The Siddhivinayak Temple

About The Siddhivinayak Temple

Siddhivinayak Temple or Siddhi Vinayak Temple is one of the eight Ashtavinayak Temples of Maharashtra, dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Located on the banks of river Bhima, this Ashta Vinayaka Temple of Ganapati is situated in the remote village of Siddhatek, about 200 km east of Pune, in the Karjat Taluka of Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra.The iddhivinayaka (Ganesha) enshrined in the Siddhivinayak Temple is said to be the one who is capable of granting Siddhi. It is believed that it was here on the Siddhatek Mountain, that Vishnu acquired Siddhi and as such the idol of Lord Ganesh here is called as Siddhivinayak.

Shree Siddhivinayak’s temple is on hill top facing north. The swayambhu idol of Shree Siddhivinayaka is placed in brass frame. Brass idols of Jay & Vijay are placed on both sides of Siddhivinayaka. In the Sanctum itself there is a Shivapanchayatan & goddess Shiva’s small temple. Hall of the temple was previously built by Baroda’s landlord late Shri Mairal. It was broken in 1939 & was rebuilt by all Ganesh devotees in 1970. The idol is swayambhu, three feet tall, facing north with his trunk turned right. Idol is Gajmukh, however belly of the idol is not big. Riddhi & Siddhi are sitting on one lap of Vinayaka. Face is very calm & serene. The pradakshana (circumnavigation) of this God is said to be very fruitful. One has to travel 5 k.m. to comple one pradakshana as the idol is attached to the hill itself.

The Siddhivinayak Temple at Siddhatek is located on a hill top facing north. It is believed that the original temple was built by Lord Vishnu and a new temple was built during the reign of Peshwa. A Nagarkhana is seen on the main gate. The idol of Siddhivinayak (Siddhi Vinayaka) is swayambhu, with his trunk turned towards the right. This form (with trunk turned to the right) is considered to be the most vibrant form of Lord Ganesh. Placed in a brass frame, the deity is flanked by the idols of Jay and Vijay on both sides. He is enshrined in a sitting posture, with his consorts, Buddhi and Siddhi, sitting on his lap. There is a shivapanchayatan and goddess Shivai’s small temple in the sanctum. Besides, the temple houses the idols of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Moving towards the Siddhivinayak shrine, there is a place where sage Veda Vyasa had performed yadnya (sacrifices). This place is now covered by water.

History

Legend says that Lord Brahma, with the blessings of Lord Ganesh, was busy in creating the world. While this was going on, Lord Vishnu felt asleep and the two demons, Madhu and Kaitabh, emerged from Vishnu’s ears. They started troubling all gods, goddesses and sages. On realizing that only Lord Vishnu could kill the demons, Brahma and other gods requested him to kill them.

Though Lord Vishnu fought for about 5000 years, he failed in defeating the demons. On the advice of Lord Shiva, Vishnu worshipped Lord Ganesh. Vishnu was then successful in killing the demons with the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Hence, the place where Vishnu performed penance and gained Siddhi, is known as Siddhatek and Lord Ganesh, who conferred Siddhis, is known as Siddhivinayaka. Hall of the temple was previously built by Baroda’s landlord late Shri Mairal. It was broken in 1939 & was rebuilt by all Ganesh devotees in 1970.

Interesting things to Visit

Siddhivinayaka:
Located at Siddhatek(Ahmednagar District) about 19 km from Daund.Swayambhu (self-generated) idol with the trunk to the right. The temple situated next to Bhima river,faces the north and has idols of other gods like Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati.Vishnu vanquished the demons Madhu and Kaitab after propitiating Ganesha here. A dharmashala for travelling pilgrims has been built here.

Nearest Visiting places

Bhimashankar:
It is a picturesque spot around 95 kilometres from Pune with deep forests, temples, rivers and other attractions. The place is most famous for the temple of Lord Shiva, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. It is also the source of the river Bhim. Bhimashankar is a must-visit for those interested in trekking, nature watching and bird watching.

Jejuri:
Generally known as Khandobachi Jejuri, Jejuri is a famous Mararashtran temple. It is dedicated to Mhalsakant or Malhari Martand, worshipped by the Dhangars, one of the oldest tribes of Maharashtra. The temple is situated on a hill and can be reached after braving 200 odd steps. Jejuri is around 40 kilometres south-east of Pune, towards Phaltan.

Raigad:
It is the place where Shivaji was crowned in 1648 and died in 1680. The fort on an isolated hilltop gives a breathtaking view of the Western Ghats. It is a steep climb to the hilltop, but well worth the effort. Raigad is at a distance of about 126 kms from Pune.

Sinhagad:
The Lion Fort or Sinhagad which is around 25 kms south-west of Pune is atop a steep hill. Almost ruined now, it has an interesting history. In the year 1670, Tanaji Malusre, a general of Shivaji, scaled the steep hill in the dark with his troops and defeated the forces of Bijapur. Legend has it that the Maratha forces used trained lizards for carrying the ropes up the hill. It is here that Mahatma Gandhi met another stalwart of the Indian freedom struggle, Bal Gangadhar Tilak for the first time, in 1915.

Parvati Hill temples:
It is a splendid temple built by Balaji Baji Rao and occupies a significant place for the pilgrim tourists. You have to climb 108 steep and narrow steps in order to reach the hill top temple. Formerly it was the private shrine of the Peshwas. It also houses Parvati museum featuring portraits of Peshwas, ancient manuscripts and coins. From the top of the temple you can get the awe-inspiring views of the town.

Bund Garden:
This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pune and is also known as Mahatma Gandhi Udhayan. It is located on the right bank of the Mula-Mutha Rivers and was built by Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy to provide the poor with water during hot months of the summers. The adventure enthusiasts can indulge here in boat rides and horse rides.

Help Line/Phone Number

Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over two districts of Ahmednagar and Solapur in Maharashtra. The vegetation is arid and semi-arid grasslands, open country with thorn scrub, tall grass interspersed with cultivation.Common species found here are Great Indian bustard, blackbuck, wolf, Indian fox, hyena and common mongoose……more

Shirdi is famous temple of Shri Sai Baba. It was established in 1922 to carry out the services of Shri Sai Baba. Shirdi provide various facilities for the devotees. A building to accommodate 3500 devotees, having 560 self-contained rooms and two spacious halls has been constructed here.There is a Sai Baba sansthan also which provides support to many noble causes. As Sai Baba used to cure many diseases, So Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi built a ‘Shri Sainath’ Hospital to continue to provide service to patients……more

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Location info

• **Address:**Siddhatek,Maharashtra,India

• District: Ahmednagar

• Nearest City: Pune

• Best time to visit: November and March

Climate & weather

Maximum 28.50 C, Minimum 11.7’ C

Things to do at The Siddhivinayak Temple

Worship:
The temple opens daily at 4 AM. Saharan Puja is carried out from 4:30 am to 5 am. The deity is offered Khichadi at 10 AM.Panchamriti Puja is performed at 11 am. The Mahabhog is offered at 12:30 pm and the third puja starts after sunset. The Dhooparti is carried out from 8:30 pm to 9:15 pm and the temple is then closed.

Festival:
Celebrations are held during the months of Bhadrapad and Magh, from the Pratipada to Panchami of the waxing period of the moon. In these days, after the Mahapuja and Mahabhog, a procession of the palkhi is carried in the evening from 8 pm. Besides, Bhajans are sung and Dhooparti and Shejarti are held. Siddhivinayak Temple will be visited by thousands of people during the annual Temple festivals of Ganesh Jayanti, Vijayadashami and Somvati Amavasya.

How to reach The Siddhivinayak Temple

• **Nearest Railway Station:**Daund Railway Station

• **Nearest Airport:**Pune Lohegaon Airport

**Road Transport:**Buses are available from Pune and Daund to a village called Shirapur, which is a kilometer away from Siddhatek. From there, one can get on a boat to reach the temple

Hotels & accommodation nearby

• **Hotel Visawa:**Karjat,Maharashtra

**Ashirvad Hotel:**Karjat,Maharashtra

Nearest petrol pump

• sachin kamble petrol pump: Karjat,Maharashtra,india

Best time to visit The Siddhivinayak Temple

Throughout the year. Major festivals draw large crowds. October to March offers the most comfortable weather.

Timings & opening hours

Typically open from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. Some temples close for a few hours in the afternoon (12:00 PM to 4:00 PM).

Entry fee & tickets

Free entry. Special darshan or pooja may require separate fees.

Duration needed

1–2 hours for darshan and exploration. More time during festivals or special occasions.

Safety tips

Remove footwear before entering the sanctum. Follow temple dress codes — cover shoulders and knees. Secure your belongings. Be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas during festivals.

Things to carry

Modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered), a shawl or scarf, small change for offerings, and a water bottle.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: depends on location (Mumbai, Pune, or Nagpur). Nearest railway station: the nearest station on the Central or Western Railway line. Well-connected by state highways.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Maharashtra’s cities have diverse food scenes. Mumbai and Pune offer everything from street food (vada pav, pav bhaji) to fine dining. Hill stations have chikki and local snacks. Temple towns offer Maharashtrian thali and local specialities.

Frequently asked questions

What are the temple timings? Most temples open early morning (around 5:00–6:00 AM) for the first aarti and close after the evening aarti (around 8:00–9:00 PM). Many temples close for a few hours in the afternoon.

Is there a dress code? Yes, modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is required at most temples. Some temples provide shawls or sarongs at the entrance.

Are cameras allowed inside? Photography is often allowed in the temple complex but may be restricted inside the inner sanctum. Check signage at the entrance.

Accessibility

Religious sites may have steps at the entrance and may not have ramps. The interiors are generally level once inside. Some historic sites have uneven stone floors. Visitors with mobility concerns should check in advance.

Rules & restrictions

Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered (scarves or shawls are often available at the entrance). Photography is generally permitted without flash, but video may be restricted. Maintain silence inside. Mobile phones should be on silent mode. Remove shoes if required (indicated by signage). Do not touch artefacts or altars. These are active places of worship — respect services, festivals, and devotees.

Best photography spots

Mumbai’s Gothic and Victorian churches, Pune’s colonial-era churches, and the Portuguese-influenced churches of the Konkan coast offer rich architectural photography. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount in Bandra is iconic. Early morning light is best for city churches.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: October to March for comfortable weather
• Significance: Important religious and spiritual site for devotees
• Dress code: Traditional and modest attire recommended
• Photography: Check local guidelines; photography may be restricted in inner sanctums

Visitor information

• Timings: Generally open from sunrise to sunset. Verify local timings before planning your visit.
• Entry fee: Free entry at most temples. Donations are voluntary.
• Best time to visit: October to March for the most comfortable weather conditions.
• Duration needed: 1 to 2 hours recommended for a comfortable visit.

Map & location view

• Destination: The Siddhivinayak Temple
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: religious precincts of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “The Siddhivinayak Temple, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photo gallery of The Siddhivinayak Temple

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of The Siddhivinayak Temple on popular travel photography sites and social media.