Padmalaya Ganesh Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Jalgaon and Aurangabad are the nearest airports.

• By train

  Jalgaon and Dharangaon are the nearest railway stations.

• By road

  Buses run to the temple from Jalgaon, Erandol and Parola.

Why devotees come here

The village of Padmalaya lies about 10 km from Erandol in Jalgaon district, Maharashtra. The temple is dedicated to Ganesha and is revered as a half peeth, one of the Ganapati peeths of India.

Padmalaya is among the two and a half Ganapati peeths of India, and it is revered as a half peeth. The temple is dedicated to Ganesha and has two Ganapati idols, both swayambhu, meaning self-manifested. They are called Aamod and Pramod, and both are Ganapati murtis. The village lies in the Erandol area, about 31.5 km from the Jalgaon district headquarters.

Legend says Bhima fought the rakshasa Bakasura and killed him. After the victory he created Bhimkund near the Padmalaya pond. Accounts differ on how the pond came about. One version says Bhim stamped his foot to make it. Another says he struck the ground with his elbow. Mahabharata tradition holds that the Pandavas bathed in Bhimkund during their exile. Bhimkund lies a few kilometres south of the temple and is still a tourist attraction today.

The temple is built of stone in the Hemadpanthi architectural style, with a pond beside it. A lotus pond sits near the temple, and devotees come for the daily aartis, which are performed with music, chanting and lamps.

Tips for your visit

• The Anjani river flows about 1 km from the temple.
• The temple grounds have many medicinal plants and herbs.
• Allow about two hours for the visit.

Questions people ask