Siddhivinayak – Siddhatek

Shri Siddhivinayak – Siddhatek

Siddhatek is situated on the banks of River Bhima in the Ahmednagar district. The temple facing towards the north, and built during the Peshwa period is dedicated to Siddhivinayak Ganapati.

Air : The nearest Airport is Pune (99 Km).
Rail : The nearest rail head is Daund (20 Km), on the Mumbai – Solapur section.
Road : Siddhatek is well connected by road. It is 269 Km from Mumbai. There are frequent bus services from Pune and nearby towns/cities.

Religious Importance
God Vishnu is supposed to have vanquished the asuras Madhu and Kaitabh after propitiating Ganesha here.

This is the only murti of these eight with the trunk positioned to the right.

It is believed that the two saints Shri Morya Gosavi and Shri Narayan Maharaj of Kedgaon received their enlightenment here.

The temple is North-facing and is on a small hillock. The main road towards the temple was believed to be built by Peshwa’s general Haripant Phadake. The inner sanctum, 15 feet high and 10 feet wide is built by Punyashloka Ahilyabai Holkar. The idol is 3feet tall and 2.5feet wide. The idol faces North-direction. The stomach of the murti is not wide, but Riddhi and Siddhi murtis are sitting on one thigh. This murti’s trunk is turning to the right. The right-sided-trunk Ganesha is supposed to be very strict for the devotees. To make one round (pradakshina) around the temple one has to make the round trip of the hillock. This takes about 30 minutes with moderate speed.

Peshwa general Haripant Phadake lost his General’s position and did 21 Pradakshina around the temple. On the 21st day Peshwa’s court-man came and took him to the court with royal honor. Haripant promised the God that he will bring the stones of the castle which he will win from the first war he will fight as the general. The stone pathway is built from the Badami-Castle which was attacked by Haripant soon after he became the general.

This temple is situated off the Pune-Solapur highway about 48 km from the town of Srigonda in Ahmadnagar district. The temple is situated next to Bhima river. On Pune-Solapur railway, Daund Railway station is 18 km from here.