Siddhivinayak Temple is a Hindu, medieval creation dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is located in Prahadevi, Dadar, Mumbai. The founder of this temple is controversial, it is said either, Ahilyabai Holkar built it on 19th November 1801, or Lakshman Vithu and Deubhai Patil built it, in the same year. Since then, it has been renovated several times. Siddhivinayak Temple consists of a small mandapam (hall) with the shrine for Siddhi Vinayak (Ganesha that grants your wish). The wooden doors to the inner entrance are carved with the images of the Ashtavinayak (the eight types of Ganesha, as viewed by people in Maharashtra). The inner roof of the sanctum is gold-plated, the central statue being that of Ganesha.

In the perimeter area, a hanuman temple, temples of Lord Shiva, Goddess Shitala, Lord Vishnu, are also located. The Siddhivinayak Mandir that stands today in the later half of the 20th century, evolved from a small, tiny place of worship. Near to the temple the river Bhima flows down, which is famous for never creating any sound, while flowing. Most idols of Ganapati depict the elephant faced God with his trunk curled towards his left. However, Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai shows it curled towards his right. Ganapati here is sculptured with four arms holding a lotus, an axe, modakas and a garland of beads, flanked by his consorts (wives) Siddhi and Riddhi.

On the very auspicious Tuesdays, and Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees make a serpentine queue, over 2 kilometres long, only to have a whirlwind `darshan` or meeting with the lord. The path to this final glory is never easy, thousands of ardent worshippers, line outside the narrow lane, called `Phool Galli` where innumerable stalls selling flowers, garlands, sweets, coconuts can be seen lined up. Siddhivinayak Temple receives donations of around Rupees 100-150 million every year, which makes it Mumbai city`s richest temple trust. Due to its status and the array of VIP personnel visiting the temple every week, the security level is always very sensitively high all the year round. There is a statue of a squatting `nandi` or the sacred cow, which is regarded as the mode of transport of Lord Shiva. The upper floors are reserved for the residential quarters of the priests. The Siddhivinayak Temple even has its exclusive website http://www.siddhivinayak.org

The daily duties begin at 4 in the morning, which goes on till 9.15 in the night. One can reach this shrine, by either auto rickshaw, or a taxi, by getting down at Dadar Station. It is a very famous place of worship, anyone can locate the address. The trustee board of the Siddhivinayak Temple came under careful scanner, when in 2004, it was accused of manhandling the temple donations. Consequently, the Bombay High Court appointed a committee headed by retired judge V P Tipnis to scrutinize the trust`s donations and probe into the allegations. Since then, "suggestive guidelines" are in use while dealing with its money matters, ordered by the Bombay High Court in 2006.