Siddhivinayak Mandir, Mumbai, IN

Deities: Lord Ganesha
Location: Prabhadevi, Mumbai
Built In: 1801
Built by: Laxman Vithu & Mrs. Deubai Patil
Attraction: A major temple of Lord Ganesha
Best time to visit: all around the year
STD Code: 022

Aum Gan Ganpatye Namah

The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Ganesha. It is located in Prabhadevi, Dadar, Mumbai, and Maharashtra. It was originally built by Mr. Laxman Vithu and Mrs. Deubai Patil in November 19th, 1801.

The temple has a small mandapam (hall) with the shrine for Siddhi Vinayak ("Ganesha that grants your wish"). The wooden doors to the sanctum are carved with images of the Ashtavinayak (the eight manifestations of Ganesha in Maharashtra). The inner roof of the sanctum is plated with gold, and the central statute is of Ganesha. In the periphery of the temple, there is a Hanuman temple as well.

Most icons of Ganapati depict the elephant faced God with his trunk curled towards his left. Siddhi Vinayak in Mumbai, Siddhi Vinayak at Siddhatek in Maharashtra as well as Karpaka Vinayakar at Pillayarpatti in Tamilnadu are depicted with a trunk pointing to the right (Valampuri). Ganapati here is depicted with four arms bearing a lotus, an axe, modakas and a garland of beads, flanked by his consorts Siddhi and Riddhi.

Tuesday is considered to be the most auspicious days to visit Siddhivinyak temple when devotees converge in great numbers to pray. In the Hindu religion and mythology Lord Ganesha hold the most revered position and all the new works begin with His prayer. And hence, the Shri Siddhivinayak Temple is regularly visited by the renowned persons. Millions of devotees congregate to Vinayak Temple every month just to have a glimpse of the deity and offer their prayers.

The Shri Siddhivinayak temple has a narrow lane outside its precincts called the 'Phool galli' lined with innumerable stalls. Here you can buy tulsi flower garlands, coconuts, and sweets including the pear shaped favorite yellow sweet of Lord Ganesha, the 'modak'. You may also love to explore several of the religious paraphernalia here.

Like all religious spots within India, the Vinayak Temple too is agog with beggars and you cannot escape their glare and the chaos to get something out of you. There are however adequate security measures within Shri Siddhivinayak temple with the presence of security guards at strategic points. The upper floors house the residential quarters of the priests. There is a great volume of faith attached to Lord Ganesha and it is said that the seeker never goes empty handed from the Shri Siddhivinayak temple.

Festivals:
Hundreds of thousands of devotees throng the temple, especially during Angaraki and Sankashti Chaturti days, when there is a continuous stream of visitors for as long as a 24 hour period. The temple was renovated to hold the huge crowd. During the festive time of Ganesh Chaturthi, Siddhivinayak Temple is thronged by incalculable number of people. Many television sets are installed for the knowledge of those, who do not have much time to wait in the long queues that lead to the main shrine.

Architecture:
The temple is built in Dravidian architectural style. The temple posse’s vast courtyards spacious hall and sculptural pillars with cement. The garbh graham is made with enshrining big sized black granite idol of lord sddhi, budhi, sameja vinayaga with mouse. Several mandaps are installed with adorable deities like durga Devi, lord hanuman placing on the left valli deivanai, sameda the rules and regulation underlines the principles of Sabarimalai Idol.

Lord Shiva linga is place under the pimple tree. Navgrihas are placed in the right side of the temple attracting devotees from all over the places with several devotional activities conducted throughout the year for all the deities. The temple top is constructed with raja gopuram at a height of 45 feet from the ground sculptured with 80 dolls of deities in gopuram rajagopuram are the special treat for eyes, 19 feet cement idols of hanuman also reminds the history of Ramayana mentioning the war in Srilanka on the Rajagopuram.

Lord Ganesha fulfills all the desires and wishes of his true devotees.

Other holy places in Mumbai:
Mumba Devi temple
Walkeshwar temple
Mahalaxmi temple
ISKCON temple
Babulnath Temple
St. Michael's Church
Mt. Mary Church
Wodehouse Church
St. Thomas' Cathedral

How to reach:
Mumbai is well connected by air, rail and road. The nearest station is Marine Lines. One can easily reach Siddhivinayak Temple by taking local Buses, auto-rickshaws or by hiring taxis from Mumbai.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

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