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Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek
Shri Siddhivinayak · 2nd Ashtavinayak · Maharashtra
॥ ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥
The Siddhivinayak Temple at Siddhatek, on the bank of the Bhima river in Ahmednagar district, is the second of the eight Ashtavinayak and the only one whose idol has its trunk turned to the right. It is revered as the shrine of siddhi — attainment and success — where even Vishnu is said to have won the power to defeat the demons Madhu and Kaitabha.
The right-trunked Ganesha
Almost all Ganesha images have the trunk curved to the left; at Siddhatek it turns to the right, a form considered especially potent but exacting in worship. The swayambhu idol faces north and is set in a sanctum that pilgrims circle on a full pradakshina around the hillock, a path of about five kilometres.
Where Vishnu gained siddhi
The temple’s name comes from the tradition that Vishnu worshipped Ganesha on this small hill (Siddhatek) and gained the siddhi, the spiritual power, to overcome the demons Madhu and Kaitabha at the dawn of creation. For this reason the shrine is sought by those praying for success in difficult undertakings.
A Peshwa-era shrine on the Bhima
The present north-facing temple, built in stone with a tall sanctum, owes much to the patronage of the Peshwa period and the devotee Ahilyabai Holkar’s era of temple-building in the Deccan. It stands beside the Bhima river, reached by a short crossing, in a quiet rural setting.
How to reach Siddhatek
- By road: Siddhatek is about 48 km from Daund and roughly 100 km from Pune, in Ahmednagar district near the Bhima river.
- By train: Daund Junction is the nearest convenient railhead.
- By air: Pune Airport is the nearest, around 110 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ashtavinayak is Siddhatek?
Siddhatek’s Siddhivinayak Temple is the second of the eight Ashtavinayak shrines of Ganesha and the only one whose idol has the trunk turned to the right.
Why is the right-turned trunk significant?
A right-turned trunk (uddhumbara) is rare and considered especially powerful but demanding in ritual. Siddhatek is the only Ashtavinayak with this form.
What does “Siddhivinayak” mean here?
It refers to the siddhi (spiritual attainment) that Vishnu is said to have gained by worshipping Ganesha on this hill before defeating the demons Madhu and Kaitabha.
What is the pradakshina at Siddhatek?
A full circumambulation of the deity here means going around the entire hillock, a path of about five kilometres that devotees undertake as part of their worship.
How do I reach Siddhatek?
Siddhatek is about 48 km from Daund and around 100 km from Pune in Ahmednagar district. Daund Junction is the nearest railhead and Pune the nearest airport.
When is the main festival?
Ganesh Jayanti (Magha) and Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapada) are the principal festivals at Siddhatek, drawing pilgrims on the Ashtavinayak circuit.
॥ गणपति बाप्पा मोरया ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Position | 2nd of the eight Ashtavinayak |
| Special | Only Ashtavinayak with a right-turned trunk |
| Legend | Vishnu gained siddhi here to defeat Madhu and Kaitabha |
| River | Bhima |
| Pradakshina | ~5 km around the hillock |
| Main Festival | Ganesh Jayanti |