Maa Punyakshetralu - Temples in India

Sthitho Bhimatire jagadvan kamen Harina |
Vijetu Daityo Tachuti Malbhavou Kaitabhmadhu ||
Mahavighnarten Prakhar Tapasa Seitpado |
Ganesh Siddhisho Girivarvapu Panchjanak ||

Meaning :
Lord shri Hari Vishnu, Who was surrounded by fierce calamaties, performed penance on mountain Siddhetekwhich is on the bank of river Bhima. On receiving boon from Lord Shri Ganesh, Lord Vishnu killed two demons Madhu & Kaitabh. Oh! Lord Siddheswar Shri Ganesh accept my salutation.

Lord Vishnu got Siddhi at Siddhatek as such Ganesh idol here is called as Siddhivinayak . It is believed that Siddhivinayak leads work to the completion. Shree Siddhivinayak is supposed to be Jagrut place (awakened) of Shree Ganesh.
Morya Gosavi of Morgaon & Narayan Maharaj of Kedgaon have attained siddhi here. Peshva Senapati Shree Haripant Phadke resume his lost post by performing Vinayak's penance for 21 days.

ROUTE
Situated on the banks of river Bhima Siddhatek lies in Karjat taluka of Ahmednagar district. Wheat & Suggarcane fields are seen every where. Small houses covered with grass & walls made up of soil is speciality of this area.Herds of animals & sheeps will be seen grazing on expanded fields.

Following routes are available for going to Siddhatek:
1. For going to Siddhatek, Daund is convinient railway station on Pune - Solapur railway line.(Dhund is at 78 kms from Pune via Hadapsar-Loni-Yavat-Chaufula & Patas).
Daund-Siddhatek is 18kms. State transport buses stops at Shirapur, 1km prior to Siddhatek. By walking down a distance of 1km from Shirapur you come across river Bhima.

On crossing river Bhima by boat you are in Siddhatek. You will be astonished to know that before crossing the river you are in Pune Dist. (Shirapur) & on crossing the river when youare on another bank of river that is when you are in Siddhatek you are in Ahmednagar district.
2. From Mumbai you can go to Siddhatek via Patas, Bhigwan and Rashin.
3. Siddhatek via long route of Daund-Kashti-Pedgaon (without crossing river) is at a distance of 48 Kms.

DAILY PROGRAMMES IN SIDDHIVINAYAKA'S TEMPLE
Temple is opened at 4.00 o'clock in the morning. From 4.30 a.m. to 5.00 o'clock Ganesh Pooja is performed. Khichadi Naivedyam is offered at 10.00 o'clock in the morning, Panchamrut (milk, curd, honey, ghee) pooja is done at 11.00 a.m. and Mahanaivedyam is offered at 12.00 noon. Third pooja is performed after sunset. Dhooparati takes place from 8.30 p.m. to 9.15 p.m. and the temple closes for the day.

FESTIVALS
Bhadrapada and Magh Shudh Pratipada to Panchami (from 1st day to 5th day) are celebrated on grand scale. Maha Pooja and Maha Naivedyam is offered continously for three days. Palanquin of Siddhivinayak is set out at 8.00 p.m. for continously 3 nights. Shree Dharanidhar Chintaman Dev is landlord of Siddhatek. Morning Kapoor (camphor) Aarti is sponsored by him. Land revenue is utilised towards expenses of festivals, Naivedyam and Nandadeep. Large number of devotees attend Magh festival.

SHREE SHREE SIDDHIVINAYAKA TEMPLE
Siddhatek is situated on the banks of river Bhima. On crossing the river, while going towards the temple, you will come across the place where sage Vyas had performed yadnya (sacrifices). It said that, years ago there was a heap of ashes from this sacrificial fire. However, this place is now covered by water. The road leading to main temple was built by Peshwa's Senapati Haripant Phadke.

Shree Siddhivinayak's temple is on hill top facing north. Sanctum of the temple, which is fifteen feet high and ten feet broad was built by Ahilyabai Holkar.

The swayambhu idol of Shree Siddhivinayaka is placed in brass frame. Brass idols of Jay and Vijay are placed on both sides of Siddhivinayaka. In the sanctum itself there is a Shivapanchayatan and goddess Shivai's small temple. Hall of the temple was previously built by Baroda's landlord late Shri Mairal. It was broken in 1939 and was rebuilt by all Ganesh devotees in 1970. Nagarkhana on the main gate was built in memory of Shree Haripant Phadke.

SHREE SIDDHIVINAYAK'S IDOL
The idol is swayambhu, 3 feet tall, facing north with his trunk turned right. Idol is Gajmukh, however beilly of the idol is not big. Riddhi & Siddhi are sitting on one lap of Vinayaka. Face is very calm and serene.

The pradakshana (circumnavigation) of the God is said to very fruitful. One has to travel 5 kms. to complete one Pradakshana as the idol is attached to the hill itself.


STORY OF SIDDHIVINAYAKA IN PESHWA PERIOD
Peshwa's Senapati (commander of Army) Haripant Phadke came to Siddhivinayaka on loosing his designation. He performed 21 days Anushthan (ceremony to propitiate God). Accordingly he vowed to circumnavigate Shree Siddhivinayaka 21 times in a day continously for 21 days. Exactly on 21 st day Peshwa's messenger came to Siddhatek and took Haripant Phadke to Pune honourably.

He constructed ghat on the river and also built village gate.
1. The place where SAge Bhrushandi had performed penances is nearer to the temple.
2. Siddhatek temple trust is under control of Chinchwad Temple Trust.
3. On giving appropriate donations temple trust or poojari performs Abhishek, Pooja and Sahastravartan. Prasad and holy ashes are sent by post.
4. Temple trust is constructing a building fro purpose of devotees.
5. Rules for performing pooja of Siddhivinayak are observed very strictly as such devotees are not allowed to do pooja personally.
6. Shree Siddhivinayak lodging and boarding is available near the temple. Rate for single room for one day is Rs.75/- and for big hall is Rs. 251/-.
7. A very good arrangement of lodging and boarding can be made by Shree Gajanan purohit who is ancestral poojari of Siddhatek.
8. In monsoon transportation is not possible due to bad roads.
9. Central Bank Siddhatek branch is near the temple.
As such Siddhatek is holy place where God Vishnu, Sage Vyas and Bhrushundi, hermit Morya Gosavi and Narayan Maharaj had attained siddhi.