Ancient Golden Ganesh Temple Malvan City, Malvan, Sindhudurg

Vighnaharta Ganaraya is the presiding deity of all of Maharashtra. In the Konkan region, the love and devotion for Ganesha is as vast as the ocean itself. Just like Holi, the entire Konkan region becomes immersed in the spirit of Ganesha during the Ganeshotsav festival. For this festival of their ‘beloved Bappa’, the people of Konkan make every possible effort to return to their native villages in Konkan, no matter where they are or what it takes. It is out of this devotional love for Ganesha that a Ganesha devotee in Malvan has built a magnificent temple of a Golden Ganesha. The name of this Ganesha devotee is Jyotirbhaskar Jayantrao Salgaonkar.

Jyotirbhaskar Jayantrao Salgaonkar is also known to Maharashtra as the creator of ‘Kalnirnay’. Started in the year 1972, this calendar is seen adorning the walls of crores of homes today. Jyotirbhaskar Salgaonkar was originally from Malvan. An astrologer, crossword creator, editor, writer, as well as Salgaonkar, the creator of the Panchang, was also a great devotee of Lord Ganesha. In the 1989 Kalnirnay, he wrote about Ganapati: “Epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata are accepted across the three worlds because their protagonists are transcendent, great souls. One such transcendent personality is Shri Ganesha. This valiant son of Parameshwar-Parvati became revered by the world by destroying the wicked and the evil. Gajanan Ganesha is the commander-in-chief of the gods. He holds a position of prominence not only on the battlefield but also in the realm of arts. He is the primary recipient of honor in all arts, including music, dance, and drama. We worship him because he is the master of such virtues.” 

They used to serve this Lord of Virtues in many ways. Ganesha is the deity of knowledge and arts. At the same time, Ganesha has also slain demons in battle when the occasion demanded. Keeping this in mind, Salgaonkar established the ‘Shri Ganesh Mahanidhi’ trust for the fields of journalism, military education, and theatre. He was the President of the Maharashtra Ganeshotsav Mahamandal, and in that capacity, he worked to bring a constructive and disciplined approach to the Ganeshotsav in Mumbai. He had made many efforts. He was also a trustee of the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust in Mumbai. He has authored several books. Among them, ‘Durvaksharanchi Judi’ and ‘Ganadhish Jo Ish’ are compilations of articles he wrote about Lord Ganesha. While serving the virtuous Lord Ganesha in such various ways, in the year 2004, he built a magnificent temple of Ganesha in the ancient Medha area of Malvan, constructed strictly according to the principles of architecture (Sthapatya Shastra). With the sentiment that this Ganesha should grant victory to his devotees, he named this deity ‘Jai Ganesh’. However, the Ganesha here is popularly known as ‘Suvarna Ganesh’ (Golden Ganesha). This is the second temple in the Konkan region known by the name Suvarna Ganesh. The Ganesha temple at Diveagar in the Shrivardhan taluka of Raigad district is also well-known by this same name. That temple houses a golden mask of Ganesha, whereas this temple in Malvan enshrines a golden idol of Ganesha.

The structure of this charming temple consists of a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) with a circumambulatory path (pradakshina marga) running through it, topped by two shikhars (spires). Above the temple entrance, there is an amalaka and a kalasha. The Sabha Mandap features a dome-shaped shikhara, crowned with a flat, disc-shaped amalaka and a kalasha. The main shikhara above the Garbhagriha is built in the Nagara style, rising straight up, but curving inwards abruptly just below the amalaka at the apex. The temple’s color scheme primarily utilizes white, with artistic touches of gold used in various places to create a visually pleasing effect. 

A large mandap has been constructed on the left side of the temple courtyard. Religious programs such as homa-havan are conducted here, for which a homakunda has also been built. At the entrance of the temple, there are two white elephants holding lotus flowers with their trunks. Five steps up from there is the sabhamandap of the temple. The sabhamandap is open in design. It features circular pillars, beautifully carved brackets (tarangahasta) resting upon them, and an octagonal dome above. Inside the dome, facing downwards, are eight idols representing the eight forms of Ganesha, with a beautiful chandelier in the center. A Trimukhi Ganapati can be seen here. Adjacent to the cylindrical door frame of the sanctum sanctorum are silver-colored, beautifully carved pillars, topped with a mayurtoran (peacock arch). Inside, the beautiful idol of Lord Ganesha is seated cross-legged on a gajapitha (elephant pedestal) supported by the heads of two elephants. Riddhi and Siddhi are present on both sides of this idol, which is plated with approximately one and a half kilograms of pure gold. On the pillars on both sides of the prabhavali (halo), there are figures of Ganesha’s vehicle, the mouse, standing and holding fans (vyajana) in their hands. A small processional idol (chalmurti) is installed in front of this main idol of Ganesha.

In this temple, the Maghi Ganeshotsav is celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious programs. The fourth day of Maghi Ganeshotsav is celebrated as the temple’s anniversary. A unique feature of the Suvarna Ganesh Temple is that on the morning of Makar Sankranti, the sun’s rays fall directly upon the golden idol in the sanctum sanctorum.

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