Special features of the three-eyed Shri Ganesh temple at Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan

Special characteristics of the temple of the three-eyed Shri Ganesh at
Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan and the distress and spiritual experiences
felt while going to pay obeisance to Shri Ganesh to protect us from calamity

1. Special features of the three-eyed
Shri Ganesh temple at Ranathambhor

1A. Ganesh manifesting from the cliff of a mountain in Ranathambhor forest

This self-materialised Ganapati has manifested from the cliff of a mountain in the Ranathambhor forest which is located at 2000 feet above sea level. Only the face and a part of the trunk of Shri Ganesh is seen arising from the mountain and not the complete Idol. His sons Shubha and Labh are seen on either side of Him while His consorts Riddhi and Siddhi are besides them. Thus this is a vision of the Ganesh Panchayatan (five Deities). The local priests explained that the third eye of Ganesh represents intellect. An Idol of Shri Vishnu lies in front of Shri Ganesh. Liveliness and presence of saviour and destroyer spiritual emotions can be perceived in the Idol.

1B. Devotees from surrounding villages would
offer the first invitation of any occasion to Shri Ganesh

The incarnation of Bhagwan Shrikrushna took place in Dwaparyug. Local priest state that at the same time, the three-eyed Ganesh manifested for the first time. This is also the first temple of the three-eyed Ganapati. Prior to any ceremony, the devotees from surrounding villages offer its first invitation to Shri Ganesh.

 2. Legends

2A. Alauddin Khilji dispatching elephants to demolish a temple,
elephants sitting standstill in front of the temple and Alauddin
perceiving the presence of a great energy within the temple

Alauddin Khilji tried to raze this temple using elephants. The first elephant which was brought for the purpose sat in front of the temple. The second and third followed suit. It was at that juncture that Alaudddin Khilji realised existence of a great energy in the temple. He surrendered unto Ganesh and as an offering decorated the sanctum sanctorum of this temple. He would refer to this temple as Ganesh-Pir. Ever since Muslims visit this temple to pay obeisance to Shri Ganesh. They offer the first invitation of any family function to Shri Ganesh. As per the Muslim architecture even today one can see the temple walls and ceilings bearing decoration of mirrors. In this fort of Ranathambhor lies the inert seat of River Ganga.

– Mr. Pranav Manerikar

3. Spiritual experiences on the way
to pay obeisance to the three-eyed Ganesh

3A. Distress during the journey

1. Physical distress experienced while on the way to the temple, a cow suddenly obstructing the vehicle, the driver controlling the speed of the vehicle and Sadguru (Mrs.) Anjali Gadgil explaining that the cow has taken over the calamity awaiting us onto herself

When we were 40 kilometres away from Ranathambor I perceived heaviness, fatigue and nausea. Within minutes of praying for protection, a cow appeared in front of the car due to which the driver applied sudden brakes and controlled the vehicle. When I told Sadguru (Mrs.) Anjali Gadgil about this, She said that the cow has taken over the misfortune which was meant to befall on us, onto herself making the further journey pleasant.

–  H.H. (Dr.) Charudatta Pingle

2. While on the way when a person was asked for directions, he deliberately misguiding us to the bad road and we realizing later that that individual was distressed by negative energy

Being just 15 kilometres away from Ranathambhor, at one juncture we asked a man belonging to another religion for directions. He suggested us an alternate route instead of the one having potholes. After travelling for 3 kilometres when we asked another individual for instructions and he suggested us a bad road through the village, which was very narrow and filled with water at many places. It was only later that we realised that he had been afflicted with negative energy.

–  Mr. Pranav Manerikar

3B. Pleasant spiritual experiences

1. Experiencing Anand (Bliss) and enthusiasm instead of exhaustion, despite minimal sleep

On 15.8.2016 we received a phone call from Sadguru (Mrs.) Anjali Gadgil suggesting us to visit three-eyed Ganesh temple for making a resolve. It was decided to perform ritualistic worship at the temple at 7 a.m. The temple of the three-eyed Ganesh is 165 kilometres from Jaipur. Therefore we decided to leave at 3 a.m. to be able to reach there by 7 a.m. Few sevas continued till 1.30 a.m. I had to wake up at 2 a.m. for a bath before departure. Despite minimal sleep, I did not experience any kind of exhaustion. On the contrary I felt enthusiastic about visiting Ganesh temple and my chanting continued and I experienced bliss during the journey.

2. H.H. Pinglekaka not experiencing any physical distress despite swiftly climbing more than 200 steps

The temple is located in a fort on the mountain and we were told that it has 100 steps. However in reality there were more than 200 steps. It was already 20 minutes to 7 a.m. As it was not possible for all of us to reach to the top so soon, H.H. Pinglekaka advised me to go ahead. I literally ran and could reach the entrance of the temple before 7 a.m. H.H. Pinglekaka arrived soon thereafter at 7.05 a.m. H.H. Kaka usually gets exhausted, experiences muscle cramps and breathlessness with excessive walking and climbing of stairs. But that day He did not experience any distress and was able to climb quickly.

3.  As directed by Maharshi, H.H. Pinglekaka made a resolve before Shri Ganesh

From 7 to 9 a.m., the priest performed consecration of Idol by ritualistic bathing with water, milk etc. and performed ritualistic wordship meticulously. Thereafter H.H. Pinglekaka made a resolve at the Holy feet of Shri Ganesh to remove all obstacles in the path of the Sanstha, to overcome the premature death of Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Jayant Athavale and for protection of Sadguru (Mrs.) Anjali Gadgil, Sadguru (Mrs.) Binda Singbal and other seekers.

4. Though the network signal for mobile phone is unavailable in the precincts of the temple, it becoming available and H.H. Pinglekaka being able to converse with Sadguru (Mrs.) Anjali Gadgil

The temple of the three-eyed Ganesh is situated in the forest region on a fort atop a mountain where mobile network is generally unavailable. While descending the temple steps after performing the ritualistic worship, H.H. Pinglekaka casually looked at His mobile phone and noticed that the network signal indicator was showing some signal strenght. Therefore He was able to converse with Sadguru Anjalitai. While their conversation was going on, a devotee climbing the steps towards the temple asked which mobile network we used. When I told her it was Airtel she was surprised that hers was the same yet did not have network signal. That time I realised that it was a spiritual experience given by the God to us.

5. Getting the sight of antelope while H.H. Pinglekaka explaining various types of deers

During our return journey post visit to Shri Ganesh temple, H.H.Pinglekaka was describing various types of deers such as spotted deer (chital), dwarf deer (sambar), musk deer (kasturi) and antelopes (kalvit) after which we spotted three antelopes seated below a tree. We also spotted peacocks, monkeys, spotted deer, snakes, cows, foxes and other animals and birds in the vicinity of the temple.

 4. Special features perceived during ritualistic worship

A. While H.H. Pinglekaka was offering the prayer as told by Sadguru (Mrs.) Anjalitai to Shri Ganesh, a white mouse touched his foot and ran away. This was an auspicious sign.

B. As ritualistic worship was in progress a white mouse appeared there and consumed the durva (Bermuda grass) brought for the worship. It stopped there for some time. After a photograph was clicked it ran over the substances brought for the ritualistic worship.

C. During ritualistic worship a thread was tied to Shri Ganesh the other end of which was in the hands of H.H. Pinglekaka and me due to which we experienced Chaitanya (Divine Consciousness).

D. After the worship packets of prasad were given to H.H. Pinglekaka and me. We were told to wrap them in red cloth and hang in the room.

E. We made a resolve to offer a flower garland to the three-eyed Ganesh everyday to impart protection to Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Jayant Athavale, Sadguru (Mrs.) Anjali Gadgil and Sadguru (Mrs.) Binda Singbal.

– Mr. Pranav Manerikar

Reference : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat