Siddhivinayak Temple

Shree Siddhivinayak temple which is located at Prabhadevi is very famous and favourite as Desire Fulfilling Shrine of Greater Mumbai. This ancient shrine is a place of worship for finding solace for its devotees and the pilgrims all over the globe. It was on the Kartik Shuddha Chaturdashi of the Shalivahan Samvatsar 1723 as per the Hindu calendar year (A.D. 1801) that it’s first renovation was done, performing all rituals as per the Hindu religious commandment. It appears from available sources of information and it is evident that the shrine exists here since last 200 years. Identical idol comprised of marble is also existing in the Banganga complex located in South Mumbai. It seems that both these idols are carved by a single artisan. Considering that the old Banganga shrine complex is more than 500 years old,It can be said that the structure of the shrine in the Prabhadevi temple  must have been about 500 years old.

The regular temple Pooja Archa and the consequential arrangements came into practice in ( A.D. 1936) by a householder namely Shree Govindrao Phatak as per the instructions of the honorable Saint Shri Jambhekar Maharaj. The former handled this responsibility sincerely besides his job in a local mill. Later, due to growing age and completion of the term, he had to retire from the service on 31st December1973. During this period, the trustee management committee was formed. The temple management was vested to Govt. Trustee officers to oversee the operations. They appointed the requisite staff including Pujaris – the temple priests, to perform the Pooja Archa & to aid the Committee. During this period, the year 1954, a lake existing in the total acreage of land available to the temple was leveled off and the developed land was leased to Shree Siddhivinayak Co-operative Housing Society. It is evident that this was done primarily to supplement the meagre income available to temple those days & for fund generation to meet the expenses of the temple. Popularity of the shrine was on the increase day by day. However, some controversial writing related to the trustee management was published in the local newspaper. Some judicial disputes arised. Growing income of the shrine and the money thus raised was not being utilized appropriately. The shrine is a place of devotion, dedication & extreme faith for the devotees. The then Government spotted the fact that such disputes not only shattered its reverence but also had an impact on foot falls in the holy shrine. Therefore, the Government formed new trustee management body and decided to formulate an independent act to manage the shrine operations through a single committee. Accordingly, it was transformed into an independent Act, namely Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust (Prabhadevi) act, 1980 under the provisions of which, the Government appointed a new committee comprising of President, Treasurer and 7 to maximum of 9 members. The executive officers of this committee act as ex-officio secretaries.

Old structure of the shrine was very small and day by day it was becoming inconvenient for the growing number of devotees to seek Shree’s Darshan i.e. the blissful sight of the Lord Ganesh. Maximum of 15-20 devotees could be accommodated to seek Darshan. With an objective to provide the facilities of easy and fast Darshan, satisfaction of services and devotion including facilities for offerings and various ritual procedures, it was planned to expand and renovate the existing shrine structure. On an auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya- Vaishakh Shuddha Tritiya of Samvatsar 1916 i.e. on the 27th April 1990, Foundation Stone for the proposed project was laid by the then Chief Minister Shri Sharad chandraji Pawar. The present magnificent and palatial building was finally completed after overcoming several difficulties. Kalas (Dome) Pratishthapana of the Vaastu was performed and celebrated on a sublimate grand scale. This event was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister Shri Sharad chandraji Pawar. The rituals of Kalas Pratishthapana – the Apex Induction ceremony were performed by reverent Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya Dakshinamnay Shri Sharadapeeth Shrungeri Shri Shri 1008 Bharatiteertha Mahaswamiji on the auspicious day of Jyeshth Shuddha Chaturthi of samvatsar 1916, i.e. Monday, the 13th June 1994. This day is recorded in the 200 years history of the shrine as the most memorable day.

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.

The Siddhivinayak Temple

On Tuesdays, Sankasht Chaturthi and Aangarak Chaturthi days, which are auspicious days, lakhs of devotees visit the temple to seek Darshan and fulfil their wishes. The Temple is a five storeyed structure having central coreshrineen caved with the walls and all possible care is taken to provide open space for the devotees. New Building of the temple was constructed on 13th June 1994. While constructing, the old zenith was removed and replaced with the new gold-coated-one weighing 1500 kg., having 12 ft. height. The ground floor has 13-14 ft. tall spacious pavilion for devotees to seek the auspicious distance Darshan of the Lord “Shree” and to perform Satyanarayan Pooja, Ganesh Yaag – the pooja with material offering/objects of worship via a sanctified fire pit in devout to the Lord Ganesh. First Floor is used as a mezzanine floor for performing Pooja as well as for seeking the auspicious darshan by the devotees. Second floor is used as kitchen for preparation of Naivedya – the sacred foodstuff offering to be blessed by the Lord Ganesh and also as a rest room for the Brahmin priest community. Sanctum – the Lord and second floor kitchen are linked by an elevator. The building is safeguarded by a network of CCTV cameras. Third floor has Divisions for Chairman, Treasurer, Trustee and Executive Officers of the Trust including Board room, Committee Hall, Reception & Telephone Operators Section. Fourth floor has Executive Officer Cabin, Administrative Deparment having section for Accountancy, cash counting, ornamental valuation and lounge equipped with modern facilities including section for Dy. Executive officer, Finance & Account Officer. On the 5th floor, there is Mahaprasad Department.

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.

Today’s glorious and wish-fulfilling Shree Siddhivinayak gives realization of this event every moment.

Trust Chores Management

Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust is a Government Controlled Trust and functioning of the Trust is governed by an Act of the State Government namely “Shree Siddhivinayak Ganpati Temple (Trust) Act, 1980”. The Trust has got tax exemption under section 10 (23C) (V) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

The Trust funds are mainly utilized for the following purpose:

• To provide facilities to the devotees.
• Maintenance of temple property and trustees, administration management.
• Conducting daily poojas, ceremonies and festivals.
• Conducting medical assistance to poor, needy patients as well as affordable dialysis procedures
• Hospital, Educational Financing.

Help & Financial AID from SVGT Trust during Natural Calamities

• From time to time, the Trust provides financial assistance to the families of the victims of natural disasters such as earthquakes, droughts, floods and terrorist attacks.
• The trust provides medical services to state level institutions and hospitals.
• Educational scholarships are organized for the children of suicidal farmers in the state.

Trust’s Social and Public Projects

• Organ awaeners campaign for the service to mankind

One can live even after death by donation of organs. The mortal remains of a single person can be a ray of hope for many in need. The Trust organized organ donation camp in the Temple premises which met with overwhelming response.

Trust Educational Schemes

• Library / Study Room

Lord Shri Ganesh is the deity of knowledge, science and education. With a view to this, management decided to start a library equipped with all facilities. Accordingly, a well equipped library having around 8,000 books on various subjects like Religious, Social, Educational, Historical, Scientific, Business Management, Administration, Law, Computer Science etc. has started in the new building in temple premises. It was inaugurated on the auspicious day of Vaishakh Shuddha Tritiya i.e. Saturday 20th April 1996 by most talented writer and great thinker Shri. Y. D. Phadke in the presence of famous writer, poet and speaker Shri. Ram Shevalkar.

Apart from Library, one Study Room has also been started. Approximately 600 to 700 students take advantage of study room. Trust has also started Digital Library, based on Digital technology. It was inaugurated on 30th May 2007 by honourable Finance Minister, Govt. of Maharashtra Shri Jayantrao Patil. This digital library has books on various subjects like Medical, different Engineering branches, Law, Supreme Court & high court judgements, books and periodicals on latest research etc. made accessible through internet.

On the fourth floor of new building the temple has established a latest digital library in co-ordination with Rolta Foundation. The digital library comprises 30 PCs. The two storey Municipal library situated in the Raheja Express building is taken on lease from BMC. A well-equipped library is established in the said building and it is also proposed to start a Guidance center for UPSC & MPSC aspirants.

The Various Social, Medical & Public utility activities implemented Nyas are are follows :

• Finacial assistance to the patients

Maximum of ₹25,000/- financial assistance is given to the needy and patients from all over the Maharashtra for the Medical treatment for disease such as Cancer, diseases related to Brain, Heart Disorders, Kidney failure, Spine Disease, Serious Accident, etc. And a financial assistance of ₹1,00,000/- is given for Cochlear Implant operation of children. The trust makes a provision of  ₹ 14 to 16 crore approximately, every year to give financial assistance to the medical patients. The number of patients applying for financial assistance through this scheme is scheme is increasing day by day.

• Dialysis Center

From 14th February 2014 a Waiting Room, Educational and Healthcare center have been set up and started in a grand five storeyed Building near the temple of the Trust and with a view to provide medical assistance to the increasing number of dialysis patients & also to the poor patients, at subsidised rates the Trust has started Siddhivinayak Dialysis Center having 21 cots capacity running in two shifts. With 20 patients in each shift, 40 patients are given dialysis treatment on each day.

• As per the Government Resumption dated 21^st December, 2015, the Trust provides financial assistance to the children of the farmers in the State who have committed suicide.
• Financial assistance to the Government and Semi-Government hospitals – The Trust has sanctioned financial assistance to the Government and Semi Government hospitals in the State, for the purchase of equipment with basic facilities.
• Book Bank scheme:

The Trust has been implementing a book bank scheme for many years for the economically poor and needy Under this scheme, text books are provided free of cost to students of 11th to  15th standard in Arts, Commerce and Science from all over Maharashtra.

• Auction of Gold Jewellery

A variety of Gold jewellery articles like lockets, chains, necklaces, garlands, canopies, modaks, Ganesh Idols, gold bars & coins ect. are routinely donated at the Lord’s feet by devotees. These are publicly auctioned & sold. For the convenience of bidders, auction are held on public holidays, Sundays or on auspicious days like Sankashti Chaturthi, Gudipadwa (the Hindu New Year), Akshay Tritiya etc. Being donated article they have exceptional value & status. This fund has been used for the social & public welfare activities implemented by the Trust.

Availability of Computerized services for devotees

The Trust has a separate website which provides information of the history of the temple, daily worship and its schedule, ‘Shri’ photo gallery, various activities of the Trust throughout the year, information about various festivals celebrated in the temple etc. Similarly, the facility of online registration of various pujas performed by the trust has also been provided. The following types of Poojas are performed for the devotees in the presence and absence of the devotees in Shree Siddhivinayak temple.

An online system has been set up at Siddhivinayak website for devotees to visit Covid pathogen.