One of the most famous temples of India, located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra, The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Ganesh. Built by Laxman Vithu Patil, the temple welcomes devotees from all around the country and the world to attend religious ceremonies throughout the day and to pay their respects to the Lords. It is currently the richest temple of India.
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| Siddhi Vinayak Temple is the 4th richest temple in India |
Location: Situated in Prabhdevi, Mumbai in the state of Maharashtra.
Built by: Laxman Vithu Patil
Built in: 19 November 1801
Highlights: Shopping stalls at Phool Gali, Lord Ganesh Aartis and other temple rituals, Special events during Angaraki and Sankashti Chaturthi.
How to Reach: From the city of Mumbai, local transport is easily available to reach Prabhdevi locality, where Siddhivinayak Temple is situated. The nearest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at a distance of 25 km from where you can easily avail autorickshaws or taxis. The nearest railway station to the temple is Dadar. Mumbai local trains can be boarded from Elphinstone Road, Parel and Mahalaxmi to reach the temple.
Best time to visit: Because of the hot and humid weather conditions of Mumbai in summers and wet conditions during rainy seasons, winters are the best season to visit Siddhivinayak Temple.
Entry Fee: Nil
Timings: 5:30 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. (Wednesday to Monday); 3:15 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. (Tuesdays)
Introduction
Indians have a tradition of bowing down to Lord Shree Ganesha before setting out for new ventures. Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, located at Prabhadevii, allows the worshippers from all over the world to fulfill their desire of bowing down to the Lord Ganesha.
The Siddhivinayak Temple offers the locals and the tourists in Mumbai to sit back and observe the place of historical interest and worship. The temple is not only the most popular destination among the devotees but it also acts as an archaeological site of India.
Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, built in 19th November, 1801 is famous for housing the black stone idol of Shree Sidhivinayak with a tilted trunk. The idol is consecrated having four hands, holding a bowl full of Modaks and a small axe in left hands and a lotus and holy beads in the right hands.
On the forehead of the deity, is an eye, resembling the third eye of Shiva. On both sides of the deity are Siddhi and Riddhi which are the goddesses symbolizing riches, fulfillment, sanctity and prosperity.
On the forehead of the deity, is an eye, resembling the third eye of Shiva. On both sides of the deity are Siddhi and Riddhi which are the goddesses symbolizing riches, fulfillment, sanctity and prosperity.
History
Siddhivinayak Temple was built on a Thursday, 19th November 1801, by a professional contractor and a great devotee of Lord Ganesha, Mr. Laxman Vithu Patil. Mrs. Deubai patil provided the financial support for the construction of this temple.
She could not conceive a child and the idea that led for the construction of the temple was to provide a worship place to other childless women to pray for a child from Lord Ganesha.
Myths and stories that revolve around the temple have led the devotees to believe that Deubai’s humble request was accepted by Lord Ganesha.
She could not conceive a child and the idea that led for the construction of the temple was to provide a worship place to other childless women to pray for a child from Lord Ganesha.
Myths and stories that revolve around the temple have led the devotees to believe that Deubai’s humble request was accepted by Lord Ganesha.
In the beginning, it was a small structure housing the black stone idol of Shree Siddhivinayak. The temple complex was approximately 2550 Sq. m in area and consisted of two Deepamalas, a rest house and living quarters for the caretaker. In 19th century, Nardulla dug up an adjoining lake to counter the water scarcity in the region.
Later, the lake was filled up and now it constitutes a part of the temple complex. During a road extension project in the year 1952, a Hanuman icon was discovered. A small shrine for the Hanuman icon was built in the temple complex.
Later, the lake was filled up and now it constitutes a part of the temple complex. During a road extension project in the year 1952, a Hanuman icon was discovered. A small shrine for the Hanuman icon was built in the temple complex.
By 1952, huge crowds started visiting the temple and by 1965, long queues of devotees were started to be seen outside the temple.
Some Interesting Facts about Siddhivinayak Temple
- Siddhivinayak Temple is the 4th richest temple of India
- The dome over Ganesha's idol inside the temple is coated in 3.7 kilos of gold
- Among devotees, Siddhivinayak is popularly known as “Navasala Pavanara Ganapati” or “Navasacha Ganapati” which stands for 'Ganapati bestows whenever humbly genuinely prayed a wish'
- A legend goes that Ramakrishna Jambhekar Maharaj, a disciple of Swami Samarth, was asked to bury two divine idols in the temple by his guru. After 21 years, as Swami Samarth prophesized, a mandar tree grew there with a svayambhu Ganesha in its branches
- There is a place nearby temple where Saint Ved Vyasa performed sacrifices. The spot is now covered with water
- Siddhivinayak Temple is said to be primarily built by Lord Vishnu, later reconstructed by Peshwas
- A popular belief about the temple among the devotees is that all the honorable and humble wishes of the devotees will be fulfilled by Lord Ganesha on visiting the temple
- Every year, tourists from all over the world keep flanking the place in large numbers
- Many celebrities, including businessmen, film stars, industrialists, political leaders etc. visit Siddhivinayak temple, whenever they embark on a new venture
Written By Karan Saxena
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