Prasanna Shree Riddhi Siddhi Ganesh Temple Pandharpur Road, Mangalwedha, Mangalwedha

The city and taluka of Mangalwedha, known in ancient times as Mahamandaleshwar and Mangalveshtak, is considered the land of saints. As the former capital of the Kalachuri king Bijjala, this city possesses a rich religious and historical heritage. In this land, sanctified by the presence of the supreme devotee of Vitthal, Damajipant, as well as Saint Chokhamela and Saint Kanhopatra, the newest and most famous religious site is the Riddhi-Siddhi Ganesh Temple. Established in the year 2024, this magnificent temple has become a center of attraction for both devotees and tourists alike.

The story behind the construction of this temple is a unique tale of fulfilling a parents’ dream. The temple was built by Ashok Koli, a devotee of Lord Ganesha. His parents were deeply religious. While they were building their home in Mangalwedha, they discovered an idol of Lord Ganesha with his trunk turned to the right during the excavation. They shared this information with a Brahmin scholar, who told them that Lord Ganesha had blessed them with a divine vision and advised them to build a temple on that spot and consecrate the idol. Accordingly, in 1983, Kashibai Bajirao Koli and her daughter-in-law Parubai Bhagwan Koli began the construction of the temple. Their dream of building the temple was later fulfilled by Ashok Koli and his wife, Lata.

It is said that the construction of the temple proceeded as funds became available. The architectural work was carried out by Mohanlal Sompura, a master craftsman from Mundara village in the Pali district of Rajasthan, who resided in Mangalwedha for about 40 years. Ashok Koli mentions that he completed the work on his parents’ insistence, overcoming many challenges.

Standing on a 40-guntha plot on the Mangalwedha-Pandharpur road, this temple has been constructed according to the principles of Vastu Shastra. It is built using Kumbhari stone from Makrana, Rajasthan. The concept of the temple is based on the theme of Lord Ganesha going in a grand procession to meet his parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. As the procession reaches the palace of Shiva and Parvati, they are welcomed at the entrance by the Sun-Mouse and Moon-Mouse. Located slightly above the parking area, the temple courtyard features a well with a beautiful fountain. Additionally, the courtyard houses two Ashtasiddhi Mangal lamp pillars and two Tulsi Vrindavans. Eight auspicious symbols—Om, Shri, Swastika, Shankha, Trishul, Lotus, Lamp, and Mangal Kalash—are carved onto the lamp pillars. The architecture of the temple resembles a royal palace. The large marble boundary wall surrounding the temple features ornate windows and a row of sculptures of elephants, horses, and camels at the base.

The two-storied entrance gate is flanked by guardian statues and welcoming elephant sculptures. An idol of Lord Ganesha is placed on the second floor of the entrance. The boundary walls surrounding the temple feature a decorative railing at the top. This entrance leads into the courtyard in front of the temple. The entire temple is paved with marble, and all four sides feature corridors with niches containing idols of various deities. These include Saint Dnyaneshwar, Panchmukhi Maruti, Tirupati Balaji with Padmavati, Lakshminarayan, the Ashtavinayakas, Vitthal-Rukmini, Saraswati, the Shiva family, Renuka Mata, Shri Ram and Sita, Mahalakshmi, Khandoba, Dattatreya-form Gajanan Maharaj, and Gautam Swami.

In the center of the courtyard, on a high pedestal, stands the Riddhi Siddhi Ganesh Temple. The pedestal features a row of elephant carvings. The temple structure consists of a porch (Mukhamandap), a main hall (Sabhamandap), and the inner sanctum (Garbhagriha). One enters the porch after climbing six steps. The porch and the main hall are open-style. Every pillar in the porch and hall is connected by arched designs. These pillars are adorned with carvings of musicians and dancers at the top. In the enclosed sanctum, on a high diamond-shaped pedestal, sits the right-trunked Ganesha idol, flanked by idols of Riddhi and Siddhi. It is said that because the temple faces west, the rays of the setting sun fall directly into the sanctum where the Ganesha idol is placed.

The temple complex houses a total of 56 deities and idols of saints from various castes and religions, alongside the main Riddhi-Siddhi Mahaganapati idol. The consecration of all these idols was performed with due rituals on the auspicious day of 14 February 2024. The Kalasharohan and flag-hoisting ceremonies were conducted under the guidance of Acharya Vedmurti Prasad Joshi and Acharya Vedmurti Hrishikesh Joshi of the Shri Vitthal Rukmini Veda Pathshala, Mumbai. On this occasion, a three-day religious and cultural program was organized from 12 to 14 February.

The temple attracts a large number of devotees and tourists. During Ganesh Chaturthi, Angarki Chaturthi, Ganesh Jayanti, and the Ganesh Utsav period, the temple is crowded with devotees. Rituals such as Ganesh Yaga, Mahapuja, and Durvarchan Puja are performed at the temple, for which devotees must register in advance. The temple is open for darshan daily from 6:00 AM to 9:40 PM. The daily schedule includes Puja and Aarti at 7:00 AM, Mahanaivedya at 11:45 AM, evening Aarti at 7:00 PM, and Shejarti at 9:30 PM.

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