Ajoba Ganapati Temple

Guruwar Peth, Solapur, Taluka & District Solapur

The Ajoba Ganapati, revered in Solapur, is considered a beacon of spirituality in the city. The festival of Ajoba Ganapati commenced in Solapur eight years before Lokmanya Tilak initiated the public Ganeshotsav. Even today, this Ganesh festival is celebrated with great grandeur. Significantly, this Ganeshotsav holds the distinction of laying the foundation for the eco-friendly Ganeshotsav concept, which is widely discussed in Maharashtra today. This Ganesh deity has a permanent abode in the city. Devotees hold the belief that this Ganapati fulfills wishes when worshipped with sincere devotion.

In Maharashtra, the festival of Shri Ganesha, the bestower of intellect, has a rich tradition. Ganapati was the tutelary deity of the Peshwas. Consequently, during the Peshwa era, Ganeshotsav was celebrated with great pomp and splendor in Pune. After Sawai Madhavrao Peshwe (1774 to 1795) came to reside in Pune, this festival began to be celebrated there with a grandeur befitting the Peshwa government. A letter dated September 5, 1774, from Peshwe Daptar 32, provides insight into the Ganeshotsav of that period in Pune. In a letter sent from Purandar by Peshwa Sardar Sakharambapu to Nara Appaji Khasgiwale, it is stated: ‘The memo regarding the Ganapati festival has been received. Arrange for twenty-one Brahmins for the rituals for four days. Engage five to seven good troupes of artists and seven, eight, or up to ten old Haridas (storytellers) of long standing, as many as available, to create enthusiasm. Provide remuneration for these as per tradition.’

Similarly, Ganeshotsav was celebrated in various places across Maharashtra. In Lokmanya Tilak’s ‘Kesari’, the description published of the 1894 Ganapati Visarjan stated, ‘It would not be wrong to say that this ceremony was on par with the Ganapatis that were taken out during the Peshwa era and the ceremonies that currently take place in places like Baroda, Sangli, etc.’ From this, it is clear that Ganeshotsav was celebrated with great enthusiasm in other cities during that period as well. Lokmanya Tilak’s unique contribution is considered to be his transformation of this public Ganeshotsav into a medium for national awakening in 1983. Eight years before this public Ganeshotsav, in 1885, some patriotic activists in Solapur came together and initiated the Ajoba Ganapati festival. The elders here claim that Lokmanya Tilak drew inspiration from this very Ganeshotsav.

The history of this Ganeshotsav recounts that activists from Shukrawar Peth in Solapur initiated this festival of Ganaraya. Mallikarjun Kawale, Mahalingappa Wajirkar, Mallikarjunappa Shete, Sanganbasayya Nandimath, Devba Manthalkar, among others, were involved in this. In the first year, i.e., 1885, the idol of this Ganesha was crafted using eco-friendly materials. For this, paper, cloth, bamboo strips, paste, and gum were used. As this idol became old, a new idol was sculpted by artisans from Kerala in 1983. For this idol, crafted using traditional scientific methods, materials such as straw, jaggery, cloth, grass, Shadu clay, and gum have been used. The story behind this Ganesha being named Ajoba Ganapati is that the first idol crafted here was seated with its legs folded, resembling an old man (ajoba). From its form, it came to be referred to as Ajoba.

Initially, the idol was installed in front of a house in Shukrawar Peth, and subsequently in the Tripurantakeshwar Temple, where Ganeshotsav was celebrated. Thereafter, for many years, the Ajoba Ganapati was installed in the trunk factory of Vishwanath Banshetti, who served as the Mayor of Solapur for a considerable period. Swami Shraddhanand, a leader of the Arya Samaj founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, was assassinated on December 23, 1926. Subsequently, the Shraddhanand Samaj was established here in his memory. During that period, members of this Samaj celebrated the Ajoba Ganapati festival with great fervor, alongside various national activities. In 1994, the Ajoba Ganapati Temple was constructed at Manik Chowk in the city.

In the bustling market area, alongside the road, stands the two-storied building of the Ajoba Ganapati Temple. Entry into this building is through an arched gateway. In a large sanctum sanctorum, opposite the entrance, a magnificent idol of Ajoba Ganapati is enshrined on a Vajra Pitha (diamond pedestal). The crown, both ears, the two front hands, and feet of this idol, seated on a silver throne, are made of gold. In the upper right hand of this four-armed idol is a golden axe (Parashu), and in the left hand is a golden noose (Pasha). In the lower left hand is a Shivlinga, and the right hand is in the posture of bestowing blessings (Ashirwad Mudra). Above the idol is a large silver canopy (Chatra). Below the Vajra Pitha are a Ganesh idol made of black stone, flanked by Riddhi and Siddhi on both sides.

The administration of this temple is managed by the Ajoba Ganapati Trust. Daily, in the morning and evening, Ganesh Puja and Aarti are performed in the temple according to scriptural rites. On Ganesh Chaturthi, Sankashti Chaturthi, Angaraki Chaturthi, and Ganesh Jayanti, there is a large gathering of devotees here. Festivals like Dussehra, Diwali, Padwa, and Mahashivratri are also celebrated with immense enthusiasm in the temple. Here, on every Chaturthi, women perform recitations of the Atharvashirsha. In the Ganesh Visarjan procession in Solapur, Ajoba Ganapati holds a place of honor. This procession lasts for at least 15 to 20 hours. Devotees can have Darshan of Ajoba Ganapati in this temple daily from 6 AM to 11 PM.

Useful Information

• 2.5 km from Solapur Railway Station
• ST (State Transport bus) and railway facilities are available to Solapur from many cities in the state
• Private vehicles can reach up to the temple
• Many options for accommodation and breakfast in the vicinity
• Contact: Temple Office, Mob. 07666100384