The Mudgal Purana tells us about King Rukmangada, a devoted ruler and a steadfast devotee of Ganesha. When a great crisis entered his life, he came to this very spot and offered earnest puja to Ganesha.
According to the Mudgal Purana, Ganesha granted darshan to King Rukmangada and fulfilled his prayer. The word varad means one who grants boons. It is because of this grace that Ganesha here is called Varadvinayak — the boon-giving Ganesha.
Tradition holds that the idol here emerged from the earth — that is, it is svayambhu, self-manifested. The belief is that this idol was found in a nearby pond and was then installed at this shrine. According to the Mudgal Purana, the sanctity of this place arose from Ganesha's own will.
Another cherished belief in this tradition is that a lamp inside this temple has been burning continuously for a very long time without being extinguished. Devotees hold this lamp in great reverence. It is seen as a symbol of the temple's antiquity and the unbroken continuity of devotion here.
According to the Mudgal Purana, the boon-giving Ganesha resides here — Varadvinayak.
The Varadvinayak temple at Mahad sits at the foothills of the Sahyadri in Raigad District. Tradition has long regarded this form of Ganesha as especially compassionate. The very name Varad — meaning one who grants boons — speaks to the spirit of devotion that has drawn pilgrims here.
The eternal lamp burning within the temple holds a special place in people's hearts. Devotees come here seeking peace and blessings. Special celebrations are held during Magh Chaturthi and Bhadrapad. Mahad is the fourth stop on the Ashtavinayak circuit.
- The temple is open throughout the year.
- Aarti is performed every morning and evening.
- Special celebrations are held on Magh Shukla Chaturthi and Bhadrapad Ganesh Chaturthi.
- Devotees come to take darshan of the eternal lamp burning inside — a tradition held to be very ancient.