Vakra-Tunndda Maha-Kaaya Suurya-Kotti Samaprabha |
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa ||
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa ||
(Meaning : O Lord Ganesha, of Curved Trunk, Large Body, and with the Brilliance of a Million Suns, Please Make All my Works Free of Obstacles, Always.)
With the firm belief that nothing new should ever be embarked upon without invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesh, the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple at Prabhadevi is naturally the most popular places of worship in Mumbai.
Situated at Prabhadevi in Mumbai, the sanctuary's idol of Shree Siddhivinayak was carved out of a single dark stone with the trunk on the right. This is viewed as a rather unusual appearance of Lord Ganesh. The upper right and left hands hold a lotus and a axe respectively while the lower right and left hands hold a rosary (japmala) and a dish loaded with "modak" respectively. On the forehead of the deity is an eye, which practically resembles the third eye of Lord Shiva. On both sides of the Lord Ganesh icon are set one symbol each of goddesses Riddhi and Siddhi and it is a result of these two divinities alongside that of Lord Ganesh that the sanctuary is known as the Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple. These goddesses signify holiness, success, wealth and prosperity.
The wooden ways to the sanctum are carved with pictures of the Ashtavinayak (the eight signs of Ganesha in Maharashtra). The internal roof of the sanctum is plated with gold. Blessed on November 19, 1801, the first structure of the Siddhivinayak Temple was a little 3.6 meter x 3.6 meter square block structure with an arch formed block 'shikhara'. The temple was built by a contractor called Laxman Vithu Patil and was funded by Mrs. Deubai Patil so that Lord Ganesh should grant children to barren women.
It is believed that the two big silver mice statues in the main hall grant the wishes of the faithful if they whisper their requests into their ears.
Interestingly, the temple has adopted modern eco-friendly techniques of rainwater harvesting and is self-sufficient in energy with its own solar unit. The day to day flower waste is reused as fertilizer. At the temple's entrance are many shops that offerflowers, fruits and sweets that are bought as offerings to the god. Small packets of "prasad" containing "laddus" and coconut "barfi" are available at the temple's outlet within the complex.
Tuesday is a special day to visit the temple.
There is a PRO office just inside the main gate where NRIs and foreigners will get assistance and guidance.
Address: Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple, Prabhadevi - Mumbai, India
GETTING THERE...
By air
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, to Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple, Prabhadevi is situated approximately 13 Kms. and about 8 Kms. from the domestic airport - Santacruz.
By road
Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple is accessible by road.
Local public road transport (BEST Bus & taxis) to the temple is easily available.
By rail
The closest railway station is the Dadar Station . It is approximately 1 Kms. away.