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The Moreshwar temple, also known as the Mayureshwar temple, is the first temple in the Ashtavinayak Yatra pilgrimage route. It was built during the age of the Bahmani rulers, the dynasty founded by Alauddin Hasan. The Bahmani kingdom was founded by Alauddin Hasan in 1347. His title that the kingdom was made of black stone and located at the centre of Moreshwar, this temple looks like a mosque from a distance since it has four minarets on its four sides. It also has a 50-foot-tall wall around it for protection.
A unique feature of this Lord Ganesha temple is the statue of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s bull, which is to be found right in front of the entrance. Nandi is usually only found in Lord Shiva’s temples. This is perhaps the only Lord Ganesha temple with a Nandi statue, adorning the entrance way.
The main temple has Lord Ganesha’s idol mounted on a peacock. Hence it is true to the literal translation of its name Moreshwar/Mayureshwar as peacock is called “Mor” or “Mayur” in Hindi and Sanskrit. The idol is also protected by the Nagaraja or literally “Snake God”. It also has idols of Riddhi and Siddhi denoting success and prosperity respectively. Lord Ganesha is also called the “Siddhi-daata” or literally “the giver of success”. This temple is 55km from Pune, near the river Karha. According to legend, there were many peacocks during the ancient times in this area and so the name of the place Mayureshwar/ Moregaon.
