Siddhatek Ganpati Temple

The Siddhivinayak Temple is situated at Siddhatek in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. The Temple is located on a hillock beside River Bhima and is the second temple in the Ashtavinayak series of Temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

History

According to the legend, the devils Madhu and Kaitabha originated from the ears of Lord Vishnu during his Yoga Nidra. The 2 devils obtained a boon from Goddess Shakti according to which they can not be eliminated by any Deva or Asura unless they desire to pass away willingly.

At that time, Lord Brahma was considering the creation of the universe for which he needed the Vedas. The devils stole the Vedas from Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma asked Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu woke up from his deep sleep and took the form of a Hayagriva (a horse-faced animal).

The fight between the Hayagriva and the 2 devils lasted 5 thousand years. Lord Vishnu understood that these devils were invincible until they were eliminated by the boon approved by Goddess Shakti. He was also recommended by Lord Shiva to see the blessings of Lord Ganesha prior to slaying the devils.

It is considered that Siddhatek was the place where Lord Vishnu requested Lord Ganesha’s true blessings which the latter offered happily.

Importance

• Siddhatek Ganpati Mandir is also famous as a Jagrut Kshetra.
• The Siddhatek Ganpati Mandir made of black stones faces the north direction.
• The Garbhagriha or the Temple is 15ft in height and 10 ft in width. It has Jaya-Vijaya, as the gatekeeper of Vishnu’s home adjoining the main idol of Siddhivinayaka.
• The Siddhatek Ganpati Mandir has a dome-shaped ceiling and the deity and the Ganesha image are self-existent. This is a natural icon in the form of an elephant.
• The Temple also has a Shiva – Panchayatana along with a Temple dedicated to Goddess Shivai.
• Devotees can see the icon seated cross-legged with his consort Siddhi located nearby. The Almighty remains covered with flower garlands and sindoor paste.

Architecture

• The Hindu-style architecture of Siddhatek Ganpati Temple.
• The temple is established in dark stone which faces north. The temple has a sabha-mandapa of dark stone and another sabha-mandapa, which is a later expansion. The threshold of the main temple has a little demonic head mold. The temple similarly has a Nagarkhana.

• The Garbhagriha (sanctum) is 15 feet high and 10 feet broad. It has the Jaya-Vijaya– the guards of Vishnu’s house, flanking the focal sign of Siddhivinayaka. It has a vault formed by a stone roof. Like all Ashtavinayaka locations of worship, the focal Ganesha idol is accepted to be Swayambu.

• The focal icon of Siddhi-Vinayaka is seated cross-legged with his associate Siddhi located close by, nevertheless she is covered with bloom laurels and the sindoor paste that covers the image. The idol is sheathed in metal and with its trunk turned to the. The sanctum likewise has a Shiva-Panchayatana and a place of worship for the goddess Shivai.

Idol

The Ganesha idol here has his trunk to the right side and is named Siddhi Vinayaka.

List Of Ashtavinayaka Temples

1. Morgaon Ganpati Temple
2. Siddhatek Ganpati Temple
3. Ballaleshwar Pali Ganpati Temple
4. Mahad Ganpati Temple
5. Chintamani Ganpati Temple
6. Lenyadri Girijatmaj Ganpati Temple
7. Ozar Ganpati Temple
8. Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple

Nearby Attractions

• Datta Temple
• Amruteshwar Temple
• Siddheswar Temple
• Shri Vishal Ganapati Temple
• Vriddheshwar Temple
• Durga Temple
• Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

Festivals

1. Bhadrapath: Lord Ganesh’s birth celebration known as Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayak Chaturthi is a key festival in the state of Maharashtra.
2. Ganesh Jayanti: It is another popular occasion that celebrates the birthday of Ganesha on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Magha.
3. Fairs and Celebration: Vijayadasami and Somavati Amavasya, a no-moon day that falls on a Monday are also important days on which the temple organizes a festival and a fair.
4. Magh: The Magh Utsav is an important festival at the Siddhatek Temple.  Here, the celebrations are held from Magh Shudh 1 to Magh Shudh 6 (January – February). During this period, devotees conducted Bhajans, Kirtans, and several programs.
5. Holi: The colorful festival of Holi is in the month of Phalgun (February/March), on Phalgun Shudh Poornima.
6. Shravan: Janmashtami or Krishna Ashtami, Lord Krishna’s birthday is celebrated here with a Dahi Handi during Shravan ( July- August)

How to Reach

• By Air: The nearby Airport is Pune Lohegaon Airport. There are numerous numbers of taxis and buses that will take you to Siddhatek from the Airport.
• By Train: Daund Junction Railway Station is near the Railway Station on the Pune – Solapur line which is 18 km away.
• By Road: An alternate route is the long route of 48 km from Daund-Kashti-Pedgoan. In the morning hours, many buses ply from Pune directly to Siddhtek.

Temple Timings

Darshan Timing

Regular Temple Timings	05:00 AM to 09:30 PM
Morning Aarti	04:30 AM
Dhoop Aarti Timing	09:00 PM

Aarti, Bhog and Pooja Timing

Timings	From
Saharan Pooja	05:00 AM
Khichdi	10:00 AM
Panchamriti Pooja	11:00 AM
Mahabhog	12:30 PM

Temple Video