Shree Siddhivinayaka - Siddhatek

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(This is from: Sai bhakt, Deepa H.) as follows:

 

Shree Siddhivinayaka - Siddhatek

 

Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah...

[Om Sai Ram- If anyone wishes to see the pictures of this temple, click to this

link http://ganapati.club.fr/anglais/asud/adetsud.html#siddhatek and with this

mail about the last of the ashtvinayak temples, I also end my messages about the

stories and myths pertaining to Lord Ganesh..

 

Ofcourse, there are still many stories which were untold and unheard by most of

us but for now with the end of this sacred Ganesh Chaturthi festival -- I too

await for my messages about Ganpati bapa to continue with his arrival in the

next year..

 

I appologize for any mistakes that might have happened on my behalf in sending

these holy stories. And last but not the least, I offer my humble pranams at

the lotus feet of Lord Ganesh and pray to him to remove all the obstacles from

the life of all his devotees and forgive us all for our wrong doings and sins..

 

 

I thank HIM for giving me an opportunity to share his sacred stories and

pictures of the Ashtvinayak temples with his devotees . May HIS blessings

always be with all of us... Truly Ganpati possesses all the powers to do away

with any difficulty that confronts a devotee of his. So say with me:

 

Ganpati Bappa MoryaPudchaa Varshi laukarya! ]

 

Sthito Bhimatire Jagadvan Kamen Harina |Vijetu Daityo Tachuti Malbhavou Kaitabh

Madhu ||Mahavighnarten Prakhar Tapasa Sevitpado |Ganesh Siddhisho Girivarvapu

Panchajanak ||

Meaning

On the greatest mountain Siddhatek which is located on the bank of river Bhima &

surrounded by forest and trees. God Vishnu did hard penance when he was in great

difficulty. He got a boon from Lord Siddheshwar Ganesh who is a father or

creator of `Panchamahabhuta’ (the five elements namely Earth, Water, Fire, Air

& Sky) and killed the two demons Madhu & Kaitabha. Oh mighty God my salute to

you. Let me offer my humble services to you.

Lord Siddhivinayaka, the third Ganesh of Ashtavinayaka has trunk towards right

and has authority to complete the work. At this place God Vishnu got Siddhi

(divine illumination). The God is awaked or potent. Sage Moraya Gosavi from

Chinchwad and Sage Narayan Maharaj from Kodgaon got siddhi from the Lord

Siddhivinayaka at this place. Shri Haripant Phadke a general from Peshwa got

back his post when he did penance continuously for 21 days .

 

Stories about Shree Siddhatek

This story pertains to Treta Yuga. Once, Brahmadev performed penances of Shree

Ganesh by chanting his bîjâ mantra with a desire to create world. Shree Ganesh

was pleased and gave him boon. Lord Brahma created three classes namely

Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Shudras from his arms and thighs, Moon from his heart,

Sun from his eyes, Heaven from his head, Air and Life from his ear and Earth

from his legs. After that, he created sea, rivers, trees, etc. When Lord Brahma

was busy in creating world, Lord Vishnu was sleeping enjoying his Yoganidra.

After a period of time, two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, were created from the

dirt in Vishnu's ear. They started harrassing Brahmadeva. On Brahma Deva's

urge, Nidradevi left Vishnu so that he could wake up and destroy the demons.

Vishnu started fighting but in vain. After years, Lord Vishnu stopped war and

in the guise of Gandharva started singing Vîna. Lord Shankara on hearing it

called Lord Vishnu and asked for the boon. Vishnu told Lord

Shankara story of Madhu and Kaitabha and asked him to find a way out to kill the

demons. Shankar told Lord Vishnu that he did not get victory because before

starting the war he forgot to remember Gajanana (Ganesh). He gave Vishnu a six

letter Ganesh Mantra and asked him to go to Siddhi Kshetra for meditation. Lord

Vishnu built a big temple with four gates and consecrated there a Ganesha mûrti

made up of stone from Gandaki river. The place is called Siddhatek as Shri

Vishnu got his siddhi there and that Ganesha is called Siddhivinayak. Vinayaka

being happy with his worship gave him capacity to destroy Madhu and Kaitabha.

Vishnu came back to fight with Madhu and Kaitabha and told them, "I am pleased

by your valour. Ask for any boon." The demons felt insulted and said, "We are

pleased with your valour. You ask for any boon". Vishnu said, " If you are

pleased give me a boon that both of you shall meet your death through my

hands." The demons were shocked. Seeing water all around they told Vishnu,

"Kill us at a place which is not surrounded by water." Vishnu took his

Vishwarupa (huge form), put them on his thighs (lap) and killed them with his

Sudarshana Chakra. A prayer is made at Siddhatek to Siddhi Vinayaka to remove

any obstacles faced during Ashtavinayaka Yatra and likely to be faced during

the rest of the Yatra.This place is one of the twenty-one places of Lord

Ganesha, which is mentioned in the purana (mythology). This place is second in

Ashtavinayaka.

 

The Temple

At Siddhatek Lord Ganesha gave darshan to God Vishnu (Lord Ganesh himself

appeared in front of God Vishnu). God Vishnu built a temple over there with

installing Ganesha idol. The temple has four big entrances. Later on this

temple was destroyed by wear and tear. Years later a cowherd had a divine

appearance of God and saw this temple. That cowherd used to wash the idol by

the water of river Bhima and used to give offering and used to worship. Soon

everyone in the vicinity came to know about the temple. A Brahmin used to

maintain the Lord Ganesha and temple. During the Peshwa Rule, the existing

temple was built. The idols facing towards North. The nave is about 15 feet by

10 feet. The idol has beautiful gaily-decorated frame, on which sun, moon &

eagle were carved. Also snake is decorated at the middle of the frame. Near

decorate frame one can see the idols of Jay & Vijay (the dwarpals/watch men).

The sleeping room(shej-ghar) of the God is in the nave. At the

main entrance there is a Nagar-khana where one can hear the sound of holy drums

in the morning and afternoon.

 

Idol

The temple is on a hilltop facing north. The idol is Swayambhoo, three feet

tall, facing north with its trunk right-turned. On one lap are Buddhi and

Siddhi. Face is very calm (shant) and serene.. Because of this one has to be

very particular about the holiness of the idol. After taking bath, only few

selected people/priests can worship the idol by touching it. No one else is

even allowed to enter the main nave. The height of the idol is 3 feet and width

is 2 feet. Near the temple there are small temples of other gods like God Shiva,

Goddess Sitala, God Vishnu. The temple opens at dawn. At that time priest does

prayers and does holy bathing of the idol. After night prayers temple closes

and Lord Siddhi Vinayaka sleeps in shej-ghar. In the morning again priest

worship the idol(Shodopachari puja), in the evening priest worship idol.The

pradakshana of this God is said to be very fruitful. One has to travel 5 kms to

complete one Pradakshana as the God is attached to the

hill itself.

 

How to reach Sidhatek

1)By rail Pune-Sholapur, one can get down at Daund station to reach the Siddhatek .

Pune-Daund is 78 km. The way is

Pune-Hadapsar-Loni-Vawat-Chaufula-Patas-Daud-Siddhatek. Daud-Siddhatek distance

is 18 km. One can got to Daud-Shirapur-Bhima river. One can cross the river with

a boat. Private buses, cars are allowed to go till the bank of river Bhima.

After passing the river one has to walk some distance to reach temple.

2)By road one can go from Daud-Kasti-Padgaon to Siddhatek.

3)State transport bus service available between Shivaji Nagar(Pune) to Siddhatek.

 

September to June is the best period to visit. The roads are closed during

winter season. A very good arrangement for lodging & boarding can be made by

Shri Gajanan R Purohit - Siddhatek, Posst Jalalpur, Taluka Karjat, District

Ahmednagar. Phone-STD-(02489) 22760 & 22316.

May the Lord Ganesh bestow His Grace upon all of us today.

Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah..

 

(Sai bhakt, Deepa H.)

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