Siddhivinayak Temple

The Siddhivinayak Mandir evolved from a small, tiny place of worship to the Grand Temple that stands today in the later half of the twentieth century. Earlier, the Siddhivinayak temple was a small construction highlighting the black idol of Shree Siddhivinayak, carved out of stone.

The credit for the construction of the temple goes to Vithu and Deubai Patil. Built in the year 1801, Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir is visited by people belonging to almost all the sects of the society. Consecrated on 19 November 1801, the original structure of the Siddhivinayak Temple was a small 3.6 m x 3.6 m square brick structure with a dome-shaped brick sikhara. The temple was built by the contractor Laxman Vithu Patil. The building was funded by a rich Agri woman named Deubai Patil. Childless, Deaubai built the temple so that the Lord should grant children to other barren women. Ramakrishna Jambhekar Maharaj, a disciple of the Hindu saint Akkalkot Swami Samarth, buried two divine idols in the front of the presiding deity of the temple on the orders on his guru. As prophesied by Swami Samarth, after 21 years after the burial of the icons, a mandar tree grew at that spot with a svayambhu Ganesha in its branches.

The Siddhivinayak Temple is designed exquisitely and truly is one of the most magnificent shrines in Mumbai. The idol of Lord Ganesh is sculpted from a single black stone, which is about 2½ feet tall.

The trunk of the Ganesh idol is tilted towards its right and the figure is represented with four arms, carrying a lotus, an axe, modakas (sweet dumplings) and a garland of beads, respectively.. On both sides of the idol, figures of ‘Goddess Riddhi’ and ‘Goddess Siddhi’ are mounted. On the forehead of deity is an eye, which almost looks like the third eye of Lord Shiva. On both sides of the Lord Ganesh idol, are placed one idol each of Riddhi and Siddhi goddesses who are appearing like peeping out of the Ganesh idol from behind. Because of these two deities along with Lord Ganesh, this temple is known as the Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple. These goddesses signify sanctity, success, wealth and prosperity.

The temple encompasses a small hall or ‘mandapam’ where Lord Ganesh is placed. The ‘Gabhara’ is an octagonal shelter, which is about ten feet wide that covers the idol of Lord Ganesh. The roof inside the Gabhara is gold plated and enhances the beauty of the idol. One can observe intricate designs and 8 different images of Lord Ganesh that are carved perfectly on the wooden doors of the temple. The temple complex covers an area of 2550 sq. meters.

In the year 1990 the renewal of the temple started and with the expenditure of about 3 crores rupees it was finished in 3 years. The white marble and colorful granite used under this beautiful temple, this is the fabulous example of well structured design. The renewed temple is like a palace of multistory fine architectural design. The main puja and darshan of the shrine prearranged on the first floor of the temple. The second floor is mainly used for kitchen for making of Prasad or Naivedya of Shree Ganesha, there is also an administrative office and a room for relaxation. On the third floor of the temple main office of the administration set upped, a discussion hall, office of C.E.O., I.T. and computer department office. On the fourth floor of the temple building there is an enormous library with a compilation of more than 8000 manuscripts on religion. Groceries preparation for carnivals is on the fifth floor.