Shree Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai – Ganpati Temples in Maharashtra

Shree Ganesh is the first to be worshipped before beginning any new project or venture as he is the destroyer of obstacles (Vighnaharta). This is Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple at Prabhadevi in Mumbai, a two-century-old Temple that fulfills the desires of the worshipers.

The city of Mumbai is a mute witness to places of worship & historical interest, which are not only popular but also of archaeological importance.

Arguably the most popular & significant places of worship are the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir situated at Prabhadevi. This Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai was first consecrated on Thursday 19th November 1801, a fact that is noted in government records. The temple then was a small structure housing the black stone idol of Shree Siddhivinayak, which was two and half feet wide. The outstanding feature of this deity is the tilt of the trunk to the right side. The idol has four hands (Chaturbhuj), which contains a lotus in upper right, a small axe in upper left, holy beads in the lower right and a bowl full of Modaks (a delicacy which is a perennial favorite with Shree Siddhivinayak). Flanking the deity on both sides are Riddhi & Siddhi, goddesses signifying sanctity, fulfillment, prosperity and riches. Etched on the forehead of the deity is an eye, which resembles the third eye of Lord Shiva.

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Ganesh, the son of Shree Shiva is one of the most prominent altars, faithfully invoked and dedicatedly worshipped by a large number of devotees. The idol of Shree Siddhivinayak is of black stone and is 2.5 feet high and 2 feet wide, with the trunk on the right. The upper right hand holds a lotus, the left an axe. The lower right hand holds a rosary and the lower left holds a ‘modaka’. Around the neck is the snake like sacred thread. The idol is carved out of a single stone. The idols of Riddhi and Siddhi are on either side of Shree Siddhivinayak.

Riddhi and Siddhi are Goddesses of success, riches and prosperity. The auspicious idol of Shree Siddhivinayak with its trunk bent towards the right is unique, as the trunk is usually found curving leftwards.

The sanctum sanctorum housing the deity was altered time and again and finally gave way to a monolithic and magnificent structure, which was accomplished by a series of rituals, which lasted a fortnight.

A Hindu temple begins with the foundation and continues in height up to the Kalash (pinnacle). The Kalash is a pointed dome at the top and is of religious significance. The Kalash, which adorned the earlier temple was lowered with proper rituals and is now kept as an exhibit within the temple premises. The temple as it stand now has been constructed after deliberations with experts on Hindu religion and customs so as to maintain the sanctity of the idol as per the Hindu Shastras. The idol of Shree Siddhivinayak has not been touched in the process of rebuilding the temple.

So as to ensure that there is no human transgression or trespass in the area from the point at which the idol is situated in to the up to the Kalash, which is a pointed dome of 12 feet high Gabhara (sanctum sanctorum) weighing 1500Kgs. and plated in gold. The devotees can thus earn the satisfaction of seeking the blessing of Shree Siddhivinayak by taking a devoted look at the Kalash.

Address: S.K.Bole Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400028 – Phone: +91-22-24224438

Official Website: http://www.siddhivinayak.org/