Legend and history:
Ganesha is believed to have saved his boy-devotee, Ballala, who was beaten by villagers for his single-minded devotion to the Lord. Moroba, the brother of Nana Phadnavis and Kaka Baburao built the temple. It was later renovated by a local citizen named Krishnaji Narayan Ringe between 1824 and 1830.

Yatra:
Magha Shukla 4. The two festivals celebrated here during Bhadrapada & Magha (Shudha Pratipada to Panchami). It is the experience of many devotees that Ballaleshwara fulfills all their desires & demands. Hence worshippers throng this kshetra either to express their desires & to thank him after their desires are fulfilled.

"Whoever comes here on Bhadrapada Shudha Chaturti & has my darshan, all his desires will be fulfilled." is the boon given by Ganesh to Ballal. On the night of Bhadrapada Chaturthi there is Mahanaivedyam & on Panchami there is Annasantarpan.
Devotees make 21 pradakshinas (holy rounds) of Ganapati to get their desires fulfilled & problems solved.

There is a firm belief among the devotees that at midnight of Magha Shudha Chaturthi Shree Gajanana actually comes to the temple to physically parttake the food offered as Naivedyam. Hence there is heavy rush then.

Route Road:
Road: Forty km from the Khopoli-Shil Phata Road, off the Mumbai-Pune highway, about 11 km before Nagothane on the Mumbai-Goa highway. In Sudhagad taluka of Raigad district, near the village Nagothane, Shri Ballaleshwar is situated in the village Pali. It is at a distance of 30 kms. from Karjat. From Mumbai via Panvel & Khopoli, Pali is at a distance of 124 kms. Pali via-Panvel-Pen-Wadkhal-Nagothane & wakhen is at distance of 120 kms. From Pune via Lonavla & Khopoli, Pali is at a distance of 111 kms. Regular bus services are available from Mumbai, Pune, Khopoli, Karjat & Pnvel

The Temple and idol:
The temple faces the east. Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the right.

Location: Pali, Kulaba District Maharashtra.