Grutsamad, a Vedic scholar, grew up believing he was the son of Sage Vachaknavi and Mukunda. Little did he know that once, his mother had been tricked into an illicit relationship by the god Indra, and that he was the result of their union. The sage Atri informed Grutsamad that not being a true Brahmin, he was ineligible to participate in their philosophical debates. Grutsamad confronted his mother and cursed her, transforming her into a thorny, fruit-bearing tree. He then undertook a rigorous penance in Pushpak forest, praying to Ganesha to live in the forest and also grant him the status of a Brahmin. Vinayaka, the one who grants all wishes, agreed to both requests and took up residence at the Varadavinayak Temple consecrated by Grutsamad.
About 80 km from Mumbai, Varadavinayaka Temple has elephant statues facing four directions. A new marble statue has been installed here, but devotees can also worship the older vermilion-coated idol outside the sanctum.
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