Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Bappa Morya series part 1: Shri Siddhivinayak, Mumbai.

Shri Siddhivinayak, who resides at Prabhadevi in Mumbai is a deity adored by millions. Scores of people line up everyday to have an eye-filling darshan of the beloved elephant-faced Lord, especially on Tuesdays & all Sankashti/Angaraki Chaturthi days.

The old temple was consecrated on November 19, 1801. The temple construction was funded by a rich woman called Deubai Patil, who was childless so that the Lord would bless other childless women like her. Ramakrishna Jambhekar Maharaj, a disciple of Akkalkot Sri Swami Samarth, buried 2 divine idols in front of Sri Siddhivinayak, on the orders of his guru. As predicted by Swami Samarth, 21 years later, a 'mandar' tree grew at that spot with a 'Swayambhu' (self manifested) Ganesha in its branches. Sri Siddhivinayak is a living deity lovingly known as 'Navasala Pavnara Ganapati' in Marathi - Ganapati who bestows boons whenever genuinely prayed to. Blessing devotees along with Ganapati is Hanuman, whose image was discovered during a road extension project near Elphinstone road in 1952.

The deity made of black stone has turned orange in colour due to the regular application of sindoor over the years. The Lord holds a lotus in the upper right hand, an axe in the upper left, a rosary (japa mala) in the lower right & a bowl full of modaks in the lower left hand. His trunk is curved to the right, which is considered very special. He is flanked by His wives Ridhhi & Siddhi who signify sanctity, success, wealth & prosperity.

May the gracious Ganaraja bless one & all.

"What is the significance of the word MORYA in “Ganapati Bappa Morya”? Devotees chant Ganapati Bappa Morya all the time to sing the praises of Lord Ganesh. But how many of us know what the word Morya signify? The word Morya refers to a famous devotee of Lord Ganesh in the fourteenth century called Morya Gosavi, originally from village called Shaligram in Karnataka where his devotion was looked upon as madness!! He later travelled and settled in Chinchvad, near Pune and invoked the Lord with severe penance.

He attained siddhi (special powers and blessings) at Shree Chintamani and his son built the temple to commemorate the event. It is said that Moryaji also performed penances at Siddhi Vinayak in Ahmedabad and in Moreshwar/Mayureshwar at Moregoan where he also built the temple.

Overwhelmed by the devotion of Moryaji, he was blessed by Lord Ganesha to fullfill any of his wish. Morya asked to be remembered forever on this earth whenever anyone remembers his Lord, as his 'Param Bhakt'. Thus this depicts the inseparable relationship between God and his devotee." Always remember this when you say 'Ganapati Bappa Morya'

Ganapathy Bappa Morya