The Shri Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Ganesha. It is located in Prabhadevi neighbourhood of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It was originally built by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil on 19 November 1801. It is one of the most popular Hindu temples in Mumbai.
The temple has a small mandap with the shrine for Siddhi Vinayak (“Ganesha who grants your wish”). The wooden doors to the sanctum are carved with images of the Ashtavinayak (the eight manifestations of Ganesha in Maharashtra). The inner roof of the sanctum is plated with gold, and the central statue is of Ganesha. In the periphery, there is a Hanuman temple as well. The exterior of the temple consists of a dome which is lit up with multiple colors in the evenings and they keep changing every few hours. The statue of Shri Ganesha is located exactly under the dome. The pillars are carved out with the images of ashtvinayak.
Donations and litigation
The Siddhivinayak temple receives donations of around ₹100 million (US$1.3 million) – ₹150 million (US$1.9 million) every year, which makes it Mumbai city’s richest temple trust. In 2004, the Siddhivinayak Ganpati Temple Trust, which operates the temple, was accused of mismanaging donations. Consequently, the Bombay High Court appointed a committee headed by retired judge V P Tipnis to scrutinize the trust’s donations and probe the allegations. The committee reported that “The most shocking aspect of the matter is that there is no method or principle followed for particular institutions. The only criteria for selection were recommendation or reference by trustees or the minister or a political heavy-weight, generally belonging to the ruling party”.
In 2006 the Bombay High Court directed the state government, the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust and the petitioner Keval Semlani to prepare “suggestive guidelines” for using the temple’s trust funds
The Dignity and Importance of Lord Shree Siddhivinayak
Shree Siddhivinayak Ganpati temple of Prabhadevi Mumbai is an ancient famous shrine. This was constructed around the core shrine on 19th November 1801. Those days the locality had ample of shrubbery and innumerous coconut trees. The Shree Siddhivinayak idol comprises of black stone and is 2.5 ft. high from its base and approx. 2 ft. wide. The idol having Trunk tilted on the right, Lotus in the upper right arm, Parshu – the small hatchet in the second arm, Lower right arm is having a Japmala – the chain of holy beads, while left arm is having Ladoo Vati – the bowl having favourite sweet-delicacy of Lord Ganesh. The idol is three – eyed like Lord Shiva and is carved on the black stone housing having Mooshak – the mouse carrier of the Lord. The Lord Shree is seating on the throne base in Padmaasan – the lotus posture. Lord Ganesh more popularly called Ganapati- meaning the Chief of the Ganas is assuming Nar-KunjaRoop – the elephant headed form, and being accompanied by Riddhi and Siddhi – the Goddesses of affluency and prosperity is called Mahaganpati. To make a special mention, the idol is Sanjeevan meaning resuscitative. Shree Siddhivinayak holds a serpent like Yadnyopavit – the sacred thread in the neck. The goddesses – Riddhi and Siddhi of affluency and prosperity are standing by his sides. The whole idols is coated with saffron coloured enamels and adorning the golden crown. The Goddesses – Riddhi, Siddhi are wearing green sarees.
Shree Siddhivinayak, Glorious and Wishful thinking
Whenever Shree RamKrishna Jambhekar Maharaj, living in the Prabhadevi area of Mumbai visited Akkalkot for darshan of Shree Swami Samarth, Shree Swami Samarth came out of his Samadhi & greeted him. There used to be a spiritual discussion between the two for hours, Under the banyan tree there. just as a mother waits anxiously for her child, & she rejoices when she meets her child, Shree Swami Samarth had affection for Shree ram Krishna Jambhekar Maharaj. One such night, when Shree Jambhekar Maharaj was sitting with Shree swami Samarth, Shree swami Samarth asked him, “What do you wish to have, Ramakrishna?” At that time Shree Jambhekar asking Shree Swami for nothing for himself said to Swami Samarth, “If you give something, please give glory to my Shree Siddhivinayaka!” On hearing this, Shree Swami Samarth was delighted. The idea of achieving goals in one wish that on giving glory to Shree Siddhivinayak the flow of the devotees will continue to bless the devotes for ever! He blessed Shree Jambhekar with divine arms, took him closer with love and said, “What a wisdom you have! I am lucky to have such a discaple. When you return to Mumbai, visit your Shree siddhivinayaka of Prabhadevi. There you plant a sapling of Mandara. As you Mandar will grow inch by inch, so will Shree siddhivinayak grow. On the day when the Mandar will flourish, Shree siddhivinayak will be flourishing with glory. Shree Swami Samarth said. ‘Tathastu’ & disappeared towards the banyan tree. After a few moments Shree Jambhekar Maharaj came to his mind. Four days after when Maharaj returned to Prabhadevi, he planted a sapling of Mandar on the then coming Tuesday in the temple of Shree siddhivinayak. Joining hands at the place, he prayed, Shree Swami Samartha, I have done my work. You pleace fulfill my wish.” Saying this, Shree Jambhekar Maharaj stood before Shree Shree Siddhivinayaka for a few moments & said “ O Ganaraya, may the word given by Shri Swami Samarth come true and may you attain glory in this world. By the blaze of that glory, may thousands of devotees get attracted towards you. May the wishes of all the devotees come true.
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