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Siddhivinayak sends Ganesh idol to Silicon Valley
This Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees of the Lord in Silicon Valley will have something new to celebrate.
For, the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust, here in Mumbai, has sent a three-foot high idol of the Lord to San Jose, with the help of a few devotees to help establish a Ganesha Temple there.
From September 11 onwards, the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, the San Jose Ganesh Temple will be open to hundreds of devotees settled in Silicon Valley.
Work on the idol - which has been carved out of one single piece of marble by artists from Jaipur - started a few months ago after Praveen Naik, a trustee of Siddhivinayak was on a visit to the city, was requested for a Ganesha idol.
The request had been made by Sandip Deokule, an office bearer of the Brihanmaharashtra Mandal, a community organisation working for the people from Maharashtra in America.
Naik said funds were raised for the idol with help of donations from devotees in Mumbai.
Those based in San Jose wanted that the idol should come with the help of Siddhivinayak, as the temple holds special significance for them.
Mangesh Shinde, executive officer of the trust, added that the trust ensured that the idol reached its destination on time for Ganesh Chaturthi.
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| The idol is 3-ft tall | City devotees donated money for it |
Siddhivinayak to join in Ganpati festivities
The most iconic Ganesh temple in the city has not been an active contributor to the 10-day Ganpati celebrations so far, but that will change this season. For the first time, the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust has decided to sponsor some services and attractions for the festival, and hopes to participate in a bigger way next year.
“We will organise food and snacks for the National Cadet Corps (NCC) volunteers and lifeguards who are on duty at the beaches on Gauri visarjan and the final immersion day,” said Subhash Mayekar, chairman of the Trust.
Earlier, this service has been provided by various non-profit organisations.
Siddhivinayak will also distribute over 5,000 Ganpati flags to big mandals across the city.
“These are flags carrying the symbol of the mushak (the mouse that the elephant-god rides on), and are supposed to be hoisted above every pandal,” said Mayekar. The trust already has 2,000 flags ready to be distributed, and will have the others stitched soon.
On the last day of the festival, the trust will set up a small Ganesh souvenir stall at Girgaum Chowpatty, stocked with miniature idols for foreign visitors coming to see the immersion.
“This is Mumbai’s biggest festival put together with the efforts of so many organisations and civic departments. I felt that our biggest Ganesh temple must participate as well,” said Naresh Dahibawkar, president of the Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, the festival’s central co-ordinating committee.
This is the first time that Siddhivinayak has been approached by the Samiti for help, and the Temple jumped at the opportunity. “Next year we will do something more,” said Mayekar.
Many Ganpati mandals in the city have also marked their appreciation for the temple’s initiative.
“Siddhivinayak is a temple that so many of us visit every Tuesday. Their involvement with the festival is very good news,” said Namdev Patkar, a member of the Abhyudaya Nagar Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal at Kalachowkie.
Source: Hindustan Times
Lord Siddhivinayaka, Siddhatek
Sthito Bhimatire Jagadvan Kamen Harina |
Vijetu Daityo Tachuti Malbhavou Kaitabh Madhu ||
Mahavighnarten Prakhar Tapasa Sevitpado |
Ganesh Siddhisho Girivarvapu Panchajanak ||
Meaning
On the greatest mountain Siddhatek which is located on the bank of river Bhima & surrounded by forest and trees. God Vishnu did hard penance when he was in great difficulty. He got a boon from Lord Siddheshwar Ganesh who is a father or creator of `Panchamahabhuta’ (the five elements namely Earth, Water, Fire, Air & Sky) and killed the two demons Madhu & Kaitabha. Oh mighty God my salute to you. Let me offer my humble services to you.Lord Siddhivinayaka, the third Ganesh of Ashtavinayaka has trunk towards right and has authority to complete the work. At this place God Vishnu got Siddhi (divine illumination). The God is awaked or potent. Sage Moraya Gosavi from Chinchwad and Sage Narayan Maharaj from Kodgaon got siddhi from the Lord Siddhivinayaka at this place. Shri Haripant Phadke a general from Peshwa got back his post when he did penance continuously for 21 days . Stories about Shree SidhatekLong ago God Brahma thought of creating the nature. For that he did ceaseless reiteration of single alphabet OM. Lord Ganesha was delighted with the penance and gave him a boon that he will fulfil his wish of creating the nature. When God Brahma was creating the nature, God Vishnu felt asleep. Demons Madhu & Kaitabh immerge from God Vishnu’s ears (means from his irascible) they started harassing all gods, goddesses and sages. God Brahma realise that only God Vishnu will be able to kill the two demons. God Brahma along with other gods requested God Vishnu to kill the demons. God Vishnu fought with them for 5 thousand years, but he could not succeed in ending their lives. Then God Vishnu realise that he won’t succeed unless he worships Lord Ganesha. God Shiva and goddess Parvati gave him `Ganesh Mantra’ and asked him to go to Siddhi Shetra(place) for worshipping the mantra. God Vishnu came to Siddhi Shetra. where he found self-existent right trunk Ganesh idol. God Vishnu installed the idol at Siddhi Shetra and called the Ganesh as `Siddhi Vinayak’. This Siddhi Shetra later became famous by Siddhatek.God Brahma got the energy to create the nature with the boon. With the Lords blessing God Brahma got two daughters named Siddhi & Buddhi. God Brahma worshipped Lord Ganesha and requested to accept his daughters as Lord Ganesha’s wife.Lord Vishnu, sage Vyas, sage Bhrushundi, sage Moraya Gosavi, sage Narayan Maharaj were stayed at this holy place. This place is one of the twenty-one places of Lord Ganesha, which mentioned in the purana (mythology). This place is second in Ashtavinayaka.The Temple At Siddhatek Lord Ganesha gave darshan to God Vishnu (Lord Ganesh himself appeared in front of God Vishnu). God Vishnu built a temple over there with installing Ganesha idol. The temple has four big entrances. Later on this temple was destroyed by wear and tear. Years later a cowherd had a divine appearance of God and saw this temple. That cowherd used to wash the idol by the water of river Bhima and used to give offering and used to worship. Soon everyone in the vicinity came to know about the temple. A Brahmin used to maintain the Lord Ganesha and temple. During the Peshwa Rule, the existing temple was built. The idols facing towards North. The nave is about 15 feet by 10 feet. The idol has beautiful gaily-decorated frame, on which sun, moon & eagle were carved. Also snake is decorated at the middle of the frame. Near decorate frame one can see the idols of Jay & Vijay (the dwarpals/watch men). The sleeping room(shej-ghar) of the God is in the nave. At the main entrance there is a Nagar-khana where one can hear the sound of holy drums in the morning and afternoon.Idol Lord Siddhi Vinayaka is having trunk towards right side. Because of this one has to be very particular about the holiness of the idol. After taking bath, only few selected people/priests can worship the idol by touching it. No one else is even allowed to enter the main nave. The height of the idol is 3 feet and width is 2 feet. Near the temple there are small temples of other gods like God Shiva, Goddess Sitala, God Vishnu. The temple opens at dawn. At that time priest does prayers and does holy bathing of the idol. After night prayers temple closes and Lord Siddhi Vinayaka sleeps in shej-ghar. In the morning again priest worship the idol(Shodopachari puja), in the evening priest worship idol.Programs and Festivals Temple observes big festivals in the month of Magh and Bhadrapada, Pratipada (1st day of the month) to Panchami(5th day of the month) many ornaments is put on the idol during these festivals.
How to reach Sidhatek
1)By rail Pune-Sholapur, one can get down at Daund station to reach the Siddhatek . Pune-Daund is 78 km. The way is Pune-Hadapsar-Loni-Vawat-Chaufula-Patas-Daud-Siddhatek. Daud-Siddhatek distance is 18 km. One can got to Daud-Shirapur-Bhima river. One can cross the river with a boat. Private buses, cars are allowed to go till the bank of river Bhima. After passing the river one has to walk some distance to reach temple. 2)By road one can go from Daud-Kasti-Padgaon to Siddhatek. 3)State transport bus service available between Shivaji Nagar(Pune) to Siddhatek.
Mumbai’s Shri Siddhivinayak Temple
The old temple was consecrated on Thursday, 19th November 1801. According to our Hindu Calendar it falls on Kartik Shudha Chaturdashi, Shake 1723 in “Durmukh Sanvatsar”. It’s build-up area was 3.60mtr. x 3.60mtr. square. It was ground floor structure (see picture no.1). It had 450mm thick brick walls and old type dome, again of brick with a Kalash above. Around the dome, a parapet walls with grills was structure of the temple. The floor level of the temple and road level were also same.
This temple is on the corner of Kakasaheb Gadgil Marg and S.K.Bole Marg in Prabhadevi, which is facing heavy vehicular traffic It was built by a professional contractor, Late Mr.Laxman Vithu Patil as per the financial support and instructions of Late Mrs.Deubai Patil, who was a rich lady of Agri Samaj from Matunga. Although she was rich enough, she had no child.
The idea of the construction of the temple struck to Late Deubai during the prayer time, she humbly requested Lord Ganesh and said, “Although I cannot have a child, let other ladies who are childless get the pleasure of child on visiting the temple and praying you”. Looking at successful subsequent history of the temple, it appears like the Lord Ganesh nodded to this humble request and pious thoughts and deeds of Late Deubai Patil. It is, therefore, this Siddhivinayak is famous for it and known as “Navasacha Ganapati” or “Navasala Pavanara Ganapati” in Marathi (Ganapati bestows whenever humbly genuinely prayed a wish) among devotees.
The idol of Shree Siddhivinayak was carved out of a single black stone and is 2’6” (750mm) high and 2′ (600mm) wide with the trunk on the right. This is rather unusual appearance of Lord Ganesh. The upper right and left hands hold a lotus and an axe respectively while the lower right and left hands hold a rosary (japmala) and bowl full of “Modak” respectively. As it resembles the sacred thread, a snake appears on the left shoulder to right side belly. On the forehead of deity is an eye, which almost looks like the third eye of Lord Shiva. On both sides of the Lord Ganesh idol, are placed one idol each of Riddhi and Siddhi goddesses who are appearing like peeping out of the Ganesh idol from behind. Because of these two deities along with Lord Ganesh, this temple is known as the Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple. These goddesses signify sanctity, success, wealth and prosperity.
Around 125 years ago, Shri Akkalkot Swami Samarth‘s great disciple, Late Ramakrishna Jambhekar Maharaj, who was also ardent devotee of Lord Ganesh and Gayatri Mantra was blessed with Assyssinian ( Siddhi ). One day Swami Samarth asked Shri Jambhekar to bring divine idols. Out of the idols, except two idols, Swami Samarth told to bury in the front courtyard of the house of Swami Samarth’s another disciple Shri Cholappa, where Swami Samarth used to temporarily reside. Shri Jambhekar was also told to inhume remaining two idols in front of Lord Ganesh that he usually worshipped. During his attendance with Swami Samarth, Shri Jambhekar foretold that a Mandaar tree would grow on the place after 21 years, Swayambhu ( Swayambhu ) Ganesh would appear on the sacred place. From that onward people’s devotion would grow in leaps and beyond.
After few years, Jambhekar Maharaj whose Math is near sea-shore at Dadar, Mumbai, asked Late Priest Govind Chintaman Phatak to look after, perform regular religious pooja etc. of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple. The predecessor of Priest Phatak, there was Late Namdev Kelkar performing priest-wood job in the temple.
From the available information and records, the land of the temple complex was around 2550 sq.mtrs. There was a lake towards eastern and southern side of temple admeasuring approx. 30 x 40 sq.mtrs. This lake was built by Nardulla in early 19th century, to overcome the scarcity of the water, faced by the area. The lake was, later on, filled up, and now it is playground and a part of Kakasaheb Gadgil Marg.
There was also a rest house, sought of Dharmashala and a pair of beautiful 3.6 in high, stone masonry “Deepmalas”. There was also a dwelling unit for the owner of this complex. In the earlier days when there were not many structures of residential and commercial type in its neighborhood area. The devotees in large numbers started visiting the temple only after 1952 and the long standing Q’s were seen in 1965 onwards.
Since the owner had divided the original plot and subleased it to different parties and naturally the space available around this old temple reduced and became quite small. After 1975, the number of devotees visiting the temple started growing by real sense of Geometrical Progression. It became difficult to enter the temple or even to have “Darshan” of Lord Ganesh, the devotees were finding it quite troublesome to enter through the two small doors
