Seek the Blessings of the Vighnaharta at Siddhivinayak Mandir

With beautiful sunsets, a view to remember, and a hearty ambience, Mumbai’s Marine Drive welcomes all visitors to the city that never sleeps and sets the perfect tone for the magical vibe that you can expect. But it is not all about dreams and stardom and budding aspirations of success; from the historical Gateway of India to the Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai has a lot to offer for all kinds of travellers. But before you embark on an all-encompassing journey through the capital of Maharashtra, why not give your experience the right start; and like every new beginning, the best place to start would be with the most well-known Ganpati Temple in Mumbai.

Humble Beginnings

Mumbai’s Sidhivinayak Temple is more than 200 years old, and its beginnings can be traced back to the year 1801. Deubai Patil was a rich Agri woman, who despite all her money, remained childless. In prayer, she was struck by a thought as she humbly requested that even though she could not bear a child, Bappa should grant the joy progeny to any childless woman who comes and prays to him. Judging by how Siddhivinayak has grown, it seems as though the selfless request and pious intentions actually worked. It was Deubai Patil who commissioned and funded the construction of Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Mandir, which was built by Mr Laxman Vithu Patil and consecrated on the 19^th of November 1801.

Today one of the most iconic landmarks in Mumbai, this famous Ganesh Temple was just 3.6 square meters in size, with thick brick walls, a dome, and a Kalash, and a grilled parapet wall completed the structure. In the 19^th century, an adjoining lake was dug to help with the issue of water scarcity and in 1952, a small shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman was added to accommodate an idol that had been discovered there in the course of road extension works.

It was however in 1990, as tales of blessings spread farther than ever before, that Siddhivinayak underwent a major renovation, and a 3-crore worth project later, the small, 200-year-old mandir had evolved into the iconic Siddhivinayak Mandir that you see today.

The Architecture and the Presiding Deity

At the time of renovation, everything at Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple was changed, except for the deity’s idol. The old temple has now been replaced by a unique six-story structure made of pink granite and marble, with a central dome topped by a gold-plated kalash. 37 small, gilded domes have also been added and three entrances lead inside the complex. Exquisite carvings form the eight manifestations of Lord Ganesh (Ashtavinayak), adorning the wooden doors of the temple exhibit as people enter to behold the idol of Siddhi Vinayak.

Kept as it has been for more than 200 years, the idol at Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple has been carved from a single black stone and shows the Lord in his chaturbhuj form (with four hands), holding a japmala (garland of holy beads), a lotus, an axe, and a plate of his favourite modaks, and a third eye (akin to Lord Shiva) adorns his forehead. Ganesh’s two consorts, Riddhi and Siddhi have also been placed on either side of the idol. A curiosity that may catch your eye is the tilt of Lord Ganesh’s truck, which is towards the right rather than to the left, which is the norm with most idols of Ganpati.

The Significance of the Idol at Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Mandir

The right twist of the trunk is a rare sight and any idol with this feature is always fervently worshipped. The right-sided trunk points towards the Lord’s consort, Siddhi, earning it the name of Siddhi Vinayak, which is also where the temple gets its name. Instead of prosperity, the right tilt of the trunk signifies the attainment of Moksha and for being free of all worldly pursuits and pleasures. As a person with a family and responsibilities cannot be expected to have let go of all pleasures, the Siddhi Vinayak idol can only be found in temples, like Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple.

Siddhivinayak can bring you happiness when worshipped in the proper manner but can wreak destruction if uncared for, just like the sun (Pingala Nadi), which is another significance of this special idol.

Worth a special mention – the first to introduce the option of online darshan, Siddhivinayak Temple ensured that the devout had the chance to pray even during the times when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, by integrating technology into daily rituals.

Siddhivinayak Mandir and Ganesh Chaturthi

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai is one of the most important celebrations that is observed with abundant zest and zeal, spanning a period of at least a week. So, it goes without saying that the city is also home to the most iconic temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh. The Siddhivinayak Temple, located in Prabhadevi, is one of the richest temples in the country and is frequented by everyone, regardless of whether they are from the general populace, whether they are politicians, Bollywood bigwigs, stars, or celebrities.

It is believed that the ‘Vighnaharta’ or ‘destroyer of obstacles’ grants the wishes of anyone who prays here with a pure heart. Once a tiny place of devoted worship, the Siddhivinayak Temple has become a grand structure that anyone makes a point to visit before beginning any new venture, the most notable visitors being well-known Bollywood personalities who seek the Lord’s blessings before their movies are released.

Visiting the Siddhivinayak Ganesh Temple in Mumbai in the New Normal

The history of Siddhivinayak Temple stands testament to the popularity of the destination, which justifies the throngs of visitors the temple sees every day. However, even if one is willing to brave the crowds, just showing up and squeezing in through the devotees is no more an option post COVID. Apart from the facility of online darshan, Siddhivinayak has also re-opened its gates for visitors, but there is a list of guidelines that need to be observed.

While protocols like social distancing, regular sanitisation, and face masks are a norm, the temple has also released the ‘Siddhivinayak Temple’ app for Android and iOS. Facilitating online booking, the Siddhivinayak Temple app offers time slots when devotees can connect for a 5-minute video call with the priest. On getting their name and gotra of the devotee, the priest will begin the puja which the devotee can witness for a while, its later stages being completed offline, and the prasad will be couriered to the devotees.

Siddhivinayak Temple: Online Booking for Visits

Every Thursday at 12:00 PM, devotees can use the Siddhivinayak Temple online darshan app to generate a QR code. To limit the number of devotees inside the temple in an hour to 250, apart from a temperature screening, people will need to show this QR code in order to gain entry. The code can be used to book any slot during the week for a visit.

All the Important Details You Need to Plan Your Visit

From the timings of Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple to all the important tips, here’s all you should know for planning a trip to the most popular Ganesh temple in Mumbai:

Darshan Timings at Siddhivinayak

The timings at Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple are different on most days of the week and different on Tuesday, which is the day of Lord Ganesh:

Wednesday to Monday (5:30 AM to 9:50 PM)

• 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM – Kakad Aarti
• 6:00 AM to 12:15 PM – Shree Darshan
• 12:15 PM to 12:30 PM – Naivedya
• 12:30 PM to 7:30 PM – Shree Darshan
• 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM – Aarti
• 8:00 PM to 9:50 PM – Shree Darshan
• 9:50 PM – Shejaarti and Closing of Temple Gates

Tuesdays (3:15 AM to 9:50 PM)

• 3:15 AM to 4:45 AM – Shree Darshan
• 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM – Kakad Aarti
• 6:00 AM to 12:15 PM – Shree Darshan
• 12:15 PM to 12:30 PM – Naivedya
• 12:30 PM to 7:30 PM – Shree Darshan
• 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM – Aarti
• 8:00 PM to 9:50 PM – Shree Darshan
• 9:50 PM – Shejaarti and Closing of Temple Gates

Best Time to Visit

Located on the seaside, Mumbai is quite humid with easily predictable temperatures. June-July is a great time to book your Mumbai tour package, for not only are Mumbai rains worth witnessing but this is also the time when the soaring summers get some respite. December to February are the winter months, which though not as chilling as other parts of India, may prompt a light sweater for people who come from areas of year-round heat.

Please Remember

• Being one of the most heavily guarded places in the city, Siddhivinayak has high security, so do not carry sharp or metal objects inside the premises.
• No spitting or smoking when you are inside the temple.
• Be vigilant about money transactions and purchases when buying prasad, flowers, pictures of Lord Ganesh, etc.
• Avoid bringing anything valuable with you when you visit the temple.
• Taking photos inside Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple is prohibited.

Whether you wish to pray for blessings or you are a devotee or even if you just want to witness the phenomenon of the many believers, the Siddhivinayak Mandir in Mumbai is sure to leave you in awe.