Siddhatek Ganapati Temple (Ashtavinayaka)
Siddhatek temple is situated on Bhima river in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. It is just a 2 hour drive from Mumbai. Surrounded by beautiful trees and standing tall on hillock, this temple is quite peaceful and picturesque far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Siddhatek is located on the river Bhima, in Karjat taluka of Ahmednagar district in India. The nearest railway station to Siddhatek is Daund, which is approximately 19 km away.
This temple is considered to be the 2nd most prominent in the Ashtavinayak Circuit after the Morgaon temple. Piligirms often come here in large numbers almost every day to seek the blessings of lord ganesha. Another interesting fact about this temple is the Ganesha idol’s trunk at this temple is facing rightwards or else it is usually in the left side in all the temples in India. It is believed that Ganesha whose trunk is faced rightwards are very powerful and hard to please but if you manage to truly get his divine blessings, you can become mentally and physically more powerful in life with his blessings.
It is believed that Siddhivinayak , means one gives you Siddhi (supernatural power) with its help one can do anything for good purpose work. According to the Mudgala Purana, Lord Brahma, the creator-god, is emerged from a lotus that rises from Lord Vishnu’s(Organiser-god) navel, the specific details of Vishnu sleeping in yoganidra (cosmic slumber) and the emergence of two demons Madhu and Kaitabha from his ear dirt and started troubling. To stop them , Brahmadev request Lord Vishnu, Vishnu battles the battle but can’t defeate Madhu Kaitabh. So they request Lord shiv. Lord Shiv told them you have not invoked Ganesha so you are getting trouble in your work. Ganesha is indeed considered the obstacle remover and is invoked at the beginning of important tasks, so the work can be fulfilled without any obstales or problem.
The Siddhatek temple is constructed in black stone. It is north facing temple. It has 2 Sabhamandaps, and garbhagriha which is 15 ft high and 10 ft wide. The main Ganesha idol is believed to be svayambhu in the shape of an elephant-faced stone. Ganesha image, has brass sculptures of Jaya-Vijaya, who are the gatekeepers of Lord Vishnu’s abode. The idol is depicted seated cross-legged with his consort Siddhi seated nearby. The temple also has a Nagarkhana, where nagara is kepted ,played during religious ceremonies. There is Shiva-Panchayatana means , A shrine featuring Lord Shiva surrounded by Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, the Goddess, and the Sun-god Surya. The temple has a shrine dedicated to the goddess Shivai.
Attractions:
Temple celebrates both Bhadrapad Chaturthi and Maghi Chaturthi utsav. In both months the utsav starts from Pratipada to Panchami. The Palakhi of Ganapati is taken for three consecutive days in these festivals.
Also festival and fair is organised on Vijayadashami (Dasara) and Somvati Amavasya.
How to go here:
From Mumbai to Siddhatek distance is 272 km. from Bengluru highway. By road required 6 hrs. Daund is nearer railway station. We get train from Dadar station. From Daund have hired taxi.
From Pune to Siddhatek distance is 105 km.required 2 -3 hrs.
