Prasanna Shree Siddhanath Ganpati Temple Kewadabaug, Vadodara, Vadodara

Located in the ancient and historically significant city of Vadodara, the Siddhanath Ganpati Temple is around 150 years old. Situated next to the Siddhanath Mahadev Temple, which holds the foremost place among the city’s Navnath Temples, this east-facing temple houses the idols of Ganesha and Riddhi, Siddhi. Twice a year, the first rays of the rising sun fall directly on Lord Ganesha’s forehead. This temple is a major center of faith for countless devotees in Vadodara, who believe that darshan of Lord Ganesh here fulfills their heartfelt wishes.

The temple was founded in 1872 by Nageshwar Ramchandra Karmarkar, also known as Ganpatibua. A freedom fighter and devotee of Lord Rama, Ganpatibua used to wear a sacred amulet with a small idol of Rama. On his return from a protest against British rule, he lost this amulet and was deeply distressed. In a sorrowful and anxious state, he encountered a wandering monk who consoled him by saying, “Rama, Ganesh and Vitthal are one and the same,” and advised him to worship Lord Ganesh. Following this, Ganpatibua fasted and consumed only

sacred durva juice for 21 days, worshiping Ganesh with deep devotion. The monk gave him a self-manifested (swayambhu) idol of Lord Ganesh that had emerged from a Mandar tree.

Later, Karmarkar went to stay with his brother in Vadodara and resolved to build a temple for Ganesh. Inspired by Peshwa-style architecture, he began constructing a two-storied temple. Around the same time, he had a divine dream in which Ganesh instructed him, “Take me from the Mairal Mansion.” Shrimant Gopalrao Mairal, a prominent minister of the Baroda State and known as Navkot Narayan, had commissioned the carving of Ganesh and his divine consorts from a single stone. However, due to black lines behind the ears of the Ganesh idol which are considered as inauspicious, Mairal had not installed them. These idols remained in his mansion. Acting on his vision, Ganpatibua visited the Mairal Mansion. Upon examining the black lines, he interpreted them differently – “Just as a tusker releases mad (fragrant secretion) from its temples when excited, these lines are a symbol of power and thus auspicious.” He brought the idols to his temple. On Shravan Vadya Panchami in 1972, the idols were ceremoniously consecrated. Following scriptural guidance, the idols were installed over a well, which is located beneath the pedestal of Siddhanath Ganpati.

The temple retains its original 150-year-old structure with only minor repairs over time. It once housed students, mostly from Maharashtra, particularly Khandesh, who lived on alms (madhukari) and studied here. Many later settled in Vadodara. The temple is located behind Khanderao Market, near Siddhanath Lake. The two-storied building, resembling a Peshwa mansion, has predominantly wooden interiors. The layout includes an entrance porch (mukhmandap), an assembly hall (sabhamandap), an antechamber (antaral) and a sanctum (garbhagriha). Five steps lead to the entrance hall, which is spacious, open and supported by carved wooden pillars and ornate arches. A marble pedestal in the assembly hall holds a statue of Mushak (Ganesh’s mouse mount), in front of which is a platter of modaks being weighed down by smaller figurines.

Beneath the seating area of the assembly hall are portraits of Ganpatibua, members of the Paranjpe family and Shrimant Gopalrao Mairal. The walls of the antechamber feature images of various deities, including a notable painting in the style of Raja Ravi Varma titled ‘Yamuna Ghat’. The sanctum has a wooden doorway with a carved image of Ganesh on the lintel. Inside, on a marble pedestal, sits the idol of Ganesh flanked by Riddhi and Siddhi. The self-manifested idol received by Ganpatibua is also placed in front. Siddhanath Ganpati’s trunk bends slightly to the left, despite it being a right-curving trunk, hence it is not a completely right-trunked idol. Every year in March and September, on specific days, the first rays of the sun touch the idol’s head.

The temple is open for darshan from 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM, except between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. The idols are bathed daily. Siddhanath Ganpati is dressed every day in a 4.5-meter garment and Riddhi-Siddhi are also adorned with clothes. Daily rituals include Kakad Aarti at 6:00 AM, Shringar Aarti (on festivals) at 7:30 AM, Mahanaivedya at 12:00 PM and Shejarati at 8:30 PM.

On Sankashti Chaturthi, daily worship and Sahasravartan (chanting) are performed. Devotees often perform Abhishek and Mahaprasad is distributed after moonrise. On Vinayaki Chaturthi, abhishek, sahasravartan and women’s devotional singing (bhajan) are organized. The anniversary of the idol consecration is celebrated on Shravan Vadya Panchami with Laghu Rudra Abhishek in the morning and women’s bhajans in the evening.

Festivals such as Ganeshotsav (in Bhadrapad) and Ganesh Jayanti (in Magh month) are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Ganesh Jayanti is a three-day festival, with the birth celebration on Chaturthi. Mahaprasad is served to devotees on two days. The temple assembly hall is also available free of cost for events of all communities. Every Friday, a Sanskrit workshop is held, benefiting many locals.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery