Lord Ganesha, the King of Nature

Matheran, Taluka Karjat, District Raigad

Located near Matheran, a place famous as a hill station, the shrine of Nisargraja Ganpati, situated along the Neral-Matheran mini train route, is very dear to tourists and devotees. This ‘Nisargraja Ganpati’, which took shape in the year 2018 and stands at a height of 52 feet, has become an important tourist destination in Matheran. Since the form of Ganpati has been carved by chiseling the high cliff of the mountain, it is also called ‘Kadyavarcha Ganpati’ (the Ganpati on the cliff). A short distance from this temple, on the Peb Fort, is a Dattatreya temple known as ‘Prati Girnar’.

It is said that the term Matheran became established in the sense of ‘forest on the hilltop’, referring to the dense forest atop the mountain. According to the beliefs of the Dhangar community in this region, the primordial parents of the Dhangars passed away in this very forest. Consequently, it began to be called ‘Mathe-ran’ (Mother’s Forest), which later evolved into Matheran. This area has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times. The Adivasis and Katkaris were the original inhabitants here. However, its identity as a hill station was established by the British. In May 1850, Hugh Malet, a civil officer from Mumbai, first visited Matheran. He subsequently built a hut and stayed there for some time, recommending the location as suitable for a military sanatorium. At that time, Matheran’s 

A formal survey was conducted. Subsequently, between the years 1858 and 1885, Lord Elphinstone spent one thousand dollars (ten thousand rupees at that time) to construct the road from Neral to Matheran. Between the years 1904 and 1907, Abdul Hussein Adamji Peerbhoy spent one lakh sixty thousand rupees at that time to commence the Neral to Matheran railway service. Due to an employee of this very railway service here The abode of Nisarga Raja Ganpati has been revealed to the people.

The story behind the creation of this temple is unique. It is said that Rajaram Khade, a driver for the mini-train running between Neral and Matheran, would often feel that Lord Ganapati was watching him from a high cliff located here during every trip. He would also frequently see the Lord in his dreams. The shape of the cliff itself somewhat resembled the deity. He had been on duty on this route since 1998. In 2004, while he was on duty as usual, just as the train was about to depart from Neral station for Matheran, a mouse suddenly entered the engine. Despite several attempts, it would not come out. Eventually, he started the train and proceeded, and upon reaching the spot where the Ganapati temple now stands, the mouse jumped out of the engine. Taking this as a divine sign, he looked towards the cliff and felt as though Lord Ganapati was blessing him. 

Shri Khade informed some villagers of Neral and Matheran, as well as his railway colleagues, about this incident. He shared with the villagers his idea that this was a sign given to him by Lord Ganesha and proposed constructing a replica of Maha Ganapati at this location. Accordingly, in the year 2004, along with Rajaram Khade, everyone began a campaign to give the cliff the shape of Ganapati. By striking the rocks here, the face of Ganesha was carved out. Subsequently, the hands and the weapons held within them were fashioned by chiseling the rocks. This extremely arduous and challenging task, which began in 2004, reached completion fourteen years later in the year 2018. Following this, this magnificent 52-foot tall idol of Ganapati took shape within the cliff on the mountain. Being nestled in the lap of nature, this Ganesha was given the name ‘Nisargaraja Ganapati’.

On the way from Neral to Matheran, approximately two kilometers before reaching Matheran, one can reach this Ganpati shrine on foot by walking along the railway tracks. After a walk of about half an hour, one gets the darshan of this magnificent Ganpati on the cliff. This site is considered a beautiful work of art created by both nature and humanity. To make it convenient for devotees to have darshan, a temple was built in a small cave at the base of this grand Ganpati in the year 2020. Near the entrance of this temple, a magnificent Mushakraj holding a laddu is placed, and inside, a small replica of the Nisargaraja Ganpati has been installed. Many tourists visiting Matheran make it a point to come here for the darshan of this Ganesha on the cliff. 

From Nisargraja Ganpati, there is a path that takes about one and a half hours of trekking through difficult mountain trails to reach the Peb fort, also known as Vikatgad. It is said that the cave on this fort was used as a granary during the Maratha period. At the highest peak of this fort, there is a small Dattatreya temple. Because its location is similar to the Dattatreya temple of Girnar, it is famous as ‘Prati Girnar’.

After leaving the mini-train track, one must descend a hill and then climb up to the plateau of another hill. The path is heart-stopping; it is a narrow trail where only one person can pass at a time, with a deep valley on one side. In some places, there is a deep valley on both sides with the path running through the middle. One has to climb up and down iron ladders at three to four locations. Traversing such a difficult path, one reaches this Dattatreya temple on the fort. The location of this temple is on a high ridge at the very edge of the fort. From here, one can see a panoramic view of the town of Neral. This small temple has no walls. In this temple, which stands on four pillars, there is a single-faced idol carved from a single stone. The idol of Dattatreya is unique. This idol has six arms. There are Padukas in front of the idol. On one side of the Dattatreya idol is a small idol of Hanuman, and on the other side is a small idol of Ganapati. 

This temple has a circumambulation path. This path is constructed in such a way that looking down from here reveals only a deep, profound valley. There is only one path to enter the temple. This sacred site is situated at the highest point of the mountain. Although the path to reach here is difficult, many trekkers, tourists, and devotees visit this temple throughout all twelve months of the year. A festival is celebrated here on Dattatreya Jayanti. An ancient temple of Lord Shiva is located at a distance of one hundred meters within the premises of this temple. There are three natural water reservoirs there. These reservoirs contain water throughout all twelve months of the year. Apart from this, there is a Swami Samarth Math here. One can rest there for some time. The natural cave located here is large enough to accommodate at least one hundred people at a time. It is said that in ancient times, many sages used to come here for meditation. 

Just as the famous Dattatreya temple of Girnar is situated at the highest point of the hill, so too is this place. Furthermore, just as there is a specific space for meditation there, the same exists here as well. Like Girnar, there is a shrine of Lord Mahadeva here too. Moreover, due to the abundance of water despite being at a great height, this place is famous among devotees as ‘Prati Girnar’ (the replica of Girnar).

Useful Information

• Taxis are available from Neral station for Matheran
• Mini train service is available from Neral to Matheran
• A walking path is available to reach the temples from 2 km before Matheran
• Accommodation and breakfast facilities are not available in the temple premises
• Contact: Rajendra Manve, Manager, Mob. No. 8149646419