Ballaleshwar Vinayak

Ballaleshwar ("Ballal's Lord") temple is one of the eight temples of Lord Ganesha. Among Ganesha temples, Ballaleshwar is the only incarnation of Ganesha that is known by his devotee's name. It is located in the village of Pali.

Once open a time in a village called Pali, there lived a young boy Ballal who was a very sincere devotee of Lord Ganesh. Ballal belongs with a rich family, and his pre-occupation with worship at a young age dis-pleased his father.

Ballal spent a large part of his time in worship and influenced his friends to do so too. His friends parents felt that Ballal was misleading their children by showing them the Bhaktimarg at such young age.

Once while playing in jungle, Ballal found a very large stone, and covinced his friends to worship it as Ganesha along with him. A lot of time passed by, and the children did not return home as they were completely engrossed in the puja.

The other children’s parents worried and complaining to Billal’s father about their suspicion that Ballal must, as usual, have led their young children towards some worship of god.

His father went to look for Ballal and found him in the forest engrossed in his worship of Ganesh. He disrupted the puja, broke the stone to pieces and beat his son. He then left Ballal in the forest asserting that 'let Ganesh Himself come and rescue him'.

Ballal bore all the suffering in silence, all the while, silently praying to the God. Ganesha, pleased with his devotion, appeared before him & asked what he wished for.

Ballal requested the God to take abode at the village. Ganesha agreed and also mentioned that he will worshipped there as Ballaleshwar Vinayak.