Shri Atharabhuja Ganesh Mandir

Ramtek, Ramtek Taluka, Nagpur District

The city of Ramtek in Nagpur district, known as ‘Vidarbha’s Ayodhya,’ is home to many ancient temples. At the foot of Ramtek Fort, sanctified by the presence of Shri Rama, stands the famous temple of Shri Ganesha, the revered deity of knowledge. It is said that the eighteen-armed idol of Ganesha in this temple is the only one of its kind in the entire country. This Atharabhuja Ganesha temple, one of the Ashtavinayakas of Vidarbha, is a revered place of worship for devotees from Nagpur and all of Vidarbha. Thousands of devotees come here for darshan during Ganesh Chaturthi, as this Ganesha is renowned as a ‘Jagrut Sthan’ (a living, awakened place) and one who fulfills wishes.

The Atharabhuja Ganesh Mandir is located in Shastri Ward, in the heart of Ramtek city, at the foot of Ramgiri Hill. What is special is that in this single temple, one can behold three forms of Ganesha. According to a legend, Ganesha appeared in a dream to a Brahmin in Ramtek, instructing him to find His idol in the nearby river and install it in a temple. Following this vision, an eighteen-armed idol of Ganesha was discovered. It was then consecrated with due rituals. Since then, this Ganesha has been worshipped. It is believed that the ancestors of the Chandrayan family of Nagpur constructed the temple approximately five hundred years ago.

According to historical records, King Raghuji Bhosale renovated this temple in the sixteenth century. The temple has three sanctum sanctorums, with one Ganesha idol in each. In the central sanctum, there is a Mahaganapati idol, approximately five and a half feet tall. The crown and trunk of this Ganesha are made of silver. In the sanctum on the right, beside the Ganesha idol, are idols of Riddhi and Siddhi. On the left side is a five-foot-tall, eighteen-armed white marble idol of Ganesha. Among the eighteen arms, sixteen hold various weapons, while one hand holds a modak and another holds a peacock-feather pen. It is believed that students who worship this Ganesha benefit greatly. The weapons in the other hands include a mace, arrow, spear, tomara, mudgala, ankusha, sula, parigha, and others. This Ganesha has a coiled trunk and a five-hooded serpent above His head. Additionally, He wears a serpent around His neck and a serpent belt around His waist. Due to the eighteen siddhis, Atharabhuja Ganesha is referred to as Vighneshwara in the shastras and puranas. In the sabhamandap (assembly hall) of this temple, on the pillars along the walls, there are idols and images of the main Ashtavinayakas and the Ashtavinayakas of Vidarbha. To the right of the sabhamandap is an idol of Mahalakshmi. Furthermore, adjacent to the temple are temples dedicated to Mahadev and Maruti.

In nineteen eighty, Mahant Gopaldas Maharaj of Shri Agasti Muni Ashram constructed the protective walls of this temple and carried out other repairs. A few years ago, the youth of the city came together to form the Atharabhuja Ganesh Mandal and renovated the temple. After that, the temple acquired its present form.

As this is one of the pilgrimage sites among the Ashtavinayakas of Vidarbha, devotees throng this temple throughout the year. Thousands of devotees come for darshan on every Chaturthi. The honor of the first puja in this temple still belongs to the Chandrayan family. The famous procession of Ramtek also begins from this temple. Any public function in Ramtek city is initiated with puja and archan at the Atharabhuja Ganesh Mandir. Every year, a large fair is held here on the Chaturthi that follows Sankranti. This temple has been included in the ‘C’ category of pilgrimage sites.

Useful Information:

• Fifty kilometers from Nagpur, and one and a half kilometers from Ramtek Bus Stand
• State Transport bus service available every hour from Nagpur to Ramtek
• Private vehicles can go directly to the temple
• Being a taluka headquarter, there are many options for accommodation and breakfast