HolyPlaces

Named after Ballal, son of Kalyan Shreshthi, from whose `tapasya', Ganesh appeared at pali. The deity is known as Ballaleshwar. Erlier the deity was placed in a wooden temple. The wooden temple was so constructed that the rays of the sun would fall directly on the deity from the two equinoxes of the temple. The temple was reconstructed in 1770 by Morobadada Phadanvis. 

The Ganesh idol in the temple is 3 ft. high. Behind the temple, another temple of Ganesh, known as Dhundi Vinayak is situated. The Peshwas had installed the big bell, in the temple which is of Portuguese make. Nearby Pali is Sudhagad which is famous for its hot springs. 

Inner sanctum is quite big and is 15 feet high. Outer sanctum is 12 feet high and it has rat idol with Modak in his hands and facing Ganesh. Temple walls are made quite strong by mixing lead with cement while construction.Hall of the temple is 40 feet long and 20 feet broad and it was built by late Shri Krishnaji Ringe in 1910 A.D. Hall is very beautiful with 8 pillars resembling cyprus throne tree. Idol of Vinayaka sitting on stone throne, faces east and its trunk is left turned.

The shining diamonds are embedded in the eyes and naval. The background is of silver where one finds Riddhi and Siddhi waving chamaras. Temple complex has a big bell made in Europe.After defeating portuguese in Vasai and Sasthi, Chimaji Appa brought these bells and offered them at different Ashtavinayak places.  

Getting there

By Road : Mumbai-Khopoli : 90 kms. Khopoli-Pali : 38 kms. Pali is 13 kms. from Nagothane on Mumbai-Goa highway.
By Rail : Panvel, Khopoli
By Air : Mumbai,

1. From Mumbai via Panvel & Khopoli, Pali is at a distance of 124 kms. Pali via-Panvel-Pen-Wadkhal-Nagothane & wakhen is at distance of 120 kms.
2. From Pune via Lonavla & Khopoli, Pali is at a distance of 111 kms.
3. Regular bus services are available from Mumbai, Pune, Khopoli, Karjat & Panvel.

Mahad  Ganpati

Knwon as Varad Vinayak, the temple is in Mahad village of Raigad district. A Ganesh devotee named Paundkar found this idol in a lake near the temple, three hundred and seventy five years back. The original temple is now enlarged. A spacious audience hall is built within the temple. The lamp before the deity is kept lit uninterruptedly for hundred years or so. 

Getting there

By Road : Mumbai-Mahad
By Rail : Panvel, Khopoli
By Air : Mumbai,

Approx. 20 km from Alibag....My friend forced me to visit this place and I was taken aback..

Great place....More or less similar to Hiranandani Garderns, Powai... The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. The tranport facilities are OK and affordable to all classes...Don't miss this....

20 Kms. away from Alibag is a small village named ' Salav ' on the Alibag - Roha route. There is a temple on a hill top near Salav village. Vikram Ispat company, a part of Birla udyog group has built this temple called ' Birla Mandir '. This temple is between the Vikram Ispat company and its beautifully located residential colony. It is a temple built in pure milk white marble and its dome can be seen from a long distance also. It can be reached by road or by climbing the steps. While climbing the temple steps one is always mesmerized by the landscape. On both sides of the steps is green velvet carpet of grass and beautiful flowers which will keep you spell bound for a minute.

The temple has marble floors and the hall of the temple is open from all sides. The ceiling of the temple is transparent which allows free flow of air and ample of light to come in. On entering the temple there is a square shaped nave.The nave is also made of marble and is very beautifully carved. The beautifully carved idol of 'Ganapati' is placed the nave. The idols of 'Riddhi and Siddhi' are placed on both sides of idol. Around the nave are small temples of 'Radha-Krishna', 'Shiv-Parvati', 'Bhavanidevi' and 'Suryadeva'. In the the garden next to the temple there is a statue of "Late Aditya Birla".

Around the statue is a beautiful gardened landscape along with colored water fountains. The pleasant climate adds to the beauty of the temple. From the temple hill top the glimpse of the green hill tops surrounding the temple and the lighted Vikram Ispat company on the other side which is a beautiful sight late in the evening. The popularity of this temple has not only in Maharashtra but in and around India also.

Worship and Aarti is done at 9.00 a. m.and 7.00 p. m. everyday. The temple is open for the public from 6.00 a. m.to 11.30 a. m.and 4.30 p. m.to 9.00 p. m.
One can always avail the facilities of the auto rickshaws and other private vehicles which regularly ply to this place. It is also possible to travel Alibag - Revdanda by S. T. Bus or eight sitter auto rickshaws and onwards another auto rickshaws.

Getting there

HOW TO GET THERE

Air: Nearest airport is Mumbai.
Road:

Kanakeshwar Temple

Hardly 12 kms from Alibag..cool climate and old temple of Lord Shiva.

The temple is situated on a small hill and the nearby village is ' Mapgaon ' which is almost 12 kms. from Alibag. The hill is almost 370 m high and we have to climb 700+ steps to reach the temple.

Ask somebody about 'Nagobacha Tappa', 'Devachi Payari', 'Pushkarni','Gaymukh' and 'Vyaghreshwar'

It's fun to visit this place...I'm sure..You'll love it... 

By Road : Mumbai-Alibag and from alibag 12 km
By Rail : Panvel, Khopoli
By Air : Mumbai,

Getting there

By Sea : From Mumbai Approach to the Island is by boat. Luxury and ordinary launches as well as catamarans leave for Elephanta from Apollo Bunder at the Gateway of India. Boats usually leave every half-hour from 9 am to 2 pm from Apollo Bunder and between 1 pm and 5 pm from Elephanta Island. Tickets are sold at booths near the Gateway of India and the MTDC offers daily tours to the Island. During the monsoons the ordinary boat services are usually suspended.