Shree Siddhivinayak Ganpati Mandir is the most popular & significant places of worship of Shree Ganesh in India.Shree Siddhivinayak Temple of Mumbai located in Prabhadevi is counted amongst the most venerated temples of India. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the Elephant God, and is situated in the Prabhadevi locality of the city. 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.
The temple comprises of a small mandapam (hall), where the idol of Siddhi Vinayak (Lord Ganesha) has been enshrined. Boasting of exquisite architecture, the sanctum sanctorum has been fitted with wooden doors that have been meticulously carved with the images of the Ashtavinayaka (the eight manifestations of Lord Ganesha). Its inner roof has been beautifully adorned with gold plating.
Inside the sanctum is placed the central statue of Lord Ganesha. The idol portrays the Lord with four arms, carrying a lotus, an axe, modakas (sweet dumplings) and a garland of beads, respectively. The upper floors of Shree Siddhi Vinayak Temple of Bombay comprises of the residential quarters of its priests. Though the temple remains crowded throughout the week, it receives exceptional rush on Tuesdays.
Siddhivinayak or Lord Ganesha holds a very important position in the Hindu mythology. It is believed that any new work, new place or new possession will prosper if one prays to the lord before starting or using it. This is one of the main reasons why renowned people, including politicians and celebrities like Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar and Bal Thackeray, regularly visit the temple.
One of the narrow lanes that lead to the premises of the Shri Siddhivinayak Temple is known as the 'Phool Gali'. The street remains dotted with a large number of stalls, where one can find shopkeepers selling tulsi flower garlands, coconuts, sweets, etc - to be offered to the Lord. The temple witnesses exceptionally large rush of devotees, during Angaraki and Sankashti Chaturti. Whenever you happen to visit Mumbai, make sure to pay a visit to this amazing shrine.
History
The idol of Shree Siddhivinayak was carved out of a single black stone and is 2'6” (750mm) high and 2' (600mm) wide with the trunk on the right. This is rather unusual appearance of Lord Ganesh. The upper right and left hands hold a lotus and an axe respectively while the lower right and left hands hold a rosary (japmala) and bowl full of “Modak” respectively. As it resembles the sacred thread, a snake appears on the left shoulder to right side belly. 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.
Around 125 years ago, Shri Akkalkot Swami Samarth's great disciple, Late Ramakrishna Jambhekar Maharaj, who was also ardent devotee of Lord Ganesh and Gayatri Mantra was blessed with Assyssinian ( Siddhi ). One day Swami Samarth asked Shri Jambhekar to bring divine idols. Out of the idols, except two idols, Swami Samarth told to bury in the front courtyard of the house of Swami Samarth's another disciple Shri Cholappa, where Swami Samarth used to temporarily reside. Shri Jambhekar was also told to inhume remaining two idols in front of Lord Ganesh that he usually worshipped. During his attendance with Swami Samarth, Shri Jambhekar foretold that a Mandaar tree would grow on the place after 21 years, Swayambhu ( Swayambhu ) Ganesh would appear on the sacred place. From that onward people's devotion would grow in leaps and beyond.
After few years, Jambhekar Maharaj whose Math is near sea-shore at Dadar, Mumbai, asked Late Priest Govind Chintaman Phatak to look after, perform regular religious pooja etc. of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple. The predecessor of Priest Phatak, there was Late Namdev Kelkar performing priest-wood job in the temple.
From the available information and records, the land of the temple complex was around 2550 sq.mtrs. There was a lake towards eastern and southern side of temple admeasuring approx. 30 x 40 sq.mtrs. This lake was built by Nardulla in early 19th century, to overcome the scarcity of the water, faced by the area. The lake was, later on, filled up, and now it is playground and a part of Kakasaheb Gadgil Marg.
There was also a rest house, sought of Dharmashala and a pair of beautiful 3.6 in high, stone masonry “Deepmalas”. There was also a dwelling unit for the owner of this complex. In the earlier days when there were not many structures of residential and commercial type in its neighborhood area. The devotees in large numbers started visiting the temple only after 1952 and the long standing Q's were seen in 1965 onwards.
Since the owner had divided the original plot and subleased it to different parties and naturally the space available around this old temple reduced and became quite small. After 1975, the number of devotees visiting the temple started growing by real sense of Geometrical Progression. It became difficult to enter the temple or even to have “Darshan” of Lord Ganesh, the devotees were finding it quite troublesome to enter through the two small doors
History of Hanuman Mandir :
The Hindu religion encompasses various deities for worshipping. Devotees put their faith in the diety they worship. For instance, Shree Samarth Ramdas was a devotee of Shree Ram. He made worshipping Shree Ram his sole life duty. Sant Eknath was ardently devoted to Shree Dattatreya.
Shree Ganesha being the primary diety is always worshipped prior to worshipping of any other diety.
During the road extension project of Sayani Road near Elphinston Road in Mumbai the workers of Municipal Corporation unearthed an idol of Shree Hanuman.
They placed it on the roadside and continued with their work.
Devotees coming to Shree Siddhivinayak Temple brought this event to the notice of the then head priest Shree Govind Phatak. He immediately brought the hanuman idol and built a compact temple for its. This was around 1952.
The renovation has given the Hanuman temple a new look and the present temple as it stands today.
From dawn to temple closing hours, the Hanuman Mandir has its own schedule of pujas, naivedya & aartis. Every Saturday Devotees are supplied with the traditional offerings of oil and Rui garland at a minimal cost on coupon basis, a day when many devotees flock to the temple.
About Siddhivinayak temple :
Shree Siddhivinayak temple is a castle-like structure with a principal Kalash, that is 12 feet high, 3 others which are 5 feet high, and 33 which are 3.5 feet high, thus making a total of 37 gold plated domes adorning the temple.
This temple was first consecrated on Thursday 19th November 1801. The temple then was a small structure housing the idol of Shree Siddhivinayak, which was two and half feet wide and made of single black stone. The significant feature of this deity is that his trunk tilts to the right. The idol has four hands (Chaturbhuj) which contains a lotus in upper right, a small axe in upper left, holy beads in the lower right and a bowl full of Modaks (a delicacy which is a perennial favorite with Shree Siddhivinayak).A snake adorns his like a sacred thread. Flanking the deity on both sides are Riddhi & Siddhi the goddesses signifying sanctity, fulfillment, prosperity and riches. Etched on the forehead of the deity is an eye, which resembles the third eye of Lord
Inside Siddhivinayak Temple
Shree Siddhivinayak Temple as it stands now was re-constructed five years ago after deliberations with experts on Hindu religion and customs, so as to maintain the sanctity of the idol as per the Hindu Shastras. The Kalash, which adorned the earlier temple was lowered with proper rituals and is now kept as an exhibit within the temple premises.
The idol of Shree Siddhivinayak has not been touched in the process of rebuilding the temple. So as to ensure that there is no human transgression in the area from the point at which the idol is situated he up to the Kalash-a 12 feet high pointed dome of Gabhara (sanctum sanctorum) weighing 1500Kg is plated in gold. The devotees can thus earn the satisfaction of seeking the blessing of Shree Siddhivinayak by taking a devoted look at the Kalash.
The Gabhara of the new temple structure has been designed with an aim to attain maximum convenience and comfort for the devotees. It is a spacious enclosure with 3 main doors of about 13 feet height. This facilitate the 'Darshan' of Shree Siddhivinayak from either the area surrounding the Gabhara or the stage (Sabha Mandap) constructed to conduct pujas and festivities, under the directives of the Management.
A mezzanine floor with a viewers gallery has been constructed in symmetry with the Gabhara thus enabling scores of devotees to seek the Lord from there. The area surrounding the Gabhara has been designed as a sitting area and the stage adjoining the same is utilised as a platform for common Darshan sought by the devotees who are unable to spend hours in serpentine queues to go inside the Gabhara.
The Gabhara is an octagonal enclosure, about 10 feet wide and consists of a silver plated Makhar (a smaller structure within the Gabhara which houses the idol of Shree Siddhivinayak). The dome inside the Gabhara is gold plated and has been designed to enhance the beauty of the idol. An exquisite chandelier lights up the Gabhara, making it a sight never to be forgotten. doors which are used for entry and exit by the devotees are made of perforated wood. They depict Ashta Ganapati, Ashta Laxmi and Dashavatar. The donation box is made of white marble and is decorated with meenakari. This is placed before the idol of Shree Siddhivinayak.
The two side doors are used by the priests and the employees assisting them to carry routine functions.
As compared to the Gabhara of the earlier temple structure, the Gabhara of new temple structure is at a lower height. Due to this those, seeking Darshan of Shree Siddhivinayak from outside the Gabhara can do so easily and get a complete uninterrupted view of the idol of Shree Siddhivinayak.
The first floor of the five storied structure comprises of a mezzanine gallery, from here Darshan of Shree Siddhivinayak can be easily obtained. It is also used for performing pujas, Abhisheks, on Tuesday, Sankashti Chaturthi and Angaraki Chaturthi .
The office of the supervisor and his deputy are located on second floor, along with a monitor room housing a complete close-circuit video unit, a rest room for the priests and a kitchen where the Maha-Naivedya is prepared. There is a lift connecting the kitchen and the Gabhara, which is used exclusively by the priests in order to carry the Naivedya to the Gabhara.
The third floor houses, the Chairperson's chamber, the Trustee's chamber, office of the Executive officer, office of the Officer on special duty and the administrative offices of the temple trust. It also houses a conference room and the information technology section.
The library on the fourth floor has a collection of over 8500 books, on a wide range subjects. There is also a reading room and study room for the students. The subjects range from engineering, management to religion.
Arrangements for the preparations of Naivedya during the festivities of the temple have been made on the fifth floor. There is also a hall to enable the devotees to take benefit of Prasad on such days. Solar energy producing cells have also been installed on the temple. These produce electricity and have made temple independent for its electricity supply.
Shreys Shree Siddhivinayak Special Puja Days
Sankashti Chaturthi is the fourth day of the waxing half (shukl paksh) of the Hindu Calendar Month.
On this day seeing the Moon has special significance. The pujas, from Sunrise, are the same as every Tuesday but in the evening the temple closes for about 1 ½ hour prior to moon rise. The Hodashopchar Puja is performed then and an Abhishek of Milk and Rose Water is offered while a team of priests recite various Vedic Mantras and Prayers. A Naivedya comprising of Steamed Modaks and other eatables is then offered to Shree Siddhivinayak which is followed by the Aarti Mantra Pushpanjali. After this the temple is again open to devotees and Shejaarti is performed only after the crowd subsides.
Vinayaki Chaturthi is the fourth day of the waxing half (shukl paksh) of the Hindu Calendar Month.
On this day the temple is closed for Darshan between 7.30 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. The entire Mahapuja performed on this day is orchestrated by the Chief Priest of the Temple and he is assisted by the other priests. This begins with the initial invocation of the Lord’s blessings for mankind and continues with a 16 article Pooja performed with Vedic Prayers and Chanting. A continuous Abhishek on Shree Siddhivinayak is performed amidst rhythmic chanting of various Vedic mantras and shlokas. During this Abhishek the Purush Sukt is recited once, the Brahmanaspati Sukt is recited 21 times, Atharva Sheersha is recited 1000 times and the Shree Sukt, Ganapati Sukt and Saraswati Sukt is also recited once. This effort is carried out by a minimum of 21 priests. ' Also present for the entire Mahapuja is one member of the Board of Trustees, who, on culmination of the Mahapuja and Aarti felicitates the Brahmins performing this Mahapuja. The Naivedya is then offered to Shree Siddhivinayak followed by the Aarti and concluding prayers after which the temple is opened for Darshan to Devotees.
Agariki Sankashti Chaturthi the fourth day of the waning half (krishna Paksh) of the Hindu Calendar Month falls on a Tuesday. It is knows as Agariki Sankashti Chaturthi. It is a special day for the devotees of Shree Siddhivinayak and the preparations for this day begin well in advance. The devotees thronging the temple on this day are innumerable and Darshan from within the Gabhara begins at 1.30 a.m. Tuesday morning and continues uninterrupted (barring the morning Aarti and evening Mahapuja and Aarti) till about 2.00 a.m. Wednesday morning. The temple trust makes arrangement of Close Circuit Television to facilitate lakhs of people to get Darshan of Shree Siddhivinayak without stepping into the temple.
It is impossible to estimate the total number of people who obtain Darshan of Shree Siddhivinayak on this day. The Mahapuja and Abhishek which is carried out is like other Sankashti Chaturthi days. Also performed is a Sahastravartan (i.e. 1000 recitations of Atharva Sheersha) under the auspices of the temple trust. This is done at about 6.30 a.m. and is conducted from the mezzanine gallery from where other pujas are also carried out till about 1.00 p.m. after which the gallery is used for common Darshan. On this day again the temple only closes after the last of the devotees has been able to receive darshan of Shree Siddhivinayak
108 Names of Lord Ganesha
Akhuratha : One who has Mouse as His Charioteer
Alampata : Ever Eternal Lord
Amit :Incomparable Lord
Anantachidrupamayam :Infinite and Consciousness Personified
Avaneesh :Lord of the whole World
Avighna :Remover of Obstacles
Balaganapati : Beloved and Lovable Child
Bhalchandra : Moon-Crested Lord
Bheema :Huge and Gigantic
Bhupati :Lord of the Gods
Bhuvanpati :God of the Gods
Buddhinath :God of Wisdom
Buddhipriya : Knowledge Bestower
Buddhividhata : God of Knowledge
Chaturbhuj : One who has Four Arms
Devadeva : Lord! of All Lords
Devantakanashakarin : Destroyer of Evils and Asuras
evavrata : One who accepts all Penances
Devendrashika : Protector of All Gods
Dharmik : One who gives Charity
Dhoomravarna :Smoke-Hued Lord
Durja : Invincible Lord
Dvaimatura : One who has two Mothers
Ekaakshara : He of the Single Syllable
Ekadanta : Single-Tusked Lord
Ekadrishta : Single-Tusked Lord
Eshanputra : Lord Shivas Son Weapon
Gajakarna : One who has Eyes like an Elephant
Gajanana : Elephant-Faced Lord
Gajananeti : Elephant-Faced Lord
Gajavakra : Trunk of The Elephant
Gajavaktra : One who has Mouth like an Elephant
Ganadhakshya : Lord of All Ganas (Gods)
Ganadhyakshina : Leader of All The Celestial Bodies
anapati : Lord of All Ganas (Gods)
Gaurisuta : The Son of Gauri (Parvati)
Gunina : One who is The Master of All Virtues
Haridra : One who is Golden Coloured
Heramba : Mothers Beloved Son
Kapila : Yellowish-Brown Coloured
Kaveesha : Master of Poets
Krti : Lord of Music
Kripalu : Merciful Lord
Krishapingaksha : Yellowish-Brown Eyed
Kshamakaram : The Place of Forgiveness
Kshipra : One who is easy to Appease
Lambakarna : Large-Eared Lord
Lambodara : The Huge Bellied Lord
Mahabala : Enormously Strong Lord
Mahaganapati : Omnipotent and Supreme Lord
Maheshwaram : Lord of The Universe
Mangalamurti : All Auspicious Lord
Manomay : Winner of Hearts
Mrityuanjaya : Conqueror of Death
Mundakarama : Abode of Happiness
Muktidaya : Bestower of Eternal Bliss
Musikvahana : One who has Mouse as His Charioteer
Nadapratithishta :One who Appreciates and Loves Music
Namasthetu : Vanquisher of All Evils and Vices and Sins
Nandana : Lord Shivas Son
Nideeshwaram : Giver of Wealth and Treasures
Omkara :One who has the Form Of OM
Pitambara :One who has Yellow-Coloured Body
Pramoda :Lord of All Abodes
Prathameshwara :First Among All
Purush : The Omnipotent Personality
Rakta : One who has Red-Coloured Body
Rudrapriya :Beloved Of Lord Shiva
Sarvadevatman :Acceptor of All Celestial Offerings
Sarvasiddhanta : Bestower of Skills and Wisdom
Sarvatman :Protector of The Universe
Shambhavi : The Son of Parvati
Shashivarnam : One who has a Moon like Complexion
Shoorpakarna :Large-Eared Lord
Shuban :All Auspicious Lord
Shubhagunakanan : One who is The Master of All Virtues
Shweta : One who is as Pure as the White Colour
Siddhidhata : Bestower of Success and Accomplishments
Siddhipriya : Bestower of Wishes and Boons
Siddhivinayaka : Bestower of Success
Skandapurvaja : Elder Brother of Skand (Lord Kartik)
Sumukha : Auspicious Face
Sureshwaram :Lord of All Lords
Swaroop : Lover of Beauty
Tarun : Ageless
Uddanda : Nemesis of Evils and Vices
Umaputra : The Son of Goddess Uma (Parvati)
Vakratunda : Curved Trunk Lord
Varaganapati : Bestower of Boons
Varaprada : Granter of Wishes and Boons
Varadavinayaka : Bestower of Success
Veeraganapati : Heroic Lord
Vidyavaridhi : God of Wisdom
Vighnahara : Remover of Obstacles
Vignaharta : Demolisher of Obstacles
Vighnaraja : Lord of All Hindrances
Vighnarajendra : Lord of All Obstacles
Vighnavinashanaya : Destroyer of All Obstacles and Impediments
Vigneshwara: Lord of All Obstacles
Vikat : Huge and Gigantic
Vinayaka : Lord of All
Vishwamukha : Master of The Universe
Vishwaraja : King of The World
Yagnakaya : Acceptor of All Sacred and Sacrificial Offerings
Yashaskaram :Bestower of Fame and Fortune
Yashvasin : Beloved and Ever Popular Lord
Yogadhipa : The Lord of Meditation
