Vighneshwar Gold-Leaf (Sone-Ganesh) Murti at Ozar.
Pilgrims darshan the Vighneshwar at Ozar without knowing this is the ONLY gold-leaf-clad Ganapati murti among the 8 Ashtavinayak — the "sone-Ganesh" or "gold-Ganesh" of Ozar, distinguishing it from the seven black-stone counterparts.WHY NOBODY KNOWS
The Vighneshwar murti at Ozar — the ONLY Ashtavinayak Ganapati covered in gold leaf (sone) over the underlying stone, hence the local nickname "sone-Ganesh" (gold-Ganesh). Gold leaf is applied and renewed by the temple trust through Maharashtra Mint approval every 7-10 years; current leafing dates from c. 2019. The Peshwa-era (c. 1785 Chimaji Appa) brass-cladded sanctum doorway frames the murti; the gold leaf was added in the late 18th c post-Chimaji-renovation. Open 5am-9.30pm; free entry; modest dress; no cameras inside sanctum.
