the offerings the children had collected for their rituals. Despite his injuries and exhaustion, Ballal continued to chant prayers to Lord Ganesha. Moved by the boy's unwavering devotion, Lord Ganesha appeared before him and healed his wounds. Ballal then requested the deity to reside in his village, to which Lord Ganesha consented, taking the form of Lord Ballaleshwar, named after the boy. The stone idol that Kalyan had cast aside is also referred to as Dhundi Vinayak, a swayambhu murti that is worshiped prior to the veneration of Ballaleshwar.

Architecture of Pali Ballaleshwar Temple

The Ballaleshwar Temple, designed in the shape of the letter Shri, faces east and comprises two distinct sanctums. The inner sanctum reaches a height of 15 feet, while the outer sanctum stands at 12 feet. Within the outer sanctum, there is a murti of a rat, which holds a modak in its paws and faces Ganesha. The inner sanctum is dedicated to the principal idol of Lord Ganesh, revered here as Ballaleshwar in honor of Bhakta Ballal. This idol of Vinayaka is positioned on a stone throne, oriented eastward with its trunk turned to the left, set against a silver backdrop featuring Riddhi and Siddhi, who are depicted waving chamaras. The murti is adorned with diamonds in its eyes and navel. The temple's architecture is such that sunlight illuminates the main idol during the Dakshinayana. The temple complex is surrounded by two lakes and is fully tiled.

Festivals of Pali Ballaleshwar Temple

Ganesh Chaturthi is a significant festival celebrated at the Ballaleshwar Temple in Pali. Occurring in August or September, this five-day event spans from Bhadrapad Shudh Pratipada to Panchami and honors the birth of Lord Ganesha. The festival is characterized by lively decorations, devotional songs, and special pujas. Another notable celebration is Maghi Utsav, which takes place during the Hindu month of Magha (January/February) and represents the rebirth of Lord Ganesha. Additionally, the five-day Dhundi Vinayak Utsav is observed in the month of Jyeshtha, from Jyeshtha Shudh Pratipada to Panchami here. The temple also hosts vibrant celebrations for Krishna Janmashtami, Holi, Dusshera, Deepawali, and Kartik Poornima.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of Pali Ballaleshwar Temple

Pali Ballaleshwar Temple does not enforce a strict dress code; however, it is advisable to wear modest attire that covers the upper arms and legs as a mark of respect. Men are encouraged to don a dhoti or pajama along with an appropriate upper garment, or to wear formal trousers and shirts. Women may choose to wear a saree, half saree, or chudidhars. It is recommended to avoid modern clothing such as mini-skirts, shorts, and sleeveless tops while visiting the temple.

Non-Hindus are generally not allowed inside the main sanctum sanctorum of the Pali Ballaleshwar Temple. However, they can often appreciate the temple's architecture and surroundings from outside.

Pali Ballaleshwar Temple Timings

Monday: 5:30 AM - 10 PM
Tuesday: 5:30 AM - 10 PM
Wednesday: 5:30 AM - 10 PM
Thursday: 5:30 AM - 10 PM
Friday: 5:30 AM - 10 PM
Saturday: 5:30 AM - 10 PM
Sunday: 5:30 AM - 10 PM

Pali Ballaleshwar Temple Entry Fee

Entry is Free

Best Time to Visit Pali Ballaleshwar Temple

The ideal period to visit Ballaleshwar Temple in Pali is between August and February, as the weather during this time is pleasant and conducive for temple exploration. Those interested in experiencing the festivities should consider visiting during Ganesh Chaturthi, when the temple is adorned with flowers and lights, and various religious events are held throughout the five-day celebration. However, visitors should note that this is the peak season, leading to larger crowds. For a more tranquil experience, the monsoon months of July to September are suitable that offer a lush and vibrant landscape. It is advisable to steer clear of the summer months due to the intense heat.

How to Reach Pali Ballaleshwar Temple

Mumbai Airport is the nearest airport which is about 106 Km from Pali Temple. Karjat Railway Station is the nearest railhead which is located at a distance of 58 Km from Pali. It has regular trains from Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Hyderabad, Bhuj, Ahmedabad, Bidar, Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Solapur, Indore, and Khopoli. Pali is well connected by bus with Mumbai, Lonavala, Pune, Khopoli, and Karjat.