Siddhi Vinayak temple is one of the most popular temples of Maharashtra. The temple housing Lord Ganesh as the presiding deity attracts thousands of devotees round the year. Built in 1901, Siddhi Vinayak temple is one of the icons of Mumbai, the financial capital of India dotted with prominent touristic locations.

Rooted as the most holistic place in Mumbai, for many of the devotees and travelers, exploring Mumbai will not be complete without visiting Siddhi Vinayak temple. The temple, though located in a very congested location, catches your attention from faraway distance.

Built in a very humble manner in 1901, the temple has seen many developments and extensions and is one of the largest temples of Maharashtra. It is believed that the idol of Lord Ganesh inside the sanctum is a self-manifested and He grants to the prayers of all His devotees, the reason for His name Siddhi Vinayak in this temple.

Specialty:

The idol in the sanctum is a two and half a feet wide one made up of single black stone. Seen with four hands, (Chaturbuj), Lord Ganesh sits with the trunk tilting to the right and a Third Eye on his forehead. The consorts of Lord Ganesh, Riddhi and Siddhi are sitting on his both sides. The wooden door of the temple is carved with wonderful structures of the eight manifestations of Lord Ganesh, called Ashtavinayak. The temple is more than hundred years old and recently, a sub shrine housing Lord Hanuman is built inside the temple premise.

Festivals:

Out of all the regular poojas and rituals conducted in this temple, Ganesh Chathurthi deserves a special mention here. Thousands of people assemble to worship Lord Ganesh, where loads of huge modaks are offered to him., Giant sized statues of the God are immersed in the sea during Visarjan, the ritual celebrated on the next day

Things to Remember While visiting Siddhi Vinayak Temple:

1. Plan to visit the temple keeping in mind that Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are very busy days with huge crowded queues extending upto even 2kms.
2. No entry fee for the temple except for availing cloak rooms at Rs.50
3. Temple functions between 5.30am to 10.00pm
4. Sweets, modaks of different varieties, garlands, flowers, incense sticks and other articles for poojas and rituals can be purchased from several kiosks functioning inside the temple premises.
5. Photography is not permitted inside the temple
6. While exiting after worshipping, the giant idols of two mice, Mooshika Vahan, the vehicle of Lord Ganesh catches your attention. You can see people saying their wishes on its ears.

Tourist attractions near Siddhi Vinayak Temple:

1. Dadar Chowpatty beach, at a distance of 2kms from Siddhivinayak temple
2. Bandra – Worli sea link
3. Replica of Sanchi Stupa
4. Sanyukt Maharashtra Museum
5. Wall Art near Shivaji Park
6. Nehru Planetarium
7. Haji Ali Dargah
8. Sri Mahalakshmi Temple

How to Reach Siddhivinayak Temple:

Siddhivinayak temple can be reached walking for just 15minutes from Dadar Station. People also prefer to take cabs.