Siddhivinayak Temple
The Siddivinayak Temple is situated in Mumbai on the corner of Kakasaheb Gadgil Marg and S.K.Bole Marg in Prabhadevi. It is the most famous temple in Mumbai.
This Divine old temple was consecrated on Thursday, 19th November 1801. According to the Hindu Calendar it falls on Kartik Shudha Chaturdashi, Shake 1723 in “Durmukh Sanvatsar”. The Siddivianayak mandir is on the corner of Kakasaheb Gadgil Marg and S.K.Bole Marg in Prabhadevi, which is facing heavy vehicular traffic. It was built by a professional contractor, Late Mr.Laxman Vithu Patil according to the financial support and instructions of Late Mrs.Deubai Patil, who was a rich lady of Agri Samaj from Matunga.
This famous temple is build-up in an area of 3.60mtr. x 3.60mtr. square. It has 450mm thick brick walls and old type dome, again of brick with a Kalash above. Around the dome, a parapet wall with grills forms structure of the temple. The floor level of the temple and road level are also same.
The idea of the construction of the temple was struck to Late Deubai during the prayer time, as she was humbly requesting Lord Ganesh and said, “Although I cannot have a child, let other ladies who are childless get the pleasure of child on visiting the temple and praying you”.
As one looks at successful subsequent history of the temple, it appears like the Lord Ganesh nodded to this humble request and pious thoughts and deeds of Late Deubai Patil. It is, therefore, this Siddhivinayak is famous for it and known as “Navasacha Ganapati” or “Navasala Pavanara Ganapati”. I n Marathi it means that Ganapati bestows whenever the devotees humbly and genuinely prayed a wish.
The idol of Shree Siddhivinayak or the Lord Ganesha was carved out of a single black stone and is 2’6” (750mm) high and 2′ (600mm) wide with the trunk on the right. This is rather unusual appearance of Lord Ganesh. The upper right and left hands hold a lotus and an axe respectively while the lower right and left hands hold a rosary (japmala) and bowl full of “Modak” respectively. As it resembles the sacred thread, a snake appears on the left shoulder to right side belly.
Rules and Rituals of the temples
Kakad Aarti – done in the early morning prayer: at 5.30 a.m. to 6.00 a.m.
Shree Darshan – morning at 6.00 a.m. to afternoon 12.15 p.m.
Naivedhya – afternoon at 12.15 p.m. to afternoon 12.30 p.m.
Shree Darshan – afternoon at 12.30 p.m. to evening 7.20 p.m.
Aarti -Evening – The evening Prayer : 7.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m
Shree Darshan – at 8.00 p.m. to 9.50 p.m
Shejaarti – The last Aarti of the day before bedtime : night 9.50 p. m. (The temple doors remain closed after shejaarti)
The Temple is fully closed till next morning after ‘Shejaarti.
Location:S.K Bhole Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai.
How to reach:
Through Airways- the city of Mumbai is a most important international doorway to India with international flights from major countries of the world. Air India and many other global air carriers operate regular flights to and via the city. Indian Airlines connects Mumbai with nearly all tourist destinations all over India. Private sector airlines also offer air-link to many key centres of the country. The Mumbai airport has two wings which are like Chhatrapati Shivaji international Airport and Santacruz domestic airport.
Through Railways –Mumbai city is the control center of the Central and Western Railways. Usual train services unite it with all main cities like Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Kolkata, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chennai, Nagpur and Thiruvananthapuram. You can travel to Mumbai from any part of the country by direct train service.
Through Road ways- there are good motorable roads with all major tourist centres connecting Mumbai. National Highways across the length and breadth of the country are great ways to go for the self-drive decision and head to Mumbai.
