Morgaon, situated on the banks of river Karha comes in Baramati Taluka, in District Pune. It is said that shape of this place is like a peacock & once upon a time there were so many peacocks in the Morgaon, as such it is called as "Morgaon'.
IdolThe main temple facing towards north is in the centre of village and looks like a small fortress or chateu. The temple complex comprising of a dome, surrounded by a 50 ft high encloser and decked with four pillars in each corners, portrays from afar and image of a mosque. While going towards the temple a huge Deep-mala (stone pillar for oil lamps)will be seen at first. In front of this Deep-Mala, there is one Nagarkhana (where kettledrums are kept). Near this Nagarkhana, thee is a mouse made up of black stone,holding 'Laddu' in his front two legs. On climbing the steps you will see a big 'Nandi is present before Ganapati instead of Lord Shiva? You will find answer to this question in this legend :-
'Years ago, this Nandi was taken on a cart for its consecration in front of a near by Shivalaya. However, the cart carrying Nandi broke in front of Mayureshwara's temple and Nandi-Maharaj sat before Mayureshwar's temple for ever. People tried their best to shift Nandi from this place but nandi did not move an inch. The artisan carrying cart had omen in the night. Nandi appeared in his dream and said, "I want to stay before Mayureshwar only. Don't try to shift me elsewhere forcefully, I won't come." People left with no other alternative dropped the idea of shifting Nandi to other place. Like this Nandiji was consecrated before Mayureshwar.
The main temple is made up of black stone. The temple constructed during Bahamani regime was built in typical Moghule style by Mr.Gole,a Hindu officer in the court of patshah.
The temple has four gates. In the eastern gate is Lakshminarayan, giver of Dharma. In the sourthern gate are parvati & shankar givers of Artha (desired goals). Then comes western gate where Rati & kama resides. Lastely in the northern gate reside, Mahivaraha (Earth & SUn).
Thus all deities & all sages resides in this temple. In the eight corners, there are eight statutes of Ganapati called EKDANTA, MAHODARA,GAJANANA,LAMBODAR,VIKATA, VIGHARAJA, DHUMRAVARNA & VAKRATUNDA.
In the temple complex there are trees of Shami, Mandar & Tarati. The tree of Tarati is also called as Kalpavruksha. Devotees meditate under this tree & attain desired goals.
Before taking darshan of Mayureshwar, first take darshan of 'Nagnabhairava' on the left side of Mayureshwar, and offer him naivaidya of coconut & jaggary.
Nobody is allowed to enter the Sanctum & do the Pooja of Moreshwar on his own.The various virtuous deeds performed here are Abhishek Pooja, Sahastravartan,Japa Yadnya,Mahadwar Yatra etc.
The deity 'Moreshwara' inside the sanctum is very attractive. It is in sitting posture, fasing east with the trunk turning left & smeared with vermillion mixed in oil. In it's eyes & navel, diamonds are embedded. On its head is the hood of Nagaraja. On left & right are brass idols of Siddhi & Buddhi. In front of the idol are the Mooshaka (Rat) & Mayura (Peacock).On doing Abhishek on 'Moreshwar' all desires are fulfilled.
The orignal idol of Moreshwar was small in size. As many layers of vermillion are applied on it, it looks bigger. Sometime after 100 &125 years this armour of vermillion casts off & orignal beautiful idol inside this armour is seen again. It has been heard that Mayureshwar's armour has been cast off in 1788 &1822 A.D. The orignal small idol was made up of atoms of sand,iron &diamonds & it is behind the present statue. It was consecrated by God Brahma. On its destruction by demon Sindhurasur, God Bhrama reconsecrated it twice. They enclosed the idol in tin sheet, So that nobody can try to destroy it.