Historical Period9c CE
Deity antiquity pre-9th c.; Peshwa-era restoration 18th c.
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Deities
Siddhivinayak of Siddhatek
Giver of Siddhi — Second of the Ashtavinayak
Giver of Siddhi — Second of the Ashtavinayak
Siddhivinayak of Siddhatek is the second of the Ashtavinayak pilgrimage temples, on an island in the Bhima river in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra. His name literally means "Vinayaka who grants siddhi" — supernatural accomplishment.
Siddhatek's Ganesha has his trunk curved to the right (uḍḍāpītha), unlike the left-curved trunk of all other Ashtavinayak deities. Right-trunk Ganeshas are considered especially powerful but demand more rigorous ritual discipline (kaḍaka niyam). Devotees are expected to circumambulate the small hill (pradakṣiṇa) seven times.
The temple structure was restored in the 18th century by the Peshwa rulers. Ahilyabai Holkar (the Maratha queen of Indore, d. 1795) sponsored the intricately carved wooden sabha-maṇḍapa. The image of Ganesha here is 3 feet tall, facing north, built into a stone cave.
Pilgrims reach Siddhatek by crossing the Bhima river. The circumambulation of the hill takes about 1 km and traditionally must be completed seven times for full spiritual benefit.
