Every year, thousands of devotees make the pilgrimage circuit called the Ashtavinayak yatra that covers eight shrines dedicated to the God of wisdom. The circuit, earlier done on foot, now takes three days and two nights by road from Mumbai. The temples are in three districts - five in Pune, two in Raigad and one in Ahmednagar. “Each shrine has a unique story, and after completing the journey, one feels wholly satisfied through Bappa’s blessings,” he said. The journey usually begins from Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak temple – not one of the Ashtavinayak shrines, but the most visited shrine in the country.

Source: Hindustan Times September 05, 2016 08:03 UTC