Siddhivinayak of Siddhatek

 Ashtavinayaka Series

Siddhivinayaka of Siddhatek

It was time for the next Creation to begin, and Lord Brahma set up on the task. As He began to create worlds, Lord Vishnu went into His Yoganidra. Unknown to the Lord, two demons Madhu and Kaitabh emerged from His ears and started harassing the celestial gods.

Lord Vishnu put up a fierce battle against the demons, and the battle went on for a long time. Neither side seemed to be making any progress. It is said that Lord Shiva advised Lord Vishnu to seek the guidance of Lord Ganesha by reciting the shadakshara mantra 'Ganeshaya Namaha'. Lord Vishnu chose Siddhakshethra to propitiate Lord Ganesha who assisted Him ultimately.

Lord Vishnu is said to have created a temple in this place and installed an idol of Lord Gajanan. As Lord Vishnu attained Siddhi here, this place came to be known as Siddhatek.

With the passage of time, the temple constructed by Lord Vishnu perished. It is said that the idol of Lord Gajanan was found years later by a shepherd, who started worshipping it regularly. In the Peshwa reign, another temple that stands on the current day, was constructed around the idol.

Lord Siddhivinayaka is the only idol among the Ashtavinayak idols whose trunk is curved to the right. The idol appears to be wide, but it is actually flanked on either side by Riddhi and Siddhi. To make the pradakshina of the temple, one has to make the round trip of the entire hillock which takes about half an hour.

It is also said that the Bhima river along which the temple is situated, doesn't make any sound, even when the flow is rapid!