Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek (Ashtavinayak)
सिद्धिविनायक गणपती मंदिर
Ganesha (Siddhivinayak) temple · Siddhatek, Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar), Maharashtra, India
Photo: Borayin Maitreya Larios · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
The Siddhivinayak Temple at Siddhatek is a Ganesha temple and one of the eight Ashtavinayak shrines of Maharashtra (Maharashtra Tourism; Incredible India; Free Press Journal). It stands on the bank of the Bhima river in Karjat taluka of Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar) district (Maharashtra Tourism; Sakal; Dainik Gomantak). The Ganesha worshipped here is known as Siddhivinayak (Incredible India; Sakal).
This Siddhivinayak is a different shrine from the well-known Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai. The idol here is seated with its trunk turned to the right, the feature for which the temple is best known (Maharashtra Tourism; Free Press Journal; Dainik Gomantak). The temple sits on a hillock above the river (Incredible India; Sakal).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek (Ashtavinayak)
On the Ashtavinayak pilgrimage the temple is usually visited as the second shrine, after Morgaon (Incredible India; Dainik Gomantak). Maharashtra Tourism describes the right-turned trunk as rare among the Ashtavinayak idols (Maharashtra Tourism). Local belief holds that the idol is swayambhu, or self-manifested (Sakal; Dainik Gomantak).
According to tradition, the demons Madhu and Kaitabha troubled Brahma's work of creation, and Vishnu could not overcome them (Maharashtra Tourism; Sakal). On Shiva's advice, Vishnu worshipped Ganesha on this hill, gained siddhi (spiritual power) and then defeated the demons (Maharashtra Tourism; Sakal; Dainik Gomantak). Devotees believe the place came to be called Siddhatek, and the deity Siddhivinayak, because of this story (Maharashtra Tourism; Incredible India; Dainik Gomantak).
Heritage
History of Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek (Ashtavinayak)
Maharashtra Tourism and Sakal both credit Ahilyabai Holkar, the 18th-century ruler of Indore known for restoring temples, with building the present temple (Maharashtra Tourism; Sakal). Dainik Gomantak notes that the shrine's antiquity rests on Puranic tradition, while the present structure grew through building and renovation over several periods (Dainik Gomantak). No firm founding date is given here.
Architecture and sacred features
The temple is built of black stone (Maharashtra Tourism; Incredible India; Dainik Gomantak). It faces north (Maharashtra Tourism; Sakal; Dainik Gomantak). Brass figures of the doorkeepers Jaya and Vijaya stand on either side of the sanctum (Maharashtra Tourism; Sakal; Dainik Gomantak), and a nagarkhana, or drum house, stands above the main entrance gateway (Maharashtra Tourism; Sakal; Dainik Gomantak). Incredible India also mentions a sabha mandapa, an assembly hall (Incredible India).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Many devotees walk around the whole hill on which the temple stands rather than only the shrine, along a rough, unpaved path (Maharashtra Tourism; Sakal; Dainik Gomantak). Dainik Gomantak advises pilgrims to keep age, health and weather in mind before attempting it (Dainik Gomantak). Confirm current darshan arrangements and timings with the temple management before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek (Ashtavinayak)
Ganesh Chaturthi
One of the temple's main festivals, when large numbers of pilgrims gather for puja, abhishekam and aarti (Maharashtra Tourism; Incredible India; Dainik Gomantak).
Ganesh Jayanti (Maghi Chaturthi)
Marked as a major festival at the temple and draws large crowds of devotees (Maharashtra Tourism; Dainik Gomantak).
Vijayadashami
Observed at the temple with special rituals (Maharashtra Tourism; Incredible India).
Location
How to Reach Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek (Ashtavinayak)
Maharashtra Tourism names Daund Junction as the nearest railway station, about 19 km away, and Pune International Airport as the nearest major airport (Maharashtra Tourism). Incredible India gives the Daund distance as about 20 km (Incredible India).
The temple lies across the Bhima from Shirapur village in Pune district; pilgrims once crossed by boat, and a bridge over the river now gives access to the temple (Incredible India). Maharashtra Tourism lists Shirapur as the nearest bus stop, about 1 km before the temple (Maharashtra Tourism).
Location: Siddhatek, Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar), Maharashtra, India
Nearest airport: Pune International Airport
Nearest railway station: Daund Junction
More in Hindu temples in Maharashtra · Ganesha (Siddhivinayak) temples
Questions
Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek (Ashtavinayak): Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Siddhatek Siddhivinayak temple?
It is at Siddhatek village on the bank of the Bhima river, in Karjat taluka of Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar) district, Maharashtra (Maharashtra Tourism; Sakal; Dainik Gomantak).
Is this the same as the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai?
No. This is the Ashtavinayak shrine at Siddhatek on the Bhima river (Maharashtra Tourism; Incredible India), a separate temple from Mumbai's Siddhivinayak.
What is special about the idol?
The seated Ganesha has its trunk turned to the right (Maharashtra Tourism; Free Press Journal; Dainik Gomantak). Maharashtra Tourism calls this rare among the Ashtavinayak idols (Maharashtra Tourism).
Why is the place called Siddhatek?
According to tradition, Vishnu worshipped Ganesha on this hill and gained siddhi before defeating the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, and the place and deity take their names from this (Maharashtra Tourism; Sakal; Dainik Gomantak).
Who built the present temple?
Maharashtra Tourism and Sakal credit Ahilyabai Holkar with building the present temple (Maharashtra Tourism; Sakal).
What is the hill pradakshina?
Many devotees walk around the whole hill on which the temple stands, along a rough, unpaved path (Maharashtra Tourism; Sakal; Dainik Gomantak).
How do I reach Siddhatek?
The nearest railway station is Daund Junction, about 19–20 km away, and the nearest major airport is Pune (Maharashtra Tourism; Incredible India). A bridge across the Bhima from Shirapur now gives access to the temple (Incredible India).
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Wikidata Q7508177 — structured data (CC0)
- Wikipedia — Siddhivinayak_Temple,_Siddhatek — text facts from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
- Maharashtra Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra) — Siddhatek Ashtavinayak Temple: History and Travel Guide
- Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India) — Siddhivinayak Temple (Siddhatek)
- Sakal — Ashtavinayak: legends of all the Ganpati shrines (Marathi)
- Dainik Gomantak (Sakal Media Group) — Siddhatek Ganpati: Right-trunked Swayambhu Siddhivinayak, key shrine in Ashtavinayak pilgrimage (Marathi)
- Free Press Journal — 8 Must-Visit Ashtavinayak Temples In Maharashtra
Further reading: Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek (Ashtavinayak) on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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