Siddhivinayak, Mumbai
This is by far the most popular and most visited temples in entire Maharastra. The Siddhivinayak Temple is located at K.K. Bole Road, Prabhadevi,Dadar, Mumbai. It estimated that atleast 75,000 people come on the day of Tuesday alone to attend the morning puja which is done with a huge fanfare apart from consistent visitors throughout the week. This is a place where you will also find a lot of actors and politicians who frequent this temple a lot. In fact such is the popularity that apple CEO Tim Cook began his 2016 India trip with morning prayers at the temple. Also many actors before the launch of their movies come here to take the blessings.
Well this temple was built in 1801 with just a 3.6 m x 3.6 m square brick structure with a dome-shaped brick. The building was donated by a rich woman called Deubai Patil who had everything but only thing which she felt bad about was she being childless, Deaubai developed the temple so that the Lord should grant children to other barren women. Ramakrishna Jambhekar Maharaj, a loyal disciple of the Hindu saint Akkalkot Swami Samarth buried two idols in the front of the presiding deity of the temple on the orders on his guru. As prophesied by Swami Samarth, later on after 21 years of the burial of the icons, a mandar tree grew at the same spot with a svayambhu Ganesha in its branches which led to its origin as well as popularity.
According to government records, the temple was first consecrated on Thursday, November 19, 1801. At the time of its consecration, the temple was a small structure, the black stone idol of Shree Siddhivinayak, which measured two and a half feet wide. The distinctive feature of this idol is the tilt of its trunk to the right side. The idol has four hands (Chaturbhuj), with each hand holding a specific item. Upper right hand holds a lotus. Upper left hand holds a small axe. Lower right hand holds holy beads. Lower left hand holds a bowl full of Modaks, a sweet delicacy that is said to be a favorite of Lord Ganesha. On both sides of the Shree Siddhivinayak idol, there are two goddesses named Riddhi and Siddhi. They symbolize sanctity, fulfillment, prosperity, and riches. The forehead of the deity bears an eye, which resembles the third eye of Lord Shiva.
Today Siddhivinayak Temple is the multiangular, six-storeyed structure with central gold-plated dome and surrounding smaller crowns made of gold and panchadhatu must be a sight to behold. The original idol was kept intact during the temple’s construction and renovation.
Activities of Siddhivinayak Mandir Trust:
The Siddhivinayak Temple Trust is celebrates Maghi Chaturthi and Bhadrapad Ganeshotsav while incorporating various social and environmental activities, establishing a Dialysis Center is a crucial step in providing medical assistance to improve the quality of life for patients in the community. Trust provide essential medical equipment to Municipal Hospitals for better healthcare services. Also conducts health camps where free blood donation, eye checkups, and orthopedic camps to needy one.
Trust provide an ultramodern library and reading room will promote education, Implementing rainwater harvesting systems for water conservation, use of solar energy , Encouraging eco-friendly practices during festivals by using waste generation as using biodegradable materials for decorations and avoiding plastic usage, Recycling floral waste from festivals to create compost can reduce waste sent to landfills and support organic farming initiatives.
How to reach here:
From Dadar West railway station share taxis and best buses are available for temple.
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