Incredible Facts About Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai You Didn’t Know
Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai: Picture a crowded, huge city, filled with skyscrapers and cars, and in the middle of it all, a peaceful and sacred space where prayers rustle up into the air. That is what Siddhivinayak Temple is! It’s where lots and lots of people go to have a chat with their favorite Ganesha, the elephant-headed God who is so wise and gentle.
You see, Lord Ganesha is also the “Vighnaharta,” or the remover of obstacles. And so, when people have a great dream, or feel somewhat anxious, or need assistance with studying, they go to this temple to pray to Him. And lo! Many people think that their wishes get fulfilled here! Isn’t it great?
This is no ordinary temple, my friend. It’s got a very ancient and lovely history, and it’s as if Lord Ganesha Himself is always present there and hears the hearts of everybody. So let’s start our journey to know about this enchanted location.
Contents
- 1 Siddhivinayak Temple History: A Tiny Seed Grows into a Big Tree
- 2 The Wonderful Legend of the Temple
- 3 The Deeper Meaning of this Sacred Site
- 3.0.1 Incredible Facts About Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai You Didn’t Know
- 3.0.2 8 AD Lalmati Duramari Ganesh Temple
- 3.0.3 Bada Ganesh ka Mandir Ujjain
- 3.0.4 Karpaga Vinayagar Temple Pillayarpatti – 5th century Temple
- 3.0.5 Trinetra Ganesh Temple: Where Ganesha Blesses with 3 Eyes
- 3.0.6 Shree Ganesh Temple Ganpatipule: Where Faith Meets Nature
- 4 The Temple’s Lovely Architecture
- 5 Fun Myths and Beliefs You Must Know
- 6 When Can You Visit? Shree Siddhivinayak Temple Timings
- 7 Other Great Hindu Sites to See Close by
- 8 How to Reach the Temple:
Siddhivinayak Temple History: A Tiny Seed Grows into a Big Tree
Long, long ago, in the year 1801, a gentle lady by the name of Deubai Patil and a sir by the name of Laxman Vithu constructed a very little temple. It wasn’t as majestic as it is now, only a teeny brick structure with a small dome. Deubai Patil had a very special request in her heart. She didn’t have any children of her own, and she wanted other ladies who wished for children to be blessed by Lord Ganesha. So, she built this temple with so much love, hoping it would bring joy to many families.
And guess what, my child? Over many, many years, more and more people heard about this special place. They brought their prayers and their dreams, and the temple expanded and expanded, as a small seed expands into a great tree, stretching towards the heavens. The people loved Ganesha so much that they wished to make His abode lovely and majestic. So, in 1990, the temple was expanded to be the wonderful, multi-story complex you see today, with a stunning golden dome. It’s really a testament to the love and devotion of so many hearts.
Read More>> Skandagiri Temple of Sri Subrahmanya Swamy
The Wonderful Legend of the Temple
Now, I’ll share with you a secret, a wonderful tale which makes this temple even more special. There was a very holy man, a great saint, by the name of Swami Samarth. One of his disciples, Ramakrishna Jambhekar Maharaj, was a very devoted devotee of Lord Ganesha. Swami Samarth instructed Ramakrishna to place two special idols directly in front of the central Ganesha idol in the temple. He also instructed him that after 21 years, a special tree, known as a Mandar tree, would germinate there, and on its branches, there would be a swayambhu Ganesha. Do you know the meaning of swayambhu? It means ‘self-originated,’ as if the idol manifested by itself, an actual miracle!
And guess what? Just as Swami Samarth had said, 21 years later, a Mandar tree grew in that very spot, and on its branches, a natural Ganesha idol appeared! Isn’t that just incredible? It’s like Lord Ganesha Himself chose to be present there in such a special way. This story fills our hearts with wonder and tells us how truly sacred this place is.
You see, in old Hindu texts like the Mudgala Purana and Ganesha Purana, Lord Ganesha is also revered as the “Siddhivinayak.” The Ganesha Purana, in fact, refers to Him as ‘Buddhipriya’, i.e., the one who loves intelligence, and ‘Vighnaharta’, the remover of obstacles. While the detailed construction of the Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai is not described in these ancient scriptures, the concept of the deity, Lord Ganesha as “Siddhivinayak” – the giver of accomplishment and remover of obstacles – has its roots firmly embedded in these Puranas.
The temple itself personifies this very quality of Lord Ganesha, where worshipers approach seeking ‘siddhi’ or accomplishment. It’s as if the very name of the temple rings out with the timeless wisdom that is already on our sacred pages!
Read More>> Kaleshwaram Temple: Mukthishwara Swamy
The Deeper Meaning of this Sacred Site
My little one, this temple is not merely a structure; it’s a site where dreams soar and cares subside. The Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai is very significant to many people because it is said to be a wish-granting place if you pray with an innocent heart. A lot of people come here to start anew, such as starting a new school, new job, or even a new endeavor. They believe that the blessings of Lord Ganesha will erase all the challenges along their way and prosper them.
It’s also a space where you can experience so much serenity and calm, even in the midst of the bustling city. As soon as you enter, you sense a unique kind of energy, a sense of hopefulness and devotion. It’s a reminder that whatever troubles we have, we could always look to the divine for assistance and guidance. A lot of people experience a deep sense of connection with Lord Ganesha here, as if it feels like he is listening to their every word.
The Temple’s Lovely Architecture
Now let’s discuss how this lovely temple appears. Visualize a huge, tall structure which stretches upward toward the sky. The current temple, which was constructed with so much affection, is a multi-story building. The most eye-catching feature is its stunning gold-plated dome! It dazzles wonderfully, inviting all.
Inside, Lord Ganesha’s idol is carved out of a single black stone. This idol is extra special because the trunk of Lord Ganesha is turned slightly to the right side, which is very rare and is regarded as very powerful. He has four hands, and in each of his hands, he holds something special: a lotus flower, a small axe, a rosary (a string of sacred beads), and a bowl full of Modaks, Lord Ganesha’s favorite sweet! Wow!
Also, on either side of Lord Ganesha are two goddesses who are peeping out – Riddhi and Siddhi. Riddhi is prosperity, and Siddhi is accomplishment. So when you pray to Lord Ganesha here, good fortune and achievement are also showered upon you. The entrance to the inner side of the temple is through woodwork carved exquisitely, and it depicts the Ashtavinayak, the eight unique manifestations of Ganesha. It’s a tale enshrined in wood!
Read More>> 11th Century Ammapalli Temple of Sri Seetha Rama
Fun Myths and Beliefs You Must Know
Some quite interesting stories and legends surround the Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai:
The Wish-Granter Ganpati: Most devotees lovingly refer to Lord Ganesha here as “Navasacha Ganpati,” or “Ganpati who fulfills wishes when asked with a clean heart.” People give phenomenal accounts of their wishes being fulfilled upon going to the temple. It reminds us of the strength of faith and truth.
The Right-Sided Trunk: As I informed you, in this Lord Ganesha, the trunk is tilted towards the right. In most Ganesha idols, the trunk is tilted towards the left. A right-sided trunk is said to be very auspicious and powerful and signifies great energy and blessings. It is like a special, scarce gift!
The Third Eye: If you examine the idol closely, you’ll notice a divine eye marked on Lord Ganesha’s forehead, similar to Lord Shiva’s third eye. It symbolizes wisdom and intuition. Ganesha seems to know everything and know everything about us.
Hanuman’s Shrine: I bet you didn’t know that there is even a small shrine for Lord Hanuman within the temple complex. The idol was discovered while there was a road-widening exercise in the area and was lovingly installed within the temple. It depicts the way all godly energies meet within this sacred site.
Read More>> Rajarajeshwara Temple Vemulawada
When Can You Visit? Shree Siddhivinayak Temple Timings
The Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai is available for worshipers nearly the whole day, from early morning till late night.
General Darshan: Typically between 5:30 AM and 10:00 PM.
Kakad Aarti (Early Morning Prayer): Approximately 5:00 AM.
Evening Aarti: Approximately 7:30 PM.
The temple does get extremely, extremely crowded, particularly on Tuesdays since Tuesday is a special day for Lord Ganesha. So if you prefer a quieter visit, it is best to visit early morning on a weekday. And remember, my child, always dress respectfully and modestly when visiting any sacred spot. For more details you may visit official website.
Read More>> Bhadrachalam Temple | Bhadradri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy
Other Great Hindu Sites to See Close by
If you are going to the Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai, there are several other lovely places around there that you can also visit with your family, particularly if you want to know more about our rich history and culture:
Shree Mahalakshmi Temple: This temple is for the worship of Goddess Mahalakshmi, who is the goddess of prosperity and wealth. It’s a highly renowned temple in Mumbai, and people often go there to pray for good luck.
Worli Sea Face: This is not a temple, but it’s a wonderful spot to get the cool sea breeze on your face and enjoy the waves. You can see the colossal Bandra-Worli Sea Link from here, which is like a huge bridge over the sea! It’s a good spot for a peaceful walk after a religious visit.
Nehru Planetarium: If you’re fond of stars and planets, then this is a place to visit. You can learn everything about the universe and space here, which is also a means of learning about the vastness of the divine creation.
Dadar Chowpatty: It’s a vibrant beach where you can have local snacks and observe people. It’s an entertaining place to get a feel of the local lifestyle of Mumbai.
Shivaji Park: Extremely big and popular park, where numerous significant incidents occurred. It’s an excellent place to let children play and run about.
Read More>> Shree Lairaee Temple Goa | Shri Lairai Devi
How to Reach the Temple:
It is very easy to reach the Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai, as it’s located in a very well-developed area in Mumbai.
By Train: Dadar is the closest railway station. From Dadar station, you can take a taxi, an auto-rickshaw (a three-wheeled van), or even walk for a short distance to the temple.
By Bus: Mumbai has a vast network of buses. There are plenty of buses that travel to Prabhadevi, where the temple is situated.
By Taxi/Auto-rickshaw: You can simply get a taxi or auto-rickshaw from any location in Mumbai to get to the temple. They will leave you at the entrance itself.
By Air: If you are traveling from far away, the closest airport is Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Then you can get a taxi straight to the temple.
One Comment