Pavitra Bhakti Ganesh / Black Ganapati Bhaktinagar, CIDCO, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, t. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The Bhakti Ganesh Mandir in the CIDCO area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is a revered and awakened shrine, a sacred abode for millions of devotees. This is the first temple in New Aurangabad. Devotees believe that this Ganesh, also known as Kala Ganapati, rushes to answer their calls. The exquisite black stone idol in this temple was brought from Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. Thousands of devotees visit for darshan every Tuesday, Sankashti, Vinayaki, and Angaraki Chaturthi.

In one thousand nine hundred seventy-two, the state government issued a notification appointing CIDCO as a special planning authority for the one thousand two hundred sixty-two-hectare area of the New Aurangabad project. Through CIDCO, this city rapidly developed over a few years. Various social and religious activities were undertaken in the new settlements established here. Alongside this, with the vision of having a temple in this area, the Bhakti Trust was registered here in one thousand nine hundred eighty-three. Through this Trust, a formal application was submitted to the CIDCO administration for the construction of a temple. Subsequently, CIDCO provided five thousand square feet of land to this Trust. After purchasing this land from the CIDCO administration in June one thousand nine hundred eighty-five, a small temple was built and the Ganesh idol was consecrated here on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Jayanti on twenty-six February one thousand nine hundred eighty-seven.

Initially, this small temple had a tin shed in front of it. As the fame of this temple spread far and wide day by day, many devotees began to visit for darshan. Against this backdrop, in two thousand ten, the Board of Trustees undertook the renovation of the temple. With the cooperation of devotees and generous individuals from the area, the work on this temple and its front assembly hall was completed in two years. This temple stands three feet above the ground. One enters the assembly hall by climbing six to seven steps. The assembly hall here is in the form of an ardhamandapa, with walls two to two and a half feet high on all sides, topped with marble pillars. All these pillars are connected by marble arches. The temple comprises an assembly hall, a sanctum sanctorum, and a circumambulatory path.

Outside the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, a small brass idol of Ganesh is placed on a chowrang. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, a beautiful black stone idol of Ganesh is consecrated on a marble platform. The crown, eyes, trunk, and teeth on the idol are entirely made of silver. This idol has a left-facing trunk and is approximately two and a half feet tall. To the right of the idol is a small brass idol of a mouse holding a modak in its hand. The prabhavali behind the Ganesh idol also features exquisite craftsmanship, with two mice carved upon it. The exterior design of this temple appears to be of the South Indian style. Distinctive artistry is visible on the tall shikhara above the sanctum sanctorum.

Every day, from six to seven in the morning, the Ganesh here is worshipped with due rituals. In the evening at seven o’clock, the evening aarti is performed. On every Sankashti Chaturthi, a Sahasravartan of Atharvashirsha is performed here, followed by the Sankashti aarti after moonrise. On Angaraki Chaturdashi, devotees throng here from early morning. During this time, devotees are offered milk, bananas, and sabudana khichadi as a light meal. After moonrise, a Maha-aarti and Mahaprasad are offered. During Ganesh Utsav, various religious programs are held here. At this time, the temple and its surroundings are adorned with attractive lighting. The Maghi Ganesh Utsav is also celebrated here with great enthusiasm. During both these festivals, the temple is crowded with devotees for darshan. In addition, many other festivals like Shri Ram Navami and Krishna Janmotsav are celebrated here. The Trust also organizes Bhajan Mahotsav, Ganesh Yag, Satyavinayak Puja, occasional festivals, and Katha-Kirtan every year.

The Trust’s three-story building adjacent to the temple houses three halls. Here, along with various religious programs, yoga classes, Bharatanatyam, and other training classes are held. These halls are made available to local residents at reasonable rates for small events. The Trust also undertakes various social initiatives. A few years ago, the Trust donated five lakh rupees to the state government under a water conservation program. Five lakh rupees have also been contributed by the Trust to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. During the COVID pandemic, the temple distributed food grains to many. Devotees can have darshan of Ganesh in this temple daily from five in the morning until nine at night.

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