Khargone. The Uchchhisht Mahaganpati temple located in Sanawad of Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh has its own unique specialty. In this temple, Lord Ganesha can be seen only once a month. The priest of the temple said that the temple is open only on Chaturthi day. It is claimed that during Ganeshotsav, Lord Ganesha himself appears and gives darshan to the devotees.

Every year during the ten days of Ganeshotsav, special rituals are performed in this temple, but the last day is the most important. On this day, a special yagna is organized in the temple, which is a part of the tradition here.

A wonderful sight is seen during the yagya when the priest of the temple, Pandit Ashish Barve ,
lies down in the middle of the fire burning in the havan kund. Local people say that at that time the fire did not even touch him. It is also believed that as soon as the yagya is completed, Lord Ganesha appears in the flames of the havan kund and gives darshan to the devotees.

The unique idol of the temple
The rare idol of Lord Ganesha seated in the Uchchhisht Mahaganpati temple is what makes this temple special. Here the Lord is seated on a lotus in the Chaturbhuj form. Neel Saraswati Devi is seated on his lap. Such an idol is not only found in India, but nowhere else in the world. However, there are two more temples of Uchchhisht Mahaganpati. The first one is in South India and the second one is in China. But, both these temples have become ruins now. In such a situation, this is the only temple left in Khargone, where the Lord is seated with full arts.

Here one can have darshan of the Lord on Chaturthi of every month. It is believed that all the wishes of the devotee who has darshan of the Lord while chewing paan or eating jaggery are fulfilled. In the scriptures also, Uchchhisht Mahaganpati has been described as one who gives quick results.

Preparation to join the Yagya
This special Yagya is being organized on 16 September 2024 this year. To join this Yagya, devotees will first have to make a swastika on a coconut in their home and worship it. After this, that coconut has to be brought to the temple and one has to write his wishes with red ink on a white paper. Also, devotees have to come to the temple wearing red clothes. During the Yagya, coconut will be offered in the havan kund.

Yagya and Darshan Timings
The yagna will begin at 8:45 am with the worship of the deities installed in the temple premises. After this, Sankalp will be taken from 9:30 to 11 am and the yagna will begin by setting up the fire at 11:50 am and will continue till noon. As soon as the yagna ends and Lord Ganesha appears in the fire, devotees will get an opportunity to offer ahuti. Devotees who want to come only for darshan will get entry into the temple after noon. Wearing red clothes is not mandatory for darshan, but devotees participating in the yagna must wear red clothes.

Amazing view of faith
Every year hundreds of devotees come to the temple for this special yagna and darshan of Lord Ganesha. This unique tradition and miracle is a symbol of unwavering faith for the devotees. Darshan of Lord Ganesha here is an experience that no devotee can forget in his entire life.