Siddhivinayak Temple/ Mandir Dadar Mumbai
The temple was built by the contractor Laxman Vithu Patil on 19 November 1801. 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.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.
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
Shri Siddhivinayak offers an important opportunity for anyone who’s interested in seeing inside a Hindu temple and paying respect to one of Hinduism’s most revered Gods. While many Hindu temples only allow Hindus to enter, thereby adding to the religion’s mystery, this temple welcomes everyone with its open door policy. Visitors shouldn’t expect a peaceful experience however. On an average day, the temple draws over 25,000 people. Every Tuesday, the most auspicious day of the week, this number swells to over 100,000 people. From Monday evening, the crowd starts swarming around the temple and lining up in anticipation of Tuesday’s 4.45am holy aarti (prayer). With a queue that’s known to stretch for over 2 kilometres at times, devotees show an extraordinary amount of the characteristic patience that Indians are known for. Of course, being India, money also talks at this wealthy temple. Those not inclined to wait can bypass the slow moving queue by paying a fee at the VIP entrance, making a donation, or purchasing a silver or gold membership pass.The wooden main gate of the shrine is engraved with various images of Ashtavinayak, which symbolize the eight manifestations of Lord Ganesha. In the sanctum sanctorum, the gold-plated ceiling makes the worthy crown of the Lord. Ganpati is depicted with four arms, while holding a lotus flower, an axe, platter of modakas and a garland of beads respectively in each of his hands. The image is flanked by Riddhi and Siddhi, two consorts of Lord Ganesha. Near the main entrance of the temple complex, there is a beautiful image of Lord Hanuman. Tuesday is believed to be the ruling day of Lord Ganesha, so people come in large numbers on this day. In the year 1994, Siddhi Vinayak Temple was renovated to embrace the huge crowd. During the celebratory time of Ganesh Chaturthi, the temple is visited by inestimable number of people. It is said that Lord fulfills all the wishes of his loyal devotees.
Compiled by – Townmumbai.com Team
