Karmandir Shri Siddhivinayak, Siddhatek
Siddhatek, Karjat taluka, Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar) district, Maharashtra
About
Shri Siddhivinayak of Siddhatek is the second temple in the traditional Ashtavinayak yatra, and the only one of the eight in Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar) district. It stands on a small hill on the north bank of the Bhima river, among babul trees. This is the only Ashtavinayak murti whose trunk turns to the right, and devotees regard this form as very 'jagrut' (awake), keeping the rules of purity with special care. The north-facing swayambhu murti sits cross-legged with Riddhi-Siddhi beside him. Do not confuse it with the famous Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai.
The story
The Mudgal Purana tells that at the start of creation, Brahma ji appeared on a lotus that rose from Vishnu ji's navel. Two demons, Madhu and Kaitabh, rose up and kept disturbing his work. Vishnu ji fought them for a long time but could not win. Shiv ji explained why: Vishnu ji had begun the battle without first remembering Ganesh ji, the lord of good beginnings. So Vishnu ji did tapasya on this hill, chanting 'Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah'. Ganesh ji was pleased and blessed him with siddhi (success), and Vishnu ji then defeated the two demons. The place came to be called Siddhatek, the hill where siddhi was gained.
With time the old temple was lost. By tradition, a cowherd found the murti again. The present sanctum was built in the 18th century by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. Saint Morya Gosavi and Narayan Maharaj of Kedgaon are said to have attained siddhi here. A well-known story says that Haripant Phadke, a Peshwa commander who had lost his post, did 21 rounds of pradakshina every day for 21 days. On the 21st day he was called back with honour. Later he built the stone path up to the temple.
Visiting
October to February is a good time; the riverbank gets very hot in summer. Many devotees walk the pradakshina of the whole hill; the path is rough and thorny, so carry water and walk with care. Daund railway station is about 19 km away, and a bridge now crosses the Bhima from the Shirapur side. Dress modestly.
Festivals
- Ganesh Chaturthi festival (Bhadrapad Shukla Pratipada to Panchami), with a palkhi
- Maghi Ganesh Jayanti festival (Magh Shukla Pratipada to Panchami), with a palkhi
- Vijayadashami
- Somvati Amavasya
