Pavitra Jhari Vinayak / Veer Vighnesh Mandir Bhatye / Ratnagiri, Ratnagiri

Among the many beaches in the Konkan region, Bhatye Beach near Ratnagiri is a special favorite among tourists. Visitors are captivated by its beautiful, serene, and soul-refreshing natural scenery. Because the sand here is pristine white, the seawater appears exceptionally clear. Along with tourists, this area is also a place of faith for thousands of devotees due to the Zari Vinayak Temple, which is considered the ‘Prati Ganpatipule’ (the Ganpatipule of this region). Since the deity’s shrine is situated above the springs that flow from underground, this temple is famous as ‘Zari Vinayak’.

On the outskirts of Ratnagiri city, along the road leading to Pawas, lies the beautiful and compact temple of Zari Vinayak, dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is said that this temple has been here since 1930. One enters the temple premises through an arched gateway made of laterite stone located right by the roadside. The temple area, situated near the coast, has been paved with asphalt. For the convenience of devotees, two assembly halls (sabhamandaps) have been constructed under tin sheds. Moving ahead from the assembly halls, one sees a graceful idol of Mushakraja (the mouse, Ganesha’s vehicle) made of panchaloha (five metals), holding a laddu in its hands, placed on a platform. It is the firm belief of the devotees that if one whispers their wishes into the ears of this Mushakraja, Zari Vinayak fulfills them.

At the entrance of the Jhari Vinayak Temple, there is a water tank (kund). This tank is home to colorful fish and turtles. The water from a mountain spring flows beneath the temple and emerges through a Gomukh into this tank, flowing throughout all twelve months of the year. Remarkably, even though the sea is adjacent to the temple, the spring water remains sweet. Upon entering the small temple, one sees a 60 cm tall Swayambhu Ganesha idol in the main sanctum sanctorum, situated on a black stone slab that is three meters long and one meter high. In the four hands of Ganapati, there are divine weapons similar to those of Lord Vishnu, namely the Shankha (conch), Chakra (discus), Gada (mace), and Padma (lotus). It is said that this temple was established by a female devotee of Ganesha, following a divine vision granted by Shri Vinayaka himself. A circumambulation path (Pradakshina Marg) has been constructed for devotees, accessible via stairs along the side of the main sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). Festivals such as Ganesh Jayanti, as well as the Ganesh Utsav in the months of Maghi and Bhadrapada, are celebrated in this temple with great enthusiasm.

The Veer Vighnesh, an eighteen-armed Ganapati located a short distance from the Jhari Vinayak temple in Ratnagiri, is also famous. It is said that this is the only Ganesh idol in Maharashtra with 18 arms. The temple is a five-minute walk from the Ratnagiri bus stand. Although this is a private temple belonging to the Joshi family, it is a place of deep faith for the people of Ratnagiri. The idol of Veer Vighnesh here is a combined form of Mahalakshmi and Ganapati. Therefore, the 16 arms of Mahalakshmi and the [arms]of Ganapati This idol has twenty arms in total, formed by the joining of four hands; however, since two hands of these two are joined together, they are not visible. Therefore, this Ganpati is famous as the eighteen-armed Ganpati. In the year 1967, on Jyeshtha Vadya Ashtami, a devotee of Ganesha named Vinayak Krishna Joshi from here had this idol crafted in Jaipur for one thousand rupees and installed it in a temple built adjacent to his house.

In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, the idol of Veera Vighnesha is enshrined in a silver throne (makhar). The trunk of the idol extends straight downwards and curves towards the right at the bottom. In this white marble idol, eighteen arms are clearly visible. Below the idol is the Mushaka (mouse), and there are lions on both sides of the throne. The grand festival at this temple takes place in the month of Margashirsha. This festival is celebrated on Margashirsha Vinayaki Chaturthi at 12:39 PM by placing Gajanan in a cradle. On this occasion, one thousand fried modaks, one thousand durva grass, one thousand shami leaves, one thousand sesame seeds, and one thousand rice grains are offered to Ganapati, accompanied by one thousand recitations (avartanas). It is said that to attain the Ashta Mahasiddhis (eight great supernatural powers), one can perform an anushthana in the temple by creating an idol of this Ganapati in eight colors. Furthermore, devotees believe that worshipping Veera Vighnesha is beneficial for attaining Brahmavidya (knowledge of the Supreme), overcoming the influence of evil spirits, and for the growth of one’s lineage.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery