Redi Ganapati

Our trip to Goa was overdue. We had booked our tickets in April 2020 and had to cancel them when the first covid wave struck. Finally, we had a chance to go last month, after almost 2 years. Meeting relatives, visiting temples, and enjoying nature were what we had in mind. 

Our temple list was also long. We visited the Vetal and Ravalnaath Panchayatans, Saptakoteshwar mandir, Duttamandir of Sakhli, and Aravli Vetaoba. I liked all the temples but my favorite one was the Redi Ganapati. Redi is on the Goa Maharashtra border.
 
The Redi Ganapati is a little different from other temples because the idol of Ganesha was not man-made, it has come out from the ground. It is called ‘Swayambhu’(self-made) because of that. It is 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. I will tell you the story behind it.
 
In 1976, there was a truck driver named Sadashiv Kamble who used to drive his truck from Redi to another place every day and return and sleep in Redi. Once he had a dream of Ganapati telling him to dig a hole in the same place. He was a big Devotee of Ganapati so the next morning he started digging a hole. After a few days of digging that hole, an idol of Ganapati appeared from there. This happened on May 1st, 1976. The Ganapati idol dug from the place was not in fully polished form. But the trunk and the form were clear. After that day, some people painted that idol and built a temple there. After 2 months they also found a mouse from the place.
 
We also visited the Mauli temple in Redi. The whole of Redi is protected by Redi chi Mahuli who protects Redi from storms and other such troubles. 
 
We visited Miramar, Benaulim, and Redi beaches and watched many sunsets. I liked going into the water and playing with sand toys with my cousins. We also did a boat ride together which was so much fun. I also enjoyed meeting relatives after such a long time and relished the great Goan food. 
 
No doubt Goa is a great tourist destination because of the clean and beautiful beaches around so many temples.

Comments

  1. Meena KamatFebruary 28, 2022 at 6:52 PM

    Saana--We used to go very often to Redi as our Mantri main house is in Redi.I had seen this idol then in 1976 itself--unpolished--temple came afterwards.It's Swayambhu !

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  2. Naina KulkarniFebruary 28, 2022 at 7:49 PM

    Sanaa,happy to see your interests and precise observation in all places of your visits!Keep it up!.You have rightly highlighted the Swayambhu story!.In this visit the temple seemed to have got a new attractive look so is the Mauli Mandir.Both the temples are the blessings and pride of Redi!...Redi has a geographical and heritage richness as well.It is known for rich mines which gives employment to many.The beach is covered with clean sands, vast and virgin.The coconut , bamboo palm trees is Redi's pride.I feel blessed belonging to Redi on paternal side and hence visit the place whenever possible!

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