Today marks Ganesh Chaturthi, the vibrant and joyous festival celebrated across India to honor the birth of Lord Ganesha. This 10-day festival begins on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), the sixth month of the Hindu calendar. On this auspicious day, my thoughts drift back to a memorable visit to Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, an iconic place of worship dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

The Visit

In October 2018, while returning home from a trip to Goa, my friends Jagrata, Judhajit, and I decided to visit the revered Shree Siddhivinayak Temple. Located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, this temple, over 200 years old, stands as a testament to devotion and architectural beauty.

The Legend of Lord Ganesha

In Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha is revered as the God of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. The legend of Ganesha’s creation is a tale of devotion, sacrifice, and divine intervention. According to the story, Goddess Parvati created baby Ganesha from sandalwood paste and tasked him with guarding her as she bathed. When Lord Shiva, her husband, wanted to enter, Ganesha, unaware of his identity, refused him entry. This enraged Shiva, who, in a fit of anger, severed Ganesha’s head. Heartbroken, Parvati implored Shiva to revive her son. Shiva promised to bring Ganesha back to life and instructed his followers to find the head of the first living creature they encountered. They returned with the head of a baby elephant, which Shiva affixed to Ganesha’s body, thus reviving him and naming him Ganapati, the leader of the Ganas.

History of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple

The temple’s history dates back to 1801, when a childless woman named Deubai Patil funded its construction, hoping that the Lord would bless other childless women with children. Laxman Vithu Patil was the architect behind the initial temple structure, a small 3.6-meter square brick building with a dome-shaped shikhara.

The idol of Lord Ganesha at Shree Siddhivinayak Temple is carved from a single piece of black stone. Depicted as chaturbhuj, or four-armed, Ganesha holds a garland of holy beads, a lotus, a small axe, and a plate of modak in each hand. Siddhi and Riddhi, his consorts, flank the idol, which also features a third eye on its forehead, resembling that of Lord Shiva’s. A unique feature of this idol is the rightward tilt of Ganesha’s trunk, symbolizing a more demanding path of worship.

The wooden doors of the temple are intricately carved with the Ashtavinayak, the eight manifestations of Ganesha. However, the most spectacular feature is the gold-plated inner roof over the idol, housed in the Gabhara, an octagonal shelter.

The Modern-Day Temple

The present-day structure, designed by architect Sharad Athale, has undergone significant transformation while preserving the original idol. The new six-storied temple boasts a central gold-plated dome topped with a Kalash and 37 smaller gilded domes, with fine marble and pink granite enhancing its grandeur.

Despite the usual throngs of pilgrims, we were fortunate to have a relatively quick entry, allowing us ample time to offer our prayers. After our visit, we indulged in modak and other snacks at the temple complex. Modak, a favourite of Lord Ganesha, is a sweet treat with a filling of freshly grated coconut and jaggery encased in a soft rice flour shell.

The wooden doors of the temple are intricately carved with the Ashtavinayak (the eight manifestations of Ganesha). The most spectacular of the features, however, is the gold-plated inner roof over the idol of Siddhivinayak Ganapati which rests in the Gabhara, which is an octagonal shelter.

Generally, there’s a large number of pilgrims visiting the temple to pay their obeisance and people wait for hours in the queue. But, we were lucky. With the grace of Ganesha, we could easily get inside the temple and stayed quite a while to pray before the God.

Reflection

A trip to Mumbai is incomplete without visiting the magnificent Shree Siddhivinayak Temple. Whether seeking the holy blessings of Lord Ganesha or simply soaking in the spirit of holiness, this temple offers a profound spiritual experience. On this Ganesh Chaturthi, may Lord Ganesha, the Vighnaharta, bestow good health, eternal happiness, and total prosperity upon all.

May Lord Ganesha, the Vighnaharta, provide good health, eternal happiness, and total prosperity to all.

ॐ गं गणपतये नम:।