Siddhivinayak Temple
Siddhivinayak temple is located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra. In Marathi, Siddhivinayak is also known as Navsacha Ganapati, Navasala Pavanara Ganpati which means Ganpati bestows whenever humbly genuinely prayed. It is believed that it was here on the Siddhatek mountain Vishnu acquired Siddhi and as such the idol of Lord Ganesha here is called Siddhivinayak. The temple was first consecrated on 19th nov. in 1801. This is the second temple to be visited by the pilgrim in Ashtavinayak Yatra. Siddhi Vinayak is Ganesha who grants you wish. Today Siddhivinayak temple is considered as richest temple in Mumbai.
Siddhivinayak – Lord Ganesha
That original temple was small, it consist of a hall, a sanctum sanctorum and some free open space. The temple administrative office was on the right side and a water tank was in the front.
The idol of shri Siddhivinayak is 2.5 feet wide and 2.5 feet high. It is carved in a single stone. The deity has a third eye on its forehead, which resembles third eye of Lord Shiva. The deity here has four hands (chatrabhuj). In the upper right hand Ganesha is holding a lotus, and a small axe in upper left hand. A holy beads or rosemary in lower right hand and a bowl full of modak in its lower left hand. The trunk of Ganesha in this form is slightly twisted towards right making it unique. Around the neck deity has a snake like sacred thread. On both side are two idols of goddess Riddhi and Buddhi.
Legend:
When Lord Brahma was busy in creating the world. While this was going on Lord Vishnu fell asleep. Two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha emerged from his ears. Both the demons started troubling all Gods , Goddesses and sages. Lord Brahma and other Gods requested Vishnu to kill the the demons. Though Vishnu fought for 5000 years but still was unable to defeat them. So Vishnu prayed to Lord Ganesha got siddhi and then killed the demon. Hence, the place where Vishnu performed penance is called Siddhatek and Lord Ganesha who conferred siddhi is known as Siddhivinayak.
Today the temple has undergone a complete architectural transformation. It took three years to renovate the 200 year old temple. Keeping the idol intact temple has been built into a unique multiangular six storeyed structure. That reaches to the sky. Temple has a main central gold plated dome, small crown that surrounds are made of gold and panchdhatu. Main stone used were marble and pink granite. The wooden doors of the sanctum are carved with images of ashtavinayak. Siddhivinayak Temple is a good example of fine architecture.
This temple is one of the main attractions Mumbai City. Lord Ganesha takes away all the pain of the devotee and showers his blessings.
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