Are you an ardent believer of Lord Ganesha and looking to explore the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple located in the state of Maharashtra, India. This temple has a long history of being a pilgrimage spot for devotees of Lord Ganesha, and is one of the wealthiest temples in the country. In this blog we explore some interesting facts about the temple, useful information and advise for your travel plans. Read on to explore a closer look on one of the most beautiful temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
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1. The original temple was built from wood in the late 18th century by a devotee of Lord Ganesha, Govind Phadke.
2. The Siddhivinayak Temple is one of the wealthiest temples in India and is visited by thousands of devotees every day.
3. In 2002, a diamond-studded gold idol of Lord Ganesha was donated to the temple by the diamond merchant Zaver R. Shah.
4. The temple runs a school for underprivileged children called the Aasra Vidyalaya, which provides free education to children from the slums in the area.
5. Every Tuesday, the temple puts on a grand celebration, called Ashtavinayak Pooja, which features a special puja and a traditional aarti.
6. A pink stone chariot, similar to the one in the Jagannatha Temple in Puri, is housed in the inner sanctum of the temple.
7. The temple has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site tentative list, and it was selected as one of the Wonders of Mumbai by Times of India in 2009.
Shree Siddhivinayak Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh, located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra. It was originally built by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil in 1801.Since then, the temple has been a popular pilgrimage destination both for Hindus from Mumbai and other parts of India.
Everyday, thousands of devotees flock to this temple to offer their prayers and seek blessings of Lord Ganesha. The temple complex houses the main deity, goddess Siddhidatri and Lord Hanuman. The grand idol of Lord Ganesh is made of single rock and is adorned with a gold crown, diamond necklace and pearls. At the temple entrance, Garuda pillar is installed which is considered as a door to the temple.
One of the unique features of this temple is the large ant hill which is considered to be an abode of Lord Siddhivinayak, it is called the Siddhivinayak GnanaMandir and consists of three main sections – Sthapati (Community Hall), SabhaGriha (auditorium) and Yajna Bhumi (altar).
Every Tuesday and Saturday, the temple holds a special ritual called the “Ganesh Visarjan” in which Lord Ganesh brought in a Grand Palanquin to central Mumbai and the devotees take part in the auspicious procession to immerse his idol into the Arabian sea. Thousands of devotees come from all parts of the country to witness this event.
Apart from being a popular pilgrimage destination, Siddhivinayak Temple is also known for its philanthropic activities. They offer medical help to ailing people, distribute food during droughts and epidemic, provide water harvesting and eco-friendly practices to ensure rainwater availability for times of need and establish schools and hospitals for the betterment of humanity.
1. Location – Shree Siddhivinayak Temple is situated in Prabhadevi area of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
2. Timings – The temple is open from 5:15AM to 9:15PM throughout the week and remains closed for a few hours from 1:15PM to 4:30PM on Tuesdays.
3. Pilgrim – It is a Hindu temple of great religious importance. It is said to be the abode of Lord Ganesh and is a must visit shrine for the devotees.
4. Dress Code – It is recommended to wear modest clothing when visiting the temple. Men should avoid shorts, sleeveless shirts, and tight clothes. Women should avoid wearing short skirts, shorts, and tight top.
5. Offerings – Puja materials such as flowers and sweets, garlands, modaks and other auspicious items are often bought for offering to the deity.
6. Guidelines – There are specific guidelines that must be followed by the devotees while conducting the puja rituals in the temple. Photography and videography is strictly prohibited inside the premises.
7. Facilities – The temple provides basic amenities such as parking, drinking water, and washrooms to the pilgrims visiting the temple.
8. Other Attractions – Nearby attractions are Taraporevala Aquarium, Mani Bhavan, Mahalaxmi Race Course, etc. which can be explored during the visit.
Q. What is Shree Siddhivinayak Temple?
A. Shree Siddhivinayak Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It was originally built in 1801 by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil.
Q. What are the timings of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple?
A. The temple is open from 5.30 AM to 10 PM all days of the week.
Q. What is the significance of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple?
A. Shree Siddhivinayak Temple is considered to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Ganesha. It is also believed to grant all wishes of the devotees who visit the temple.
Q. What are the offerings made at Shree Siddhivinayak Temple?
A. Prasad offered at the temple consist of laddoos, modaks and red flowers. Devotees also offer garlands, coconuts, fruits and money as offerings at the temple.
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