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Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai Overview
Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the Siddhivinayak Temple located in Prabhadevi is one of the most visited shrines in Mumbai and is of great religious importance among the Hindu devotees. This ancient temple was constructed by Deubai Patil and Laxman Vithu in 1801. The married couple was not able to bear a child and hence, they decided to build Siddhivinayak Temple to fulfil the wishes of those couples who were in a similar situation as them. It is believed that self-manifested statue of Lord Ganesha here fulfils each and everyone’s wishes.
In the central part of the temple, a small sanctum is located that houses a beautiful idol of Lord Ganesha. The idol is carved out of a single black stone and is two and a half feet wide. The renowned temple of Ganesha is also quite frequently visited by various Bollywood stars. The temple also receives a huge amount of donations throughout the year and hence is the richest temple in Mumbai. The shrine receives about INR 100 Million as donations every year.
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Siddhivinayak Temple History
Siddhivinayak Temple has a very interesting story behind the reason why it was built. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the shrine was constructed by a rich couple named Deubai Patil and Laxman Vithu in 1801. Unfortunately, they were not able to have a child of their own. Therefore, they built this temple so that all the childless couples can come here and pray to Lord Ganesha who would eventually grant their wish of having a child.
The temple is basically a square-shaped edifice with a beautiful dome which, in turn, is adorned with small decorative pieces. Ramakrishna Jambhekar Maharaj, a follower of Akkalkot Swami, who was also a famous Hindu Saint, buried two statues right ahead of the idol that is presently installed in the temple. The Swami had predicted that a Mandar tree would grow in the exact location where those idols were buried. Surprisingly, after twenty-one years, a Mandar tree indeed grew at that place. The tree is supposed to have a reflection of Svayambhu Ganesha on its leaves and branches.
Siddhivinayak Temple Architecture
The grandiose structure of Shree Siddhivinayak temple constitutes of the main tower, Kalash, which is as tall as 12 feet, three other towers which are 5 feet high and 33 smaller towers reaching up to a height of 3.5 feet. These dome-shaped towers are the main attraction of the temple. In addition to this, the older complex of the shrine is adorned with a balcony, a sanctum and a water cistern. The temple underwent a renovation and many other structures have been added to the complex.
The renovation was done under the supervision of the architect Shri Sharad Athale. He carefully studied the architecture of the temple in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan and incorporated their essential components while renovating Siddhivinayak temple. After making crucial arrangements, the rebuilding of the temple was initiated in 1990.
Three new entrances have been constructed that lead up to the interior of the temple. The crown of the temple was also restructured and the domes were gold plated. It took three years to complete the renovation of Siddhivinayak temple.
Siddhivinayak Temple Aarti
As a part of the worship, Aarti ritual at this temple is a sight to behold. Following is a comprehensive guide which will assist you in planning your trip as per the worship rituals that take place during different times of the day, festival and season:
Tuesday
· 3:15 am to 4:45 am: Shree Darshan
· 5:00 am to 5:30 am: Morning prayer or Kakad Aarti
· 5:30 am to 12:15 pm: Shree Darshan
· 12:15 pm to 12:30 pm: Naivedhya
· 12:30 pm to 8:45 pm: Shree Darshan
· 9:30 pm 10:00 pm: Aarti or night prayer
· 12:30 am: Shejaarti or the Arati before shrine closes
Wednesday to Monday
· 5:30 am to 6:00 am: Morning prayer or Kakad Aarti
· 6:00 am to 12:15 pm: Shree Darshan
· 12:15 pm to 12:30 pm: Naivedhya
· 12:30 pm to 7:20 pm: Shree Darshan
· 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm: Evening prayer or Shaam ki Arati
· 8:00 pm to 9:50 pm: Shree Darshan
· 9:50 pm: Shejaarti or the Arati before shrine closes
Sankashti Chaturthi
· 4:30 am to 4:45 am: The early morning darshan or Shree Darshanor
· 5:00 am to 5:30 am: Morning Prayer or Kakad Aarti
· 5:30 am to 90 minutes before Moonrise: The early morning darshan or Shree Darshan
· 90 minutes prior to the Moonrise: Pooja, Abhishekha, Naivedhya and entry of the pilgrims and visitors inside the temple is restricted during this auspicious hour of worship ·
Once the moon rises Pooja is done after Abhishekha: Aarti or prayer at night
· After Aarti till all the devotees in the queue get a chance for Darshan: Shree Darshan
· 9:50 pm: Shejaarti Arati before shrine closes at night
Vinayaka Chaturthi
· 5:30 am to 6:00 am: Morning prayer or Kakad Aarti
· 6:00 am to 7:30 am: Shree Darshan
· 7:30 am to 1:00 am: Abhishekha, Naivedhya and Pooja Aarti, and entry of the pilgrims and visitors inside the temple is restricted during this time. ·
· 1:00 pm to 7:20 pm: Shree Darshan
· 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm: Evening prayer or Shaam ki Arati
· 8:00 pm to 9:50 pm: Shree Darshan
· 9:50 pm: Shejaarti or the Arati before shrine closes at night
Bhadrapad Shree Ganesh Chaturthi
· 4:00 am to 4:45 am: The early morning darshan or Shree Darshan
· 5:00 am to 5:30 am: The early morning prayer or Kakad Aarti
· 5:30 am to 10:45 am: The early morning darshan or Shree Darshan
· 10:45 am to 1:30 pm: Pooja, Abhishekha, Naivedhya and Aarti
· 1:30 pm to 7:20 pm: Shree Darshan
· 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm: Evening prayer or Shaam ki Arati
· 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm: The night Darshan Shree Darshan
· 10:00 pm: Shejaarti or the Arati before shrine closes at night
Maghi Shree Ganesh Jayanti
· 4:00 am to 4:45 am: The early morning darshan or Shree Darshan
· 5:00 am to 5:30 am: The early morning prayer or Kakad Aarti
· 5:30 am to 10:45 am: The early morning darshan or Shree Darshan
· 10:45 am to 1:30 pm: Pooja, Abhishekha, Naivedhya and Aarti
· 1:30 pm to 7:20 pm: Shree Darshan
· 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm: Evening prayer or Shaam ki Arati
· 8:00 pm to till shejaarti: The night Darshan Shree Darshan
· Shejaarti after Ratha-Shobha yatra finishes
Best Time to Visit Siddhivinayak Temple
The most suitable time to visit this temple is during the evening hours as it is less crowded. Plan your trip to this temple during festive occasions such as Maghi Shree Ganesh Jayanti, Sankashti Chaturthi, Bhadrapad Shree Ganesh Chaturthi and Vinayaka Chaturthi. During such festivities, special prayer services are also held in the temple.