Siddhivinayak Temple Siddhatek- The only right trunk Ashtavinayak Ganpati

Siddhivinayak Ganapati at Siddhatek is famous as the one who gives siddhi (success or accomplishments or super – natural powers). The temple is one of the Ashtavinayaka, the eight revered shrines of Ganesha in the Indian state of Maharashtra and the only Ashtavinayaka shrine in Ahmednagar district. The Siddhivinayak temple Siddhatek is located on the bank of Bhima river and falls under Karjat taluka of Ahmadnagar district. The southern bank of Bhima river is considered as pure and holy. It is said that even if the river overflows the sound of the water is not heard in this region.

About Siddhivinayak Temple Siddhatek

Though Siddhatek is prescribed to the second temple to be visited in the Ashtavinayak circuit after the foremost Morgaon, pilgrims often visit it third after Morgaon and Theur, as it is a more convenient route. During our Ashtavinayak tour we visited Siddhatek as our last Ashtavinayaka before completing our tour by again visiting Morgaon.

Out of all eight Ashtavinayak this is the only Ashtavinayaka Ganesha whose trunk is turned to the right. Usually, the trunk of Ganesha is depicted turned to his left. It is believed that the right-trunked Ganesha is very powerful, but difficult to please.

The temple and the deity

The temple is on a hillock, surrounded by thick foliage of trees and is located approximately 1 km from the core Siddhatek village. On reaching Siddhatek, like all other Ashtavinayak temples we saw many shops selling garlands, flowers, different idols of god, books and so on. There are some ten steps at the entry gate. Once you enter from the main gate you enter in a sabha-mandala (assembly hall) which is added recently to the temple. This sabha-mandala leds to an older subha-mandala of black stone. The temple is constructed in black stone and faces north.

The temple has sabha-mandapa (assembly hall) of black stone and another sabha-mandapa, which is a later addition. The threshold of the main shrine has a small demonic head sculpture. The temple also has a Nagarkhana. The garbhagriha (sanctum) is 15 ft high and 10 ft wide. It has the Jaya-Vijaya (the gatekeepers of Vishnu’s abode) brass sculptures flanking the central icon of Siddhivinayaka. It has a dome-shaped stone ceiling.

Like all Ashtavinayaka shrines, the Ganesha idol is believed to be svayambhu (self-existent). The idol of Siddhi-Vinayaka is seated cross-legged with his consort Siddhi seated nearby, though often she is hidden with flower garlands and the sindoor paste that covers the idol. The idol is sheathed in brass and with its trunk turned to the right. The sanctum also has a Shiva-panchayatana (Shiva surrounded by Ganesha, Vishnu, the Goddess and the Sun-god Surya) and a shrine to goddess Shivai.

It is said that the original temple is believed to be built by Vishnu. However, with the passage of time, the temple got destroyed. Later, a cowherd is believed to have had a vision of the ancient temple and found the icon of Siddhi-vinayaka. The cowherd worshipped the deity and soon others came to know of the shrine. The present temple was built in the late 18th century by Ahilyabai Holkar.

We wanted to perform Pradakshina (Circumambulation) but they way for doing so was blocked. So one of the pundits in the temple told us that devotees often perform pradakshina of the hillock seven times, even though there is no paved road and the path passes through thorny shrubs.

The tale of Siddhivinayak Temple Siddhatek

According to the Mudgala Purana (a Hindu religious text dedicated to the deity Ganesha) while Lord Brahma was busy creating universe, lord Vishnu was sleeping in yoganidra (a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping). It was then that two demons Madhu and Kaitabha rose from the dirt in Vishnu’s ear. The demons started disturbing Brahma’s process of creation, thereby compelling Lord Vishnu to awake.

Vishnu started a battle with the two demons, but was not able to defeat them. So lord Vishnu asks the lord Shiva the reason for this. Lord Shiva reminded lord Vishnu that he had forgotten to invoke lord Ganesha (the god of beginning and obstacle removal) before the fight. Therefore, lord Vishnu performed penance at Siddhatek and chanted the mantra “Om Ganesha Namath” to pleased lord Ganesha.

Pleased by the penance lord Ganesha bestows his blessings and various siddhis (“powers”) on Vishnu. Latter, lord Vishnu returns to his fight with the two demons and slayed the two demons. Since lord Vishnu acquired siddhis at this place, the place became famous as Siddhatek and the Ganesha became know as Shiddhivinayak.

Insider tips:

1. How to reach
   1. By bus: There are frequent state transport buses for Siddhatek from Pune Shivajinagar bus depo. One can also take bus from Pune Swargate bus depo which goes to Daund via the karmala route. This bus drops at the main gate of Siddhatek.
   2. By train: By rail one can get down at Daund railway station. From Daund one can easily get bus to reach the Siddhatek.
   3. By air: Pune airport is the nearest airport to reach Siddhatek. From Pune airport one can take the state transport buses or hire a taxi for Siddhatek.
2. Best time to visit: Festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Jayanti are the best time to visit Shri Siddhivinayaka temple Siddhatek. The palkhi of Ganesha is taken during these festivals. A festival and fair is also held on Vijayadashami and Somavati Amavasya. However, Siddhatek is overly crowded during this time. So if you don’t like crowd then you can visit Shri Siddhivinayaka Ganpati temple, Siddhatek anytime.
3. Distance to other Ashtavinayak temples: 
   1. Shri Siddhivinayaka temple Siddhatek to Chintamani Temple, Theur – 83 k.m via NH65 (approximately 2 hour 10 mins)
   2. Shri Siddhivinayaka temple Siddhatek to Mayureshwar Ganpati temple, Morgaon – 58 k.m via MH SH 67 (approximately 1 hour 52 mins)
   3. Shri Siddhivinayaka temple Siddhatek to Mahaganapati temple, Ranjangaon – 93 k.m via MH SH 50 (approximately 2 hour 20 mins)
   4. Shri Siddhivinayaka temple Siddhatek to Vigneshwara temple, Ozar – 170 k.m via MH SH 50 (approximately 4 hours) 
   5. Shri Siddhivinayaka Ganpati temple, Siddhatek to Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri – 180 k.m. Vis MH SH 50 and NH 61 (approximately 4 hours)
   6. Shri Siddhivinayaka temple Siddhatek to Varad Vinayak Temple, Mahad – 215 k.m. via Bengaluru – Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Expy (approximately 5 hours 10 mins)
   7. Shri Siddhivinayaka temple Siddhatek to Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali – 254 k.m. via Bengaluru – Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Expy (approximately 6 hours 15 mins)
4. Near by attraction: Along with Jejuri there are three nearby tourist destinations you can visit. 
   1. The Moreshwar temple of Lord Ganesha is about 58 k.m from Siddhatek in the Moregaon Village. It happens to be the first Ganesha smong the Ashta Vinayak and hence is a popular pilgrimage site. Here, is the link to my blog on Morgaon Asthavinayak. https://inmyi.com/travel/morgaon-mayureshwar-ganpati-temple-the-1st-and-most-important-ashtavinayak
   2.  Jejuri – The golden temple of Maharashtra is about 75 k.m from Siddhatek. Jejuri is a place of religious and historic importance and is famous for it Khandoba temple. Lord Khandoba is considered as kuladevat (family god) of entire Maharashtra and hence Jejuri is a popular pilgrimage site. Don’t forget to check my blog post on Jejuri. https://inmyi.com/travel/jejuri-golden-temple-of-maharashtra
   3. Bhigwan famous for migratory bird watching especially flamingoes is around 29 k.m from Siddhatek. Don’t forget to check my blog on Bhigwan. 
      https://inmyi.com/travel/bhigwan-a-paradise-of-migratory-birds https://inmyi.com/image-gallery/birds-at-bhigwan
   4. Mayureshwar Wildlife sanctuary – the smallest wildlife sanctuary is around 50 k.m from Siddhatek. Mentioned below is the link to this tiny sanctuary which is full of surprises. https://inmyi.com/travel/mayureshwar-wildlife-sanctuary

In Nutshell

Siddhivinayak Ganapati at Siddhatek is famous as the one who gives siddhi. The temple is the second Ashtavinayaka temple in the Indian state of Maharashtra and the only Ashtavinayaka shrine in Ahmednagar district. Located on the bank of Bhima river this is the only Ashtavinayak Ganesha whose trunk is turned to the right. Many devotees are attracted to the Siddhatek every year to seek the blessing of this Ashtavinayak.