Sacred Bal Digambar Ganesh Temple Kadav, Karjat, Raigad

The Bal Digambar Ganesh Temple, situated on the banks of the lake in Kadav, is considered an ancient and spiritually awakened Ganesh Peetha in Raigad district. Devotees believe that this Bal Digambar, who holds special spiritual significance, grants the wishes of those who pray with devotion. Evidence found during excavations at the site suggests that the location of the temple was once a battlefield. This temple is mentioned in the description of the Mahad pilgrimage site among the Ashtavinayak regions and in the second volume of the Ganesh Kosh. Temple records note that Nana Phadnavis undertook the renovation of this temple. 

The legend of this temple states that while on a pilgrimage to South India, Sage Kanva arrived at Kadav. He built a temporary hermitage here. He was a devotee of Lord Ganesha. To ensure no interruption in his worship, he installed the Bal Digambar Ganesh idol here. Mentions of Bal Digambar Ganesha are found in the Ganesha Purana and Mudgala Purana. According to these texts, the child Ganesha destroyed many wicked beings on the battlefield. It is said that this site is associated with this very mythological tale. 

According to another story, about three hundred years ago, this idol was discovered underground in the field of the village Patil, named Dhule. He installed the idol here. Since then, the staff belonging to this family is given the place of honor in front of the palanquin procession held on Maghi Chaturthi, the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha. In this Dhule family, an earthen Ganesh idol is not brought home on Bhadrapada Chaturthi. Instead, the silver mask of this Ganesha, which is in their house, is worshipped. After an inspection, researcher G. H. Khare of the Bharat Itihasa Samshodhak Mandala in Pune stated that this temple is approximately one thousand years old. Historical documents contain references stating that Thorle Madhavrao Peshwa donated three acres of land to this temple and that Nana Phadnavis renovated the temple. 

In the bustling area of the Kadav market stands the temple of Bal Digambar Ganesha. To enter the temple, there is a beautiful, uniquely crafted archway, thirty-five feet in height, situated right by the road. One enters the temple courtyard through this arch. In this courtyard, there are smaller shrines dedicated to Mahadeva, Shrikrishna, Vitthal-Rukmini, and the Saint Panchayatan. This two-storied temple is situated at a slight elevation from the ground. The structure of the temple consists of a Sabhamandapa (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). On both sides of the entrance to the Sabhamandapa, there are relief sculptures of Shri Ganesha. At the lintel of the entrance, there is another Ganesha idol, and above it, the name of the temple is inscribed in large letters. In the upper part of this entrance, on the second floor, there are three niches. To the right of these are idols of Ganapati and to the left are idols of Sage Kanva . The Sabhamandapa at 

is of an enclosed type (Gudhamandapa). Windows have been designed within it to ensure the circulation of light and air. Near the entrance of the Sabhamandapa, there is a Havan-kund (sacrificial fire pit), and on a pedestal in front of the Garbhagriha, there is a marble idol of Mushaka, the vehicle of Ganesha. In the niches on the front wall of the Garbhagriha, there are stone idols of Maruti on the left and a local deity on the right. Inside the Garbhagriha, on a high Vajrapitha, sits the approximately three-and-a-half-foot tall idol of Bal Digambar Ganesha, carved from black stone and housed within a silver canopy. This idol is without garments, that is, in a Digambar state. It features a crown on the head, a garland and a sacred thread around the neck, weapons in two hands, one hand in a blessing posture, and one hand beneath the trunk. This style is considered extremely rare. It is said that in the year १९५२, after the vermilion coating on this idol was removed, the current Bal Digambar form of Ganesha was revealed. This coating was nine inches thick. The Shikhara (spire) of this temple is fifty-one feet high. On this Shikhara, on all four sides, there are idols of Ganesha along with his vehicle. This Shikhara was installed during the renovation carried out in the year १९९१.

In the courtyard towards the south, there is an ancient Shiva Linga and a large statue of Nandi. Apart from this, statues and some relics found during the excavation at the time of renovation can be seen here. There are steps to descend into the pond adjacent to the temple. The Maghi festival here is held from Magh Shukla Pratipada to Magh Shukla Panchami. Also, in the month of Phalguna, Harinam Saptah from Eknath Shashthi to Dwadashi, Guru Purnima festival, Ram Navami, as well as Hanuman Jayanti festival are celebrated here. Mahaprasad is organized here every Sankashti Chaturthi. This tradition has been followed for the last fifty years.

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